A+ Vocab Flashcards
The path where the operating system is installed.
%SystemRoot%
Ethernet LAN designed to run on twisted pair cabling. Runs on 10 megabits per second. Max length for cabling between NIC and the switch is 100 meters. Uses baseband signaling.
10BaseT
Ethernet cabling system designed to run at 100 megabits per second on twisted pair cabling. Uses baseband signaling.
100BaseT
Gigabit Ethernet on UTB
1000BaseT
File-naming convention that specified a max of eight characters for a filename and 3 characters for extension. Has been replaced by LFN (long filename) support
8.3 naming system
Wireless networking standard that operates in the 5-GHz band with a theoretical max throughput of 54 Mbps.
802.11a
Wireless networking standard that operates in the 2.4-GHz band with a theoretical max throughput of 11 Mbps
802.11b
Wireless networking standard that operates in the 2.4-GHz band with a theoretic max throughput of 54 Mbps and is backward compatible with 802.11b
802.11g
Wireless networking standard that can operate in both 2.4-GHZ and 5-GHz bands and uses multiple in/multiple out (MIMO) to achieve a theoretical max throughput of 100+ Mbps
802.11n
Sound card standard for lower-end audio devies; created when most folks listened to stereo sound at best.
AC’97
Power management specification that far surpasses its predecessor, APM, by providing support for hot-swappable devies and better control of power modes
ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface)
Type of liquid crystal display (LCD) that replaced the passive matrix technology used in most portable computer displays. Also called TFT (thin film transistor).
active matrix
On a hard drive, primary partition that contains an operating system
active partition
Circuitry built into PC power supplies to reduce harmonics
active PFC (power factor correction)
Decentralized wireless network mode, otherwise known as peer-to-peer mode, where each wireless node is in meshed contact with every other node
ad hoc mode
Set of wires leading from the CPU to the memory controller chip (traditionally the Northbridge) that enables the CPU to address RAM and I/O addressing. On current CPUs with built-in memory controllers, refers to the internal electronic channel from the microprocessor to RAM, along which the address of memory storage locations are transmitted.
address bus
Total amount of memory address that an address bus can contain
address space
Fully digital, dedicated connection to the telephone system that provides average download speeds of 7 Mbps and upload speeds of 512 Kbps.
ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line)
A block cipher created in the late 1990’s that uses 128-bit block size and a 128-, 192-, or 256-bit key size. Practically uncrackable
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
32/64-bit expansion slot designed by Intel specifically for video that runs at 66 MHz and yields a throughput of at least 254 Mbps. Later versions (2x, 4x, 8x) give substantially higher throughput
AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)
CPU logic circuits that perform basic arithmetic
ALU (arithmetic logic unit)
CPU and chipset manufacturer that competes with Intel. Produces the popular Phenom, Athlon, Sempron, Turion, and Duron microprocessors; also produces video card processors under its ATI brand.
AMD (Advanced Micro Devices)
Major producer of BIOS software for motherboards, as well as many other computer-related components and software
AMI (American Megatrends, Inc.)
Proprietary slot used on some motherboards to provide a sound interference-free connection for modems, sound cards, and NICs.
AMR (audio modem riser)
In computer imaging, blending effect that smooths sharp contrasts between two regions- e.g., jagged lines or different colors. Reduces jagged edges of text or objects. In voice signal processing, process of removing or smoothing out spurious frequencies from waveforms produced by converting digital signals back to analog.
anti-aliasing
Software definition that describes when operating system calls for application software; conventions defining how a service is invoked.
API (application programming interface)
Feature of Windows that automatically assigns an IP address to the system when the client cannot obtain an IP address automatically
APIPA (Automated Private IP Addressing)
BIOS routines that enable the CPU to turn on and off selected peripherals
APM (Advanced Power Management)
To copy programs and date onto a relatively inexpensive storage medium *disk, tape, etc.) for long-term retention
archive
Attribute of a file that shows whether the file has been backed up since the last change. Each time a file is opened, changed, or saved, the * bit is turned on. Some types of backups turn off this * bit to indicate that a good backup of the file exists on tape.
archive attribute
Protocol in the TCP/IP suite used with the command-line utility of the same name to determine the MAC address that corresponds to a particular IP address.
