- Attachment
- BIOS
- Bezel
- Case Sensitive
- Check Disk (CHKDSK)
- Command(s)
- Computer Tower
- CPU
- Default
- Desktop
- Double-click
- Drag and Drop
- FAT32
- FAQ
- Firewall
- Front Side Bus (FSB)
- Folder
- Format
- Hard Drive
- Hyper Threading
- IP Address
- ISP
- Jewel Case
- Memory
- Modem
- Monitor
- MS-DOS
- NTFS
- Partition
- Product Key Code
- RAM
- Reboot
- Recovery
- Reset Button
- Restart
- Right-Click
- Rip or Ripping
- Router
- Scroll
- Start Button
- Taskbar
- Toolbar
- Windows key
- Zip File
A file included (attached) with an e-mail message. Usually
represented by a paperclip ( ).
The set of Commands stored in read-only memory that enable a
computer to start the operating system and to communicate with the
various devices in the system, such as disk drives, keyboard, monitor,
printer, and communications ports. The acronym literally stands for
Basic Input/Output System.
The Bezel is the front cover piece of your computer. (Click
here for a picture)
Making a distinction between uppercase and lowercase. DOS Commands
and filenames are not case sensitive. Passwords frequently are case
sensitive.
Chkdsk is a short way of saying "Check Disk." This
command is used to check the validity of a drive, volume
information, size (total disk space), the number of files and the
amount of free space on the hard drive itself. Chkdsk is a
MS-DOS program used to fix problems with how the
files are stored on the hard drive. Chkdsk is used to check the status
of a diskette or hard drive, fix some errors, and
display a status report showing any errors found in the
file allocation table. If errors are found on the disk, CHKDSK
displays a warning messages. It also gives information in
reference to the format of the disk and total free amounts of
RAM inside your computer. Chkdsk will run
automatically if the computer is restarted improperly and sometimes can
continue to be triggered when the computer is shutdown properly again,
especially if you skip the disk check by striking a key before it
starts.
Commands are special codes or keywords that tell the computer to
perform a task, usually from a MS-DOS Window or the "RUN" tool in
Windows. (Click here for a list of
common commands)
The main part of the computer is called the "Computer Tower." (Click
here for an example)
The CPU is the Processor that the computer runs on, such as Pentium
IV. Often people use the word "CPU" when they really mean "Computer
tower" but the CPU is actually just a chip in the computer. The
acronym means "Central Processing Unit". (Click
here to see a picture of a CPU)
A pre-set way that a computer performs certain operations unless a
user instructs it to do otherwise. For example, by default, Outlook
Express blocks e-mail attachments, but you can
change the setting
so you can open attachments with Outlook Express.
The Desktop is the starting point when using Windows. It is the
first thing a Windows user sees after logging into Windows. It has all
the icons on it and usually has a background picture.
To click the left mouse button twice in rapid succession without
moving the mouse. Often used as a shortcut, combining the actions of
selecting, and then opening a document (or activating some other kind
of object) within a graphical user interface. Most text editors use
double-click to select the word under the mouse pointer.
A common method for manipulating files (and sometimes text) in
Windows. To drag and drop, move the pointer over an icon representing a
file and press the left mouse button. Hold the button down while moving
the pointer (dragging the file) to another place, usually a directory
viewer or an icon for some program, and then release the button
(dropping the file). Some systems also use this technique for objects
other than files, e.g. portions of text in a word processor.
FAT32 refers to the File System Windows uses to store files. Windows
95 OSR2, Windows 98, Windows XP and Windows Me include an updated
version of the FAT file system. This updated version is called FAT32.
The FAT32 file system allows for a default cluster size as small as 4
KB, and includes support for EIDE hard disk sizes larger than 2
gigabytes (GB). FAT is an acronym that stands for File Allocation
Tables and the 32 refers to the fact that it is 32 bit file system, as
opposed to the older FAT16 File system that Windows 3.1, The earliest
version of Windows 95 and MS-DOS used.
An acronym for Frequently Asked Questions.
A firewall protects your network from unwanted Internet traffic. The
primary function of a firewall is to let good traffic pass through
while ‘bad’ traffic gets blocked. The most important part of a firewall
is its access control features that distinguish between good and bad
traffic.
When installed, a firewall exists between your computer(s) and the
Internet. The firewall lets you request web pages, download files,
chat, etc. while making sure others on the internet can not access
services on your computer like file or print sharing. Some firewalls
are software that run on your computer. Other firewalls are built into
hardware and protect your whole network from attacks.
