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Dell OptiPlex GX280 User Manual

Page 182

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devices to automatically recognize each other.

boot sequence —

Specifies the order of the devices from which the computer attempts to boot.

bootable CD —

A CD that you can use to start your computer. In case your hard drive is damaged or your computer has a

virus, ensure that you always have a bootable CD or floppy disk available. Your Drivers and Utilities or Resource CD is a

bootable CD.

bootable disk —

A disk that you can use to start your computer. In case your hard drive is damaged or your computer has a

virus, ensure that you always have a bootable CD or floppy disk available.

bps —

bits per second — The standard unit for measuring data transmission speed.

BTU —

British thermal unit — A measurement of heat output.

bus —

A communication pathway between the components in your computer.

bus speed —

The speed, given in MHz, that indicates how fast a bus can transfer information.

byte —

The basic data unit used by your computer. A byte is usually equal to 8 bits.

C

C —

Celsius — A temperature measurement system where 0° is the freezing point and 100° is the boiling point of water.

cache —

A special high-speed storage mechanism which can be either a reserved section of main memory or an independent

high-speed storage device. The cache enhances the efficiency of many processor operations.

L1 cache — Primary cache stored inside the processor.

L2 cache — Secondary cache which can either be external to the processor or incorporated into the processor

architecture.

carnet —

An international customs document that facilitates temporary imports into foreign countries. Also known as a

merchandise passport.

CD —

compact disc — An optical form of storage media, typically used for audio and software programs.

CD drive —

A drive that uses optical technology to read data from CDs.

CD player —

The software used to play music CDs. The CD player displays a window with buttons that you use to play a CD.

CD-R —

CD recordable — A recordable version of a CD. Data can be recorded only once onto a CD-R. Once recorded, the

data cannot be erased or written over.

CD-RW —

CD rewritable — A rewritable version of a CD. Data can be written to a CD-RW disc, and then erased and written

over (rewritten).

CD-RW drive —

A drive that can read CDs and write to CD-RW (rewritable CDs) and CD-R (recordable CDs) discs. You can

write to CD-RW discs multiple times, but you can write to CD-R discs only once.

CD-RW/DVD drive —

A drive, sometimes referred to as a combo drive, that can read CDs and DVDs and write to CD-RW

(rewritable CDs) and CD-R (recordable CDs) discs. You can write to CD-RW discs multiple times, but you can write to CD-R

discs only once.