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)
Industry-standard 8-bit characters used to define text characters, consisting of 96 upper- and lowercase letters, plus 32 nonprinting control characters, each of which is numbered. These numbers were designed to achieve uniformity among computer devices for printing and the exchange of simple text documents.
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)
Windows XP tool designed to recover a badly corrupted Windows system; similar to the ERD in Windows 2000
ASR (Automated System Recovery)
Command used to view the specific properties of a file; can also be used to modify or remove file properties, such as read-only, system, or archive.
attrib.exe
File included on some media that automatically launches a program or installation routine when the media is inserted/attached to a system.
autorun.inf
Type of power supply able to detect the voltage of a particular outlet and adjust accordingly
auto-switching power supply
Set of wires that connects the CPU to Level 2 cache. First appearing int he Pentium Pro, all modern CPUs have it. Some buses run at the full speed of the CPU, whereas others run at a fraction.
backside bus
Piece of the spectrum occupied by some form of signal, such as television, voices, or fax date. Signals require a certain size and location of it to be transmitted. The higher it is, the faster the signal transmission, allowing for more complex signals such as audio or video.
Bandwidth
Total number of SIMMs or DIMMs that can be accessed simultaneously by the chipset. The “width” of the external data bus divided by the “width” of the SIMM or DIMM sticks. DIMM slots that must be populated to activate dual- or triple-channel memory.
bank
Hard drive partitioned in the “classic” way with the master boot record (MBR) and partition table
basic disk
One analog cycle on a telephone line.
baud
A Command-line tool that enables you to view the BCD store, which lists the Windows boot options.
bcdedit
Number of colors a video card is capable of producing. Common ones are 16-bit and 32-bit, representing 65,536 colors and 16.7 million colors, respectively.
bit depth
Drive encryption software offered in Windows Vista/7 Ultimate and Enterprise editions. Requires a special chip to validate hardware status and to ensure that the computer hasn’t been hacked.
BitLocker Drive Encryption
To initiate an automatic routing that clears the memory, loads the operating system, and prepares the computer for use.
boot
File that contains information about the various operating systems installed on the system as well as instructions for how to actually load (bootstrap) them.
Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file
First sector on a PC hard drive or floppy disk, track 0. Tells the computer to load whatever program is found there. The a system disk is read, the program in the * record directs the computer to the root directory to load the OS.
boot sector
Text file used during the boot process that provides a list of all OSs currently installed and available for ntldr (NT Loader). Also tells where each OS is located on the system. Used in Windows XP and earlier Microsoft OSs.
boot.ini
Windows Vista/7’s Boot Manager
bootmgr
A Windows Recovery Environment troubleshooting and repair tool that repairs the master boot record, booth sector, or BCD store. It replaces the fixboot and fixmbr Recovery Console commands used in Windows XP and earlier OSs.
bootrec
Segment of code in a system’s BIOS that scans for an operating system, looks specifically for a valid boot sector, and, when one is found, hands control over to the boot sector; then the removes itself from memory
bootsrap loader.
A device that connects two networks and passes traffic between them based only on the node address, so that traffic between nodes on one network does not appear on other networks.
bridge
Inability of a source device to provide CD burner with a constant stream of data while burning a CD-R or CD-RW
buffer underrun
Usually seen in mobos supporting more than four sticks of RAM, required to address interference issues caused by the additional sticks
buffered/registered DRAM
Programming error that causes a program or a computer system to perform erratically, produce incorrect results, or crash
bug
Critical failure usually associated with manufacturing defects
burn-in failure
Series of wires connecting two or more separate electronic devices, enabling those devices to communicate.
bus
Circuitry allowing devices to avoid conflict on the external data bus
bus mastering
Network configuration wherein all computers connect to the network via a central bus cable.
bus topology
Short for cabinet files. These files are compressed and most commonly used during OS installation to store many smaller files, such as device drivers.