Software Firewall
Software firewalls are programs that run on your computer between your
network card software drivers and your operating system. They intercept
attacks before your operating system can even acknowledge them. Many
free firewalls of this type exist on the Internet. (Here
are some
free firewalls)
The front-side bus (FSB) is the segment of the system bus that
carries data between the CPU and the chipset that
connects to the RAM and other devices it generally
has the greatest effect on overall performance. A system with
high-performance processors and other components should also have a
fast front-side bus. The Pentium 4 uses either a 400MHz or 533MHz FSB
(Or even faster if it is Hyper Threading). In practice, the FSB will be
an issue with only hard-core applications, such as digital video.
An area on a disk where you store a group of related files under an
identifying name. In the past on PCs, folders have also been called
"directories". Like a folder in a filing cabinet, you can store
related files in the same folder to help organize your information. A
Folder is represented by:
Formatting a disk organizes the magnetic surfaces into tracks and
sectors, which allows specific Operating Systems to see the data. When
you format a Hard Drive or any other disk, it erases all the data from
that disk.
The hard drive is a disk drive that reads data stored on hard disks.
Also called hard disk drive. It's the part of your computer that
contains all the information on it. (click
here to see a picture of a hard drive)
Hyper-Threading technology is an innovative design from Intel that
enables multi-threaded software applications to process threads in
parallel within each processor resulting in increased utilization of
processor execution resources. In other words, it is to place two
logical processors into a single CPU. As a result, an
average improvement of ~40% in CPU resource
utilization yields higher processing throughput.
Every computer connected to the Internet is assigned a unique number
known as an Internet Protocol (IP) address. An IP address is written as
a set of four numbers separated by periods (each number can range from
0 to 255). An example of an IP address is 192.168.1.100
Click here and select
"Open" to view your IP Address. When you do, you will also see
some other information, all of which helps you connect to the internet.
The format looks like:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : myisp.com
IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.102
Subnet Mask. . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway. . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
It isn't necessarily important what your IP Address is, as long as
you do have one. Sometimes, however, Windows can not get an IP Address
from your ISP and it will assign you what is known as
an "Autoconfiguration" IP address. This typically is the result of some
equipment between your computer and the internet failing and not your
computer. The Autoconfiguration IP address always starts with the first
two numbers being 169.254.x.x.
The Autoconfiguration IP Address is a feature of Windows
designed to help computers talk to each other on a network when they
lose their IP Address, however, Autoconfiguration IP Addresses are not
valid on the internet and will not help you get to the internet. Here
is an example of what an Autoconfiguration IP address looks like when
using the "IPCONFIG" Command.
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . : 169.254.74.8
Subnet Mask. . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway. . . . . . . . . :
An acronym for Internet Service Provider, an ISP is a company that
provides access to the Internet.
The hinged plastic case in which CDs are often stored (Click
here for a picture of a jewel case).
Also referred to as RAM, (Random Access Memory).
Enables a computer to store, temporarily, data and programs. Every
program you run requires memory and there is only a finite amount of
it. The more memory you have, the more programs you can have running
simultaneously and the more data can be held for speedy access by your
machine. RAM is volatile, which means when the
computer is switched off, whatever programs or data that were in memory
disappear. You must save your data to a storage device like your hard
drive if you wish to keep it after the computer is turned off. (Click
Here to see an example of what Memory looks like)
An acronym for modulator/de-modulator. A
hardware device that allows a computer to transmit and receive
information over telephone lines. A modem converts digital data from
computers into analog data that can be transmitted over the telephone
lines. Traditional modems can carry data at speeds of up to 56Kbps.
like a TV, an output device used to display text and images being
processed by the computer. (Click here
for an example)
An acronym for Microsoft-Disk Operating
System. The standard operating system developed by Microsoft
Corporation for IBM compatible PCs. When IBM came out with the first PC
in 1981 it operated with MS-DOS version 1. As MS-DOS was the only
Operating System for the PC at that time it became irreplaceable and
Microsoft grew with the growth of the PC. MS-DOS is a "Command line"
operating system as opposed to a "graphical" operating system such as
Windows. Previous versions of Windows would run on top of MS-DOS
but now Windows is a stand-alone operating system and no longer needs
MS-DOS. You can, however, still access an MS-DOS-like interface by
choosing "CommandCommand Prompt" from the start menu.
NTFS is the Windows NT file system. Unlike FAT (or
FAT32), NTFS does not use an allocation table but
stores information about any file directly with the file. Other
operating systems, including Windows 95, and many applications, such as
ScanDisk, cannot read NTFS partitions. However, NTFS files or folders
that are shared on a network can be accessed by other operating
systems. Advantages of NTFS over FAT include faster
access to files, more efficient information storage, better data
recovery, integrated file compression, larger disk partitions, and
better file security. NTFS partitions also remain relatively
unfragmented for long periods of time.
