| Bank | Collection of RAM that acts as a single device to the computer. Must be completely filled with the same type of RAM to work correctly. |
| bps | Bits Per Second. A measure of speed for modems, though most modems are now measured in kilobits (1024 bits). |
| BIOS | Basic Input/Output System. Stores information about hard drives and other external devices so that your CPU can talk to them. |
| Buffer | A place in RAM where data is temporarily stored for access by another component. For instance, often times you print to a buffer so that you can continue work on your computer while the printer gets its information from the buffer. |
| BUS | A system of circuits on the motherboard that allow the different components and the CPU to communicate with one another. |
| Cache | A small amount of super fast memory that stores frequently used program code for easy access by the CPU. |
| CD-ROM | Compact Disc Read Only Memory. A mass storage device (can store 650 megs+) that comes in the form of a Compact Disc. |
| CMOS | Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. CMOS chips store most of your BIOS information, such has number and types of hard disks and floppy disks, and the data and time. |
| COM Port | Serial device that computer hardware(like your mouse and modem) can use to communicate with the other devices of the computer. |
| CPU | Central Processing Unit. Functions as the heart of a system by controlling peripherals and performing mathematical functions required to run program code. |
| DIMM | Dual Inline Memory Module. Must be inserted into a DIMM Bank, and allows for faster memory access than SIMMs. |
| DRAM | Dynamic Random Access Memory. Most commonly referred to as just "RAM", the slowest variety in comparison to EDO DRAM and SDRAM. |
| Disk Controller | When connected to a disk drive via a ribbon cable, allows communication between the disk drive and the rest of the computer. |
| EDO DRAM | Extended Data Out Dynamic Random Access Memory. The successor to plain old DRAM, is much faster than DRAM but not quite as fast as SDRAM. |
| EIDE | Extended Integrated Drive Electronics, AKA "Fast ATA-2". Provides a faster disk controller connection for disk drives and mass media storage than ordinary IDE. |
| EISA | Extended Industry Standard Architecture. Faster than a regular ISA expansion slot, but still compatible with ISA cards. |
| Expansion Slot | A connector (usually ISA, EISA, or PCI) on the motherboard where expansion cards such as display adaptors and SCSI controllers plug in. |
| Full Duplex | When two systems can send and receive simultaneously, usually via a sound card and a microphone. |
| Gigabyte | Depending on the manufacturer's standards, 1,000 megabytes or 1,024 megabytes. |
| Graphics Accelerator | This is a card that enhances your video card to perform faster operations when dealing with graphics and many colors. Most of the time, they handle 3D graphics and your video card handles 2D graphics. |
| Graphics Card | See Video Card |
| Half Duplex | When in a two system setup only one system can send or receive at one time. |
| ISA | Industry Standard Architecture. One of the first types of expansion slots made available. ISA slots are black in color and measure 5.5 inches long. They are slower than PCI, EISA, and VLB slots. |
| IDE | Integrated Drive Electronics. A system that connects your hard drive, floppy drive, and other storage units to the motherboard. Not as fast as EIDE or SCSI. |
| IRQ | Interrupt Request. Each device has its own IRQ, which enables it to communicate with the CPU by interrupting the CPU's process so that it can handle instructions from the device. |
| Jumper | Small, plastic, electronically conductive piece that connects two metal prongs of a circuit on the motherboard. When a jumper is present, the circuit is closed, and when it is not present, the circuit is open. Depending on whether some circuits are opened or closed, the motherboard switches some options on or off. |
| Mass Storage Device | A device, such as a hard drive, tape drive, or CD-ROM, that is used to store large quantities of data. |
| MMX | Multimedia Extensions. Orignally introduced by Intel, these are added sets of instructions in the CPU that speed up the handling of graphics and sound. |
| Modem | Modulator/Demodulator, a device that allows your computer to communicate with other computers using the phone line by converting digital data into analog noise and then back again. |
| Motherboard | The main circuit board of your system, contains the CPU, the expansion slots, the cache, and the RAM. |
| MS-DOS | Microsoft Disk Operating System. One of Microsoft's first claims to fame, this is a non-graphical operating system that just used a prompt and typed commands. |
| Multimedia | A combination of text with sound and video. |
| Multitasking | When a computer can perform two or more tasks at the same time. |
| Operating System | Software which allows a user to communicate with the hardware to run programs. |
| PC | Personal Computer, usually in reference to a DOS or Windows machine. |
| PCI | Peripheral Component Interface. An expansion slot that is smaller(3.25 inches) and faster than its ISA and EISA predecessors. |
| Pentium | Intel's successor to the 486, also known as a 586. |
| Pentium Pro | Intel's successor to the Pentium, and is designed to run primarily 32-bit applications, so it is primarily used in servers. |
| Pentium II | A Pentium chip that combines the Pentium Pro and the Pentium MMX. |
| Periperal | Anything that is installed in or attached to a PC like a keyboard, mouse, sound card, or CD-ROM. |
| RAM | Random Access Memory. Stores program code for easy access by the CPU. |
| Resolution | The sharpness of a monitor or printer. Monitor resolutions are measured by pixel width, pixel height, and color depth (i.e. 800x600, 16-bit), while printer resolution is measured in dots per inch. |
| Ribbon Cable | A flat cable in which all the wires run parallel, side by side, unlike twisted wires like your phone cord. The first pin is indicated by a red or blue line on the cable. |
| SCSI | Small Computer System Interface, pronounced "scuzzy". This is an alternative to IDE and EIDE, allowing connection of 7 or more devices including hard drives, CD-ROMS, and scanners. |
| SDRAM | Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory. Faster than DRAM and EDO DRAM, SDRAM is also synchronous, while DRAM and EDO DRAM are asynchronous. |
| Seek Time | The amount of time it takes, measured in milliseconds, for a media device to locate a piece of data. |
| SIMM | Single Inline Memory Module. Contains the RAM to be put into a SIMM Bank. Slower than a DIMM. |
| Slave | A device is subject to the control of a master device. |
| Sound Card | An expansion card that allows the recording and play back of digital sound. |
| TCP/IP | Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. Communication "language" that all computers on the internet use to communicate. |
| USB | Universal Serial Bus. A brand new bus where only one peripheral device needs to plugged directly into the motherboard. Then, up to 64 other devices can simply connect to the first in a chain-like arrangement. USB has a throughput 12 Mbps data rate and can supply +5V power to those devices that have modest power needs. |
| Video Card | The adaptor card is inserted into your motherboard via a PCI, ISA, or VESA slot. It usually has a monitor hookup, and it handles nearly all graphical work done by the computer. |
| Video RAM | Memory on a video card that enables higher resolutions and faster graphics generation. |
| VLB | VESA Local Bus or Video Electronics Standards Association Local Bus. A 32-bit extension of the ISA expansion slot. |