Dell Precision 420 - Manual (Page 42)

byte
Eight contiguous bits of information; the basic data unit used by your computer.
C
C
Celsius
C-RIMM
continuity Rambus inline memory module. Rambus continuity modules are used to populate empty RIMM slots in some systems.
cache
To facilitate quicker data retrieval, a storage area for keeping a copy of data or instructions. For example, your computer's BIOS may cache ROM
code in faster RAM. Or a disk-cache utility may reserve RAM in which to store frequently accessed information from your computer's disk drives;
when a program makes a request to a disk drive for data that is in the cache, the disk-cache utility can retrieve the data from RAM faster than from
the disk drive.
card-edge connector
On the bottom of an expansion card, the metal-contact section that plugs into an expansion-card connector.
CD-ROM
compact disc read-only memory. CD-ROM drives use optical technology to read data from compact discs. Compact discs are read-only storage
devices; you cannot write new data to a compact disc with standard CD-ROM drives.
cm
centimeter(s)
CMOS
complementary metal-oxide semiconductor. In computers, CMOS memory chips are often used for NVRAM storage.
COMn
The device names for the first through fourth serial ports on your computer are COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4. The default interrupt for COM1
and COM3 is IRQ4, and the default interrupt for COM2 and COM4 is IRQ3. Therefore, you must be careful when you configure software that runs a
serial device so that you do not create an interrupt conflict.
component
As they relate to DMI, manageable components are operating systems, computer systems, expansion cards, or peripheral devices that are
compatible with DMI. Each component is made up of groups and attributes that are defined as relevant to that component.
config.sys file
The config.sys file (Windows 95 and MS-DOS only) is executed when you boot your computer (before running any commands in the
autoexec.bat file). This start-up file contains commands that specify which devices to install and which drivers to use. This file also contains
commands that determine how the operating system uses memory and controls files.
controller
A chip that controls the transfer of data between the microprocessor and memory or between the microprocessor and a peripheral device such as
a disk drive or the keyboard.
control panel
The part of the computer that contains indicators and controls, such as the power switch, hard-disk drive access indicator, and power indicator.
conventional memory
The first 640 KB of RAM. Conventional memory is found in all computers. Unless they are specially designed, MS-DOS programs are limited to
running in conventional memory.
coprocessor
A chip that relieves the computer's microprocessor of specific processing tasks. A math coprocessor, for example, handles numeric processing. A
graphics coprocessor handles video rendering. The Intel
® Pentium® microprocessor, for example, includes an integrated math coprocessor.