One section of a hard drive, identified by it's letter (C: F:, J,
etc). A single hard drive can be partitioned into several different
hard drives.
Generally, a product key code is a code that you need to unlock a
given software program.
When referring to Windows or Microsoft Product key codes, it is a 25
digit (5 sets of 5 letters and numbers) that you need to install or use
Microsoft Windows or Microsoft Office and Work Suite packages. You can
usually find the Windows Product key on the top or very bottom of the
computer tower. If you're looking for your Works Suite or Office Suite
Product Key, you'll have to look on the CD Jewel case
that comes with the software. (Click
here for an example)
An acronym for Random Access Memory, also just called "memory".
Enables a computer to store, temporarily, data and programs. Every
program you run requires memory and there is only a finite amount of
it. The more memory you have, the more programs you can have running
simultaneously and the more data can be held for speedy access by your
machine. RAM is volatile, which means when the computer is switched
off, whatever programs or data that were in memory disappear. You must
save your data to a storage device like your hard drive if you wish to
keep it after the computer is turned off. (Click
Here to see an example of what RAM looks like)
Reboot is the same as Restart. It basically means turning the
computer off and back on again, but usually you only need to do one
step, such as hit the Reset button. In Windows XP,
click start, select "Turn Off Computer" and select "Restart."
A recovery or usually called, "The Recovery," is restoring the
computer back to the manufacturer defaults (typically this means just
reinstalling Windows). Usually done with a CD, technology has recently
improved the process a bit. The newer V2Premier computers can be
restored using just a floppy or even better, our latest systems have a
"diskless recovery." A diskless recovery means that all you have
to do to run the recovery and reinstall Windows is restart the computer
and hold down a certain key. The advantages to a diskless recovery are
that you will not have to reinstall drivers nor will you have to
reinstall any of the original programs that were installed as it truly
brings the computer back to the way it was when you first turned on the
computer. (Click here to get
help running the recovery)
The little black button below the power button on the tower that
restarts or reboots the computer (Click
here for a visual aid).
Restart is the same as reboot. It basically means
turning the computer off and back on again, but usually you only need
to do one step, such as hit the Reset button. In
Windows XP, click start, select "Turn Off Computer" and select
"Restart."
Clicking the right button on the mouse. Typically, the
right-clicking provides advanced options on property menus.
A non-technical term for digital audio extraction. This is the
process of taking CD audio and recording it to a computer in any file
format. When the transfer is from CD to MP3, the process is both
ripping and encoding.
A device that routes data between networks though IP addressing
information contained in the IP packet. A DSL/Cable router routes data
between your network and the Internet via the DSL/Cable connection.
Moving up or down within a document in your screen. Use scroll bar
at right. Click on arrow down or arrow up. Drag the scroll button down
or up. Or click on the page up or page down icons at the bottom of the
bar. If you need to scroll left or right, use the scroll bar at the
bottom. The wheel on your mouse is also used to scroll up and down .
The
button is the starting point for anything you want to do with Windows.
By clicking start you can get to your recently used programs, your "All
Programs" or anything else you might need from your computer.
The long bar on the bottom of your screen. The Taskbar consists of
three main parts, your Quick Launch section, your open-programs section
and the tray. It also has the Start Button on the left and the clock on
the right.
The open-program section displays your opened programs so that if
you have one program open, and need to get to another open program, you
can simply click on it on the taskbar.
The Quick Launch section allows you to launch certain programs with
one click. You can drag any program, folder or file into the Quick
Launch but some items are already there. The Quick Launch also has this
icon,  which
minimizes all open windows and displays the desktop. In Windows
XP, the Quick Launch is turned off by default. To turn it on, right
click on the taskbar and select "Properties" and put a check next to
"Show Quick Launch" then click "OK".
The Tray is just to the left of the clock and displays various
programs running in the background (usually that start when Windows
Starts). This is also where Network Connections and removable USB
Device icons are displayed.
The toolbar sits across the top or down the side of a particular
window. The toolbar allows the user to perform certain tasks such as
opening a file or submitting a print. Usually the first three items in
a toolbar will be "File," "Edit," and "View."
The Windows key on the keyboard is the key with the Windows Logo,
 on it. (Click
here for more help finding the Windows Key)
A file that contains other files that are compressed to preserve
space. Zip archives are convenient for containing files that you want
to preserve as backups or as a convenient way of sending multiple
files to someone. It is the most common format for an archive to be
in. Windows XP is Microsoft's first Operating System to have the
ability to "zip" and "unzip" files without a third program, such as
WinZip.
| Here are some of the
different icons that represent zipped files. The icons can vary as
different programs may be setup to open zip files by default. |
WinZip |
WinZip (Alternate) |
StufIt |
Windows |
| 