CAB files
Special area of RAM that stores the data most frequently accessed from the hard drive. Can optimize the use of your systems.
Cache (disk)
Special section of fast memory, usually built into the CU, used by the onboard logic to store information most frequently accessed by the CPU
Cache (L1, L2, L3, etc.)
Type of touchscreen that uses electrical current in your body to determine movement of your fingers across the screen.
capacitive touchscreen
Uppermost level of PCMCIA services. The ** recognizes the function of a particular PC Card and provides the specialized drivers necessary to make the card work
card services
32-bit PC cards that can support up to eight devices on each card. Electrically incompatible with earlier PC cards
CardBus
Wire; a TIA/EIA standard for UTP wiring that can operate at up to 100 megabits per second.
CAT 5
Wire; a TIA/EIA standard for UTP wiring that can operate at up to 1 gigabit per second.
CAT 5e
Wire; a TIA/EIA standard for UTP wiring that can operate at up to 10 gigabits per second.
CAT 6
Wire; augmented CAT 6 UTP wiring that can supports 10GBaseT networks at the full 100 meter distance between a node and a switch
CAT 6a
Light technology used in LCDs and flatbed scanners. Use relatively little power for the amount of light they produce
CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp)
Shorthand for “change directory”. Allows you to change the focus of the command prompt from one directory to another
cd (chdir)
Special format used for earlier CD-ROMs and all audio CDs; divides data into variable length tracks. A good format to use for audio tracks but terrible for data because of lack of error checking.
CDDA (CD-Digital Audio)
Common remote access protocol; the serving system challenges the remote client, usually by means of asking for a password
CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol)
Feature offered in some chassis that trips a switch when the chassis is opened.
chassis intrusion detection
Electronic chips, specially designed to work together, that handle all the low-level functions of a PC.
chipset
Hard drive error detection and, to a certain extent, correction utility in Windows. Originally a DOS command; also the executable for the graphical Error-checking tool
chkdsk (CheckDisk)
Single cycle to the clock wire of the CPU
clock cycle
CPU that takes the incoming clock signal and multiplies it inside the CPU to let the internal circuitry of the CPU run faster
clock-multiplying CPU
Speed at which a CPU executes instructions, measured in MHz or GHz. In modern CPUs, the internal speed is a multiple of the external speed.
clock speed
A special wire that, when charged, tells the CPU that another piece of information is waiting to be processed
clock (CLK) wire
Software that is solely controlled by its creator or distributor
closed source
Basic unit of stage on a floppy or hard disk. Multiple sectors are contained in a cluster. When windows stores a file on a disk, it writes those files into dozens or even hundreds of contiguous *. The FAT or MFT tracks how the files are distributed among the * on the disk.
cluster
Nonvolatile RAM that holds information about the most basic parts of the PC.
CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor)
Proprietary slot used on some mobos to provide a sound interference-free connection for modems, sounds cards, and NICs.
CNR (communications and networking rise)
Cabling in which an internal conductor is surrounded by another, outer conductor, thus sharing the same axis
coaxial cable
Set of symbols representing characters or instructions in a computer program.
code
Software that compresses or decompresses media streams
codec (compressor/decompressor)
Term to define a scanner’s ability to produce color, hue, and shade
color depth
Serial communications port available on your computer
COM port(s)
User interface for an OS devoid of all graphical trappings
command-line interface
Text prompt for entering commands
command prompt
One of the older but still popular flash media formats. Its interface uses a simplified PC Card bus, so it also supports I/O devices.
