Computer Terminology

• ACPI (Anvanced Configuration and Power Interface). The ACPI specification defines a cross-platform designed to support many operating systems. ACPI defines a flexible and abstract hardware interface that provides a standard way to integrate power management features throughout a PC system, including hardware, operating system and application software. This enables the system to automatically turn ON and OFF periperalls such as CD-ROMs, network card, hard disk drives, and printers, as well as consumer devices connected to the PC such as VCRs, TVs, phones, and stereos. With this technology, periperalls will also be able to activated the PC. For example, inserting a tape into a VCR can turn on the PC, which could then activate a large-screen TV and high-fidelity sound system
• AGP (Accellerated Graphics Port). An interface specification that enables high-performance 3D graphics on mainstream PCs. AGP was designed to offer the necessary bandwidth and latency to perform texture mapping directly from system memory.

  Bus	Bus Frequency	Bandwidth	Data Transfer Rate
  PCI	33MHz	33MHz	133MByte/sec
  AGP 1X	66MHz	66MHz	266MByte/sec
  AGP 2X	66MHz	133Mhz	512MByte/sec
  AGP 4X	66MHz	266Mhz	1024Mbyte/sec

• BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). BIOS is set of routine that affect how the computer transfer data between computer components, such as memory, disk, and display adapter. The BIOS instructions are built into the computer's read only memory. BIOS parameter can be configured by user through the BIOS Setup program. The BIOS can be updated using the provided utility to copy a new BIOS file into the EEPROM.
• Bit (Binary Digit). Represents the smallest unit of data used by the computer. A bit can have one of two value: 0 or 1.
• Boot. Boot means to start the computer operating system by loading it into system memory. When the manual instructs you to "boot" your system (or computer), it means to turn ON your computer. "Reboot" means to restart your computer. When using Windows 95 or later, selecting "Restart" from "Start | Shut Down ..." will reboot your computer.
• Bus Master IDE.PIO (Programmable I/O) IDE requires that the CPU be involved in IDE access an waiting for mechanical events. Bus master IDE transfer data to/from the memory without interrupting the CPU. Bus master IDE driver and bus master IDE hard disk drive are required to support bus master IDE mode.
• Byte (Binary Term). One byte is a group of eight contiguous bits. A byte is used to represent a single alphanumeric character, punctuation mark, or other symbol.
• Com Port. Com is a logical device name used by to designate the computer serial ports. Pointing devices, modems, and infrared modules can be connected to COM ports. Each COM port is configured to use a different IRQ and address assignment.
• Concurrent PCI. Concurrent PCI maximizes system performance with simultaneous CPU, PCI and ISA bus activities. It includes multi-transaction timing, enhanced write performance, a passive release mechanism and support for PCI 2.1 compliant delayed transactions. Concurrent PCI provides increased bandwidth, reduces system latencies, improves video and audio performance, and improves processing of host based applications.
• CPU (Central Processing Unit). The CPU, sometimes called "Processor," actually functions as the "brain" of the computer. It interprets and executes program commands and processes data stored in memory. Currently, there are socket 370 (for Pentium III FC-PGA and Celeron PPGA), socket 7 (for Pentium, AMD, Cyrix, IBM), slot 1 (for Pentium II and III), slot 2 (for Xeon), and slot A (for AMD) processors. 
• Device Driver. A device driver is a special set of instructions that allows computer's operating system to communicate with devices such as VGA, audio, printer, or modem.
• DOS (Disk Operating System). DOS is the foundation on which all other programs and software applications operate, including Windows. DOS is responsible for allocating system resources such as memory, CPU time, disk space, and access to periperal devices. For this reason, DOS constitutes the basic interface between you and your computer. 
• DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). There are several different types of DRAM such as, EDO DRAM (Extended Data Output DRAM), SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM), and RDAM (Rambus DRAM).
• Flash ROM.  The flash ROM is designed to be a resident program and can be updated by a spesific programming method. Normally, the flash ROM is used for system BIOS which initiates hardware devices and sets up necesarry parameters for the OS. Since the content flash ROM can be modified, users are able to update the BIOS by themselves.
• IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics). IDE devices integrate the drive control circuitry directly on the drive itself, eliminating the need for a separate adapter card (in the case for SCSI devices). UltraDMA/33 IDE devices can achieve up to 33MB/Sec transfer.
• LPT Port (Line Printer Port). Logical device name reserved by DOS for the computer paralell ports. Each LPT port is configured to use a different IRQ and address assignment.
• System Disk.  A system disk contains the core file of an operating system and is used to boot up the operating system.
• ROM (Read Only Memory). ROM is nonvolatile memory used to store permanent programs (called firmware) used in certain computer components. Flash ROM (or EEPROM) can be reprogrammed with new programs (or BIOS).
• SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM). The SDRAM features a fully synchronous operation referenced to a positive edge clock whereby all operations are synchronized at a clock input which enables the coexistence of high performance and a simple user interface. SDRAM takes memory access away from the CPU's control; internal registers in the chips accept the request, and let the CPU do something else while the data requested is assembled for the next time the CPU talks to the memory. As their work on their own clock cycle, the rest of the system can be clocked faster. There is a version optimized for video cards, and main memory for motherboards.
• USB (Universal Serial Bus). A 4-pin serial cable bus that allows up to 127 plug and play computer peripherals such as keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner, printer, modem, and monitor to share a bandwidth through a host scheduled token based protocol. This allows attaching or detaching while the host and other peripherals are in operation. Support synchronous and asynchronous transfer types over the same set of wires up to 12Mbit/sec. USB 2.0 provides twice the transfer rate compared to USB 1.0 and competes with the 1394 standard.