Dell Inspiron 3500 - Manual (Page 50)

Plug and Play
An industry-standard specification that makes it easier to add devices to your personal computer. Plug and Play provides automatic installation
and configuration, compatibility with existing hardware, and dynamic support of mobile computing environments.
POST
Acronym for power-on self-test. Before the operating system loads when you turn on your computer, the POST tests various system components,
such as RAM, the disk drives, and the keyboard.
PS/2
Abbreviation for Personal System/2.
R
RAM
Acronym for random-access memory. The computer's primary temporary storage area for program instructions and data. Each location in RAM is
identified by a number called a memory address. Any information stored in RAM is lost when you turn off your computer.
read-only
A read-only file is one that you are prohibited from editing or deleting. A file can have read-only status if:
l Its read-only attribute is enabled.
l It resides on a physically write-protected diskette or on a diskette in a write-protected drive.
l It is located on a network in a directory to which the system administrator has assigned read-only rights to you.
readme file
A text file included with a software package or hardware product that contains information updating or supplementing the documentation for the
software or hardware. Typically, readme files provide installation information, describe new product enhancements or corrections that have not yet
been documented, and list known problems or other things you need to be aware of as you use the software or hardware.
refresh rate
The rate at which the monitor redraws the video image on the monitor screen. More precisely, the refresh rate is the frequency, measured in Hz, at
which the screen's horizontal lines are recharged (sometimes also referred to as its vertical frequency). The higher the refresh rate, the less video
flicker can be seen by the human eye.
resolution
See video resolution .
RFI
Abbreviation for radio frequency interference.
ROM
Acronym for read-only memory. Your computer contains some programs essential to its operation in ROM code. Unlike RAM, a ROM chip retains
its contents even after you turn off your computer. Examples of code in ROM include the program that initiates your computer's boot routine and the
POST.
rpm
Abbreviation for revolutions per minute.
RTC
Abbreviation for real-time clock. Battery-powered clock circuitry inside the computer that keeps the date and time after you turn off the computer.
S
SCSI
Acronym for small computer system interface. An I/O bus interface with faster data transmission rates than standard ports. You can connect up to
seven devices (15 for some newer SCSI types) to one SCSI interface.