CompactFlash (CF)
Occurs when a system devices fails due to a manufacturing or some other type of defect
component failure
Applet in Window’s Administrative Tools that contains several useful snap-ins, such as Device Manager and Disk Management
Computer Management
Four parts of a computer’s operation
input, processing, output, and storage
Battery charger that contains intelligent circuitry that prevents portable computer batteries from being overcharged and damaged.
conditioning charger
File containing two or more separate, compressed tracks, typically an audio track and a moving-picture track. Also known as a wrapper
container file
Small menu brought up by right-clicking on an object in Windows
context menu
Card adapter that connects devices, such as a disk drive, to the main computer bus/mobo
controller card
Measure of how sharply a single pixel appears on a CRT; a monitor with poor * produces images that are not sharply defined.
convergence
Type of backup similar to a normal or full backup, in that all selected files on a system are backed up. This type of backup does not change the archive bit of the files being backed up.
copy backup
Command in the command-line interface for making a copy of a file and pasting it in another location
copy command
Used to track data about a particular object when using the Performance console in Windows XP
counter
“Brain” of the computer. Microprocessor that handles primary calculations for the computer.
CPU (central processing unit)
Very accurate mathematical method used to check for errors in long streams of transmitted data.
CRC (cyclic redundancy check)
Passive device added to populate unused banks in a system that uses Rambus RIMMS.
C-RIMM (continuity RIMM)
Technology that combines the power of multiple AMD graphics cards in a system
Crossfire
Special UTP cable used to connect hubs or to connect network cards without a hub. They reverse the sending and receiving wire pairs from one end to the other.
crossover cable
Networking scheme used by wireless devices to transmit data while avoiding data collision, which wireless nodes have difficulty detecting.
CSMA/CA (carrier sense multiple access/collision detection)
Single track on all the platters in a hard drive.
Cylinder
Method of connecting several devices along a bus and managing the signals for each device.
daisy-chaining
System of organizing data according to its sensitivity. Common classifications include public, highly confidential, and top secret.
data classification
A feature of cellular data systems that enables the signal to jump from cell tower to cell tower and from your provider to another provider without obvious notice
data roaming
Scheme that directs how an OS stores and retrieves data on and off a drive. Used interchangeably with the term file system.
data structure
D-shaped connectors used for a variety of connections in the PC and networking world. Can be male or female and have a varying number of pins or sockets. Also called D-sub, D-subminiature, or D-shell connectors.
DB connectors
A two- or three-row D-sub connector (female) used for 10Base5 networks, MIDI/joysticks, and analog video.
DB-15 connector
D-sub connector (female), commonly referred to as a parallel port connector.
DB-25 connector
Type of DRAM that makes two processes for every clock cycle.
DDR SDRAM (double data rate SDRAM)
Type of SDRAM that sends 4 bits of data in every clock cycle.
DDR2 SDRAM
Type of SDRAM that transfers data at twice the rate of DDR2 SDRAM.
DDR3 SDRAM
To detect, trace, and eliminate errors in computer programs.
debug
Machine that is not used for any client functions, only server functions.
dedicated server
In a TCP/IP network, the nearest router to a particular host. This router’s IP address is part of the necessary TCP/IP configuration for communicating with multiple networks using IP.
default gateway
List of virus signatures that an antivirus program can recognize.
definition file
Procedure in which all the files on a hard disk are rewritten on disk so that all parts of each file reside in contiguous clusters. The result is an improvement in disk speed during retrieval operations.
defragmentation (defrag)
Procedure used to break up the electromagnetic fields that can build up on the cathode ray tube of a monitor; involves running a current through a wire loop. Most monitors feature a manual degaussing tool.
degauss
Portable computer that offers some of the features of a full-fledged desktop computer but with a much smaller footprint and lower weight.
desktop extender
Program used by the operating system to control communications between the computer and peripherals.
device driver
Utility that enables techs to examine and configure all the hardware and drivers in a Windows PC.
