Dell Dimension 3100C - Manual (Page 129)

Glossary 129
SXGA — super-extended graphics array — A video
standard for video cards and controllers that supports
resolutions up to 1280 x 1024.
SXGA+ — super-extended graphics array plus — A
video standard for video cards and controllers that
supports resolutions up to 1400 x 1050.
SYSTEM BOARD — The main circuit board in your
computer. Also known as the motherboard.
SYSTEM SETUP — A utility that serves as an interface
between the computer hardware and the operating
system. System setup allows you to configure user-
selectable options in the BIOS, such as date and time or
system password. Unless you understand what effect the
settings have on the computer, do not change the settings
for this program.
SYSTEM TRAY — See notification area.
T
TAPI — telephony application programming interface
— Enables Windows programs to operate with a wide
variety of telephony devices, including voice, data, fax,
and video.
TEXT EDITOR — A program used to create and edit files
that contain only text; for example, Windows Notepad
uses a text editor. Text editors do not usually provide word
wrap or formatting functionality (the option to underline,
change fonts, and so on).
TRAVEL MODULE — A plastic device designed to fit
inside the module bay of a portable computer to reduce
the weight of the computer.
U
UPS — uninterruptible power supply — A backup
power source used when the electrical power fails or drops
to an unacceptable voltage level. A UPS keeps a computer
running for a limited amount of time when there is no
electrical power. UPS systems typically provide surge
suppression and may also provide voltage regulation.
Small UPS systems provide battery power for a few
minutes to enable you to shut down your computer.
USB — universal serial bus — A hardware interface for
a low-speed device such as a USB-compatible keyboard,
mouse, joystick, scanner, set of speakers, printer,
broadband devices (DSL and cable modems), imaging
devices, or storage devices. Devices are plugged directly in
to a 4-pin socket on your computer or in to a multi-port
hub that plugs in to your computer. USB devices can be
connected and disconnected while the computer is turned
on, and they can also be daisy-chained together.
UTP — unshielded twisted pair — Describes a type of
cable used in most telephone networks and some
computer networks. Pairs of unshielded wires are twisted
to protect against electromagnetic interference, rather
than relying on a metal sheath around each pair of wires to
protect against interference.
UXGA — ultra extended graphics array — A video
standard for video cards and controllers that supports
resolutions up to 1600 x 1200.
V
VIDEO CONTROLLER — The circuitry on a video card
or on the system board (in computers with an integrated
video controller) that provides the video capabilities—in
combination with the monitor—for your computer.
VIDEO MEMOR Y — Memory that consists of memory
chips dedicated to video functions. Video memory is
usually faster than system memory. The amount of video
memory installed primarily influences the number of
colors that a program can display.
VIDEO MODE — A mode that describes how text and
graphics are displayed on a monitor. Graphics-based
software, such as Windows operating systems, displays in
video modes that can be defined as x horizontal pixels by y
vertical pixels by z colors. Character-based software, such
as text editors, displays in video modes that can be
defined as x columns by y rows of characters.
VIDEO RESOLUTION — See resolution.