Dell Inspiron 3500 - Manual (Page 49)

NVRAM
Abbreviation for nonvolatile random-access memory. Memory that does not lose its contents when you turn off your computer. NVRAM is used for
maintaining the date, time, and system configuration information.
O
online access service
A service that typically provides access to the Internet, e-mail, bulletin boards, chat rooms, and file libraries.
OTP
Abbreviation for one-time programmable.
P
PAL
Abbreviation for phase alternating line. Standards for television found in many European countries. PAL is not compatible with NTSC, and is not
marketed, sold, or serviced in the United States.
parallel port
An I/O port used most often to connect a parallel printer to your computer. You can usually identify a parallel port on your computer by its 25-hole
connector.
parameter
A value or option that you specify to a program.
partition
A physical storage area on a hard-disk drive that is assigned to one or more logical storage areas known as logical drives. Each partition can
contain multiple logical drives.
After partitioning the hard-disk drive, you must logically format the drive.
See also logical formatting .
PC Card
Slightly larger than a credit card, a PC Card is a removable I/O card, such as a modem, LAN, SRAM, or flash memory card, that adheres to the
PCMCIA standards. PC Cards are sometimes referred to as PCMCIA cards.
PC Card Types
Because a type III card is thicker than type I and type II cards, it takes up the entire PC Card slot, although it uses only one PC Card connector.
PCI
Abbreviation for Peripheral Component Interconnect. A standard for local-bus implementation developed by Intel Corporation.
PCMCIA
Abbreviation for Personal Computer Memory Card International Association.
peripheral device
See device.
PIO
Abbreviation for Programmed I/O.
pixel
A single point on a video display. Pixels are arranged in rows and columns to create an image. A video resolution, such as 800 x 600, is
expressed as the number of pixels across by the number of pixels up and down.