Device Manager
Protocol that enables a * server to set TCP/IP settings automatically for a * client.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
Similar to an incremental backup. Backs up the files that have been changed since the last backup. This type of backup does not change the state of the archive bit.
differential backup
Form in which a public key is sent from a Web server to a Web browser so that the browser can decrypt the data sent by the server.
digital certificate
Devices that connect to a home network, discover each other, and share media. In theory, * devices should work with minimal setup or fuss, even if sourced from different manufacturers.
Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) devices
A driver designed specifically to work with Windows that has been tested and certified by Microsoft to work stably with Windows.
digitally signed driver
A tablet that enables users to paint, ink, pencil, or otherwise draw on a computer.
digitizer
32- or 64-bit type of DRAM packaging, similar to SIMMs, with the distinction that each side of each tab inserted into the system performs a separate function. DIMMs come in a variety of sizes, with 184- and 240-pin being the most common on desktop computers.
DIMM (dual inline memory module)
Standard straight-wire antennas that provide the most omnidirectional function.
dipole antennas
Command used in the command-line interface to display the entire contents of the current working directory.
dir command
Another name for a folder.
directory
Centralized index that each PC accesses to locate resources in the domain.
directory service
Set of APIs enabling programs to control multimedia, such as sound, video, and graphics. Used in Windows Vista and Windows 7 to draw the Aero desktop.
DirectX
Utility built into Windows that can help users clean up their disks by removing temporary Internet files, deleting unused program files, and more.
Disk Cleanup
Taking a PC and making a duplicate of the hard drive, including all data, software, and configuration files, and transferring it to another PC. (See image installation.)
disk cloning
Type of disk mirroring using two separate controllers rather than one; faster than traditional mirroring.
disk duplexing
Snap-in available with the Microsoft Management Console that enables techs to configure the various disks installed in a system; available in the Computer Management Administrative Tool.
Disk Management
Process by which data is written simultaneously to two or more disk drives. Read and write speed is decreased but redundancy in case of catastrophe is increased.
disk mirroring
Process by which data is spread among multiple (at least two) drives. Increases speed for both reads and writes of data. Considered RAID level 0 because it does not provide fault tolerance.
disk striping
Method for providing fault tolerance by writing data across multiple drives and then including an additional drive, called a parity drive, that stores information to rebuild the data contained on the other drives. Requires at least three physical disks: two for the data and a third for the parity drive. This provides data redundancy at RAID levels 3–5 with different options.
disk striping with parity
Hard drive that is constantly being accessed due to lack of available system memory. When system memory runs low, a Windows system will utilize hard disk space as “virtual” memory, thus causing an unusual amount of hard drive access.
disk thrashing
A fully functioning command-line partitioning tool.
diskpart
Tool in Windows XP and Windows 7 used to adjust display settings, including resolution, refresh rate, driver information, and color depth. (For the comparable tool in Windows Vista, see Personalization applet.)
Display applet
Technique that some PC hardware devices use to transfer data to and from the memory without using the CPU.
DMA (direct memory access) modes
Resides between the RAM and the devices and handles DMA requests.
DMA controller
TCP/IP name resolution system that translates a host name into an IP address.
DNS (domain name service)
ecording each troubleshooting job: what the problem was, how it was fixed, and other helpful information. (One of the steps a technician uses to solve a problem.)
document findings, actions, and outcomes
Groupings of users, computers, or networks. In Microsoft networking, a * is a group of computers and users that share a common account database and a common security policy.
domain
Network that eliminates the need for logging on to multiple servers by using domain controllers to hold the security database for all systems.
domain-based network
Value relating to CRTs, showing the diagonal distance between phosphors measured in millimeters.
dot pitch
Specification that can reduce CRT power consumption by 75 percent by reducing/eliminating video signals during idle periods.
DPMS (display power-management signaling)
Memory used to store data in most personal computers. DRAM stores each bit in a “cell” composed of a transistor and a capacitor. Because the capacitor in a DRAM cell can only hold a charge for a few milliseconds, DRAM must be continually refreshed, or rewritten, to retain its data.
