Toshiba F15 User Manual

Page 313

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313

Glossary

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

format—(verb) To prepare a blank disk for use with the computer’s

operating system. Formatting creates a structure on the disk so the
operating system can write information to the disk or read
information from it.

frontside bus—The primary pathway (bus) between the CPU and the

computer’s main memory. Also called “system bus.” See also bus.

function keys—The keys labeled F1 through F12, typically located on

the keyboard. Their function is determined by the operating system
and/or individual programs.

gigabyte (GB)—A unit of data equal to 1,073,741,824 bytes (1024 x

1024 x 1024 bytes). See also byte.

ground—A conductor to which all components of an electric circuit are

connected. It has a potential of zero (0) volts, is connected to the
earth, and is the point of reference for voltages in the circuit.

hard disk—A storage device composed of a rigid platter or platters that

can be magnetically coded with data. Hard disks hold much more
information than diskettes and are used for long-term storage of
programs and data. The primary (or only) hard disk in a computer is
usually fixed, but some computers have secondary hard disks that
are removable. By default, the hard disk is referred to as drive C.

hardware—The physical components of a computer system. Compare

software.

Hibernation—A feature of many Toshiba notebook computers that

saves to the hard disk the current state of your work, including all
open files and programs, when you turn the computer off. When
you turn on the computer again, your work is returned to the same
state it was when the computer was turned off. See also Standby,
Suspend.

high-density diskette—A 3.5-inch diskette that holds 1.44 MB of data.