DRAM (dynamic random access memory or dynamic RAM)
CMOS program enabling you to control the ATA security mode feature set.
DriveLock
Introduced with DirectX 3.0, * is a command set used to create positional audio, or sounds that appear to come from in front, in back, or to the side of a user. Merged with DirectSound into DirectAudio in DirectX 8. (See also DirectX.)
DS3D (DirectSound3D)
High-speed Internet connection technology that uses a regular telephone line for connectivity. * comes in several varieties, including asynchronous (A*) and synchronous (S*), and many speeds. Typical home-user * connections are A* with a download speed of 7 Mbps and an upload speed of 512 Kbps.
DSL (digital subscriber line)
Refers to a computer with two operating systems installed, enabling users to choose which operating system to load on boot. Can also refer to kicking a device a second time just in case the first time didn’t work.
dual boot
Form of DDR, DDR2, and DDR3 memory access used by many motherboards that requires two identical sticks of DDR, DDR2, or DDR3 RAM.
dual-channel memory
Manufacturing technique for increasing display updates by refreshing two lines at a time.
dual-scan passive matrix
Software used by Windows to govern the connection between the modem and the ISP.
DUN (Dial-up Networking)
Optical disc format that provides for 4–17 GB of video or data storage.
DVD (digital versatile disc)
Special video connector designed for digital-to-digital connections; most commonly seen on PC video cards and LCD monitors. Some versions also support analog signals with a special adapter.
DVI (Digital Visual Interface)
Diagnostic tool for getting information about and testing a computer’s DirectX version.
dxdiag (DirectX Diagnostics Tool)
Special feature of Windows that enables users to span a single volume across two or more drives. ** do not have partitions; they have volumes. ** can be striped, mirrored, and striped or mirrored with parity.
dynamic disks
Special software, embedded on hard drives, that constantly scans the drives for bad sectors.
ECC (error correction code)
RAM that uses special chips to detect and fix memory errors. Commonly used in high-end servers where data integrity is crucial.
ECC RAM/DRAM (error correction code DRAM)
User’s combined permissions granted by multiple groups.
effective permissions
Firmware created by Intel and HP that replaced traditional 16-bit BIOS and added several new enhancements.
EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface)
Encryption tool found in NTFS 5 and later.
EFS (encrypting file system)
The voltage differential between any two objects, one of which is frequently ground or earth, resulting in a degree of attraction for the electrons to move from one of the objects to the other. A large difference between a person and a doorknob, for example, can lead to a shocking experience when the two touch. See electrostatic discharge (ESD).
electric potential
Electrical interference from one device to another, resulting in poor performance of the device being interfered with. Examples: Static on your TV while running a blow dryer, or placing two monitors too close together and getting a “shaky” screen.
electromagnetic interference (EMI)
Uncontrolled rush of electrons from one object to another. A real menace to PCs, as it can cause permanent damage to semiconductors.
electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Saves critical boot files and partition information and is the main tool for fixing boot problems in Windows 2000.
emergency repair disk (ERD)
Windows graphical tool that scans and fixes hard drive problems. Often referred to by the name of the executable, chkdsk, or Check Disk.
Error-checking
Serial ATA-based connector for external hard drives and optical drives.
eSATA
Agreement that accompanies a piece of software, to which the user must agree before using the software. Outlines the terms of use for the software and also lists any actions on the part of the user that violate the agreement.
EULA (End User License Agreement)
Feature of Event Viewer’s Security section that creates an entry in the Security Log when certain events happen, such as a user logging on.
event auditing
Utility made available as an MMC snap-in that enables users to monitor various system events, including network bandwidth usage and CPU utilization.
Event Viewer
Set of wires going to the CPU, governed by the ** crystal, directly connected to expansion slots of varying types (PCI, AGP, PCIe, etc.).
expansion bus
Controls the speed of the expansion bus.
expansion bus crystal
Connectors on a motherboard that enable users to add optional components to a system.
expansion slots
Type of nonbootable hard disk partition. May only have one extended partition per disk. Purpose is to divide a large disk into smaller partitions, each with a separate drive letter.
extended partition
Authentication wrapper that EAP-compliant applications can use to accept one of many types of authentication. While EAP is a general-purpose authentication wrapper, its only substantial use is in wireless networks.
Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)
Primary data highway of all computers. Everything in your computer is tied either directly or indirectly to the external data bus.
external data bus (EDB)
File allocation table that uses 16 bits for addressing clusters. Used as the primary hard drive format on DOS and early Windows 95 machines; currently used with smaller (2 GB or less) capacity flash media devices.
FAT16
File allocation table that uses 32 bits for addressing clusters. Commonly used with Windows 98 and Windows Me systems. Some Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP systems also use *, although most modern Windows systems use the more robust NTFS. Default format for flash media devices larger than 2 GB.
FAT32
A Microsoft-proprietary file system that breaks the 4-GB file-size barrier, supporting files up to 16 exabytes (EB) and a theoretical partition limit of 64 zettabytes (ZB). Envisioned for use with flash media devices with a capacity exceeding 2 TB.
FAT64 (exFAT)
Portion of an Ethernet frame used for error checking, most commonly with the CRC algorithm.
FCS (Frame Check Sequence)
Disk-partitioning utility used in DOS and Windows 9x systems.
FDISK
High-speed cable for transmitting data, made of high-purity glass sealed within an opaque tube. Much faster than conventional copper wire such as coaxial cable.
fiber-optic cable
Interconnection standard to send wide-band signals over a serialized, physically thin connector system. Serial bus developed by Apple and Texas Instruments; enables connection of 63 devices at speeds up to 800 megabits per second.
FireWire (IEEE 1394)
Embedded programs or code stored on a ROM chip. Generally OS-independent, thus allowing devices to operate in a wide variety of circumstances without direct OS support.
firmware
Motherboard form factor. Motherboards built in accordance with the * form factor are very small, much smaller than microATX motherboards.
FlexATX
Special CPU circuitry that handles complex numbers.
floating point unit (FPU)
Removable storage media that can hold between 720 KB and 1.44 MB of data.
floppy disk
System hardware that uses removable 3.5-inch disks as storage media.
floppy drive
Point at which a read/write head detects a change in magnetic polarity.
fux reversal
Producing sound by electronic emulation of various instruments to more-or-less produce music and other sound effects.
FM synthesis
Standard for the physical organization of motherboard components and motherboard size. Most common ** are ATX and BTX.
form factor
Command in the command-line interface used to format a storage device.
format command
Occurs when files and directories get jumbled on a fixed disk and are no longer contiguous. Can significantly slow down hard drive access times and can be repaired by using the defrag utility included with each version of Windows.
fragmentation
A data unit transferred across a network. Consist of several parts, such as the sending and receiving MAC addresses, the data being sent, and the * check sequence.
frame
Software that is distributed for free, with no license fee.
freeware
Wires that connect the CPU to the main system RAM. Generally running at speeds of 66–133 MHz. Distinct from the expansion bus and the backside bus, though it shares wires with the former.
frontside bus
Rules that enable two computers to talk to one another during a file transfer. Protocol used when you transfer a file from one computer to another across the Internet. FTP uses port numbers 20 and 21.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
Power source that uses chemical reactions to produce electricity. Lightweight, compact, and stable devices expected to replace batteries as the primary power source for portable PCs.
fuel cells
Any device that can send and receive data simultaneously.
full-duplex
USB standard that runs at 12 Mbps. Also known as USB 1.1.
Full-Speed USB
Ratio of increase of radio frequency output provided by an antenna, measured in decibels (dB).
gain
Component of Windows that utilizes the CPU rather than the printer to process a print job as a bitmapped image of each page.
GDI (graphical device interface)
