Term Definition < F1> key The key gives you access to the online help of most software. 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet system providing data transfer rates of 10 Mbps ( megabits per second) and 100 Mbps. The 100BASE- TX is a very direct derivative of 10BASE- T. Its 100 Mbps speed is achieved by simply sending the signal 10 times faster. ACPI Short for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface, a power management specification. ACPI enables the operating system to turn peripherals on and off and to control the amount of power given to each device attached to the computer. With ACPI, a CD-ROM player can be turned off by the operating system if it is not in use. Application recovery A recovery process that enables you to recover any of the applications initially available on the computer. Performing an application recovery is useful when an individual application does not run properly or to reinstall a driver when a device does not work properly. Application recovery CD-ROM CD- ROM that enables a VAIO computer user to recover all the applications that were available when the computer was purchased. The CD-ROM is supplied with the computer. BIOS An acronym for Basic Input/Output System. The BIOS is a program that enables the computer to start when you turn it on. It monitors the data stream between the operating system and the computer’s hardware devices. CardBus CardBus is the commercial name for an advanced PC Card. The CardBus technology allows computer users to enjoy higher performances as far as data transfer and operating speed are concerned. See PCMCIA. Glossary Sony Notebook User Guide Term Definition 102 nNCD-ROM Abbreviation for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory. A high- capacity optical disc, usually 650 MB in size, capable of being read from but not written to. CD-RW Short for Compact Disc- ReWriteable. Compact Disc that can be used to write or rewrite data to it. A CD- RW can be written to several times, a CD-R can only be written to once. CPU The CPU ( Central Processing Unit) is the brains of the computer; it processes the instructions of your system’s programs. The CPU is also known as the processor or microprocessor and can be found on the motherboard of your computer. DC In The Direct Current interface to which you connect your computer’s AC adapter. Docking station An additional device that you can connect to your notebook. The docking station contains slots for expansion boards , bays for storage devices and ports for additional peripherals (such as printers or monitors) . Driver A driver is software enabling you to use hardware devices. For example, in order for you to be able to use a printer, you must first install its driver. Many drivers, such as the mouse driver, come with the operating system. DVD-ROM Short for Digital Video Disc. A type of read- only CD with a minimum capacity of 4.7 GB (maximum capacity can reach 17 GB) . This high storage power makes it the ideal medium for storing films. DVD-R A recordable DVD that can be used to write a program or other data, but only once. DVD-RW A rewritable DVD, based on the DVD-R format, that can be used to write, erase and rewrite a program or other dat approximately 1,000 times. DVD+ RW A slightly different rewritable recording format supported by the DVD+ RW Consortium. Its advantages include high-compatibility, high-capacity and easy- to-use functionality. DVD+ R A write- once variant of the DVD+ RW format developed by the DVD+ RW Consortium. Glossary Sony Notebook User Guide Term Definition 103 nNDVD± RW drive The DVD± RW drive is both a DVD- RW and DVD+ RW drive. Ethernet Ethernet is the most widely implemented local area network ( LAN) technology. The Ethernet system called 10BASE- T provides data transfer rates of 10 Mbps ( megabits per second) . A more recent version of Ethernet, called 100BASE- T, provides data transfer rates of 100 Mbps. Gigabit Ethernet supports data rates of 1 gigabit ( 1,000 megabits) per second. EULA EULA ( End- User Licence Agreement) is the name given to a licence governing the software on your computer. The EULA can be found in the Read this first section at the beginning of the software guide or directly on the VAIO desktop. i.LINK™ i. LINK ™ is Sony’s version of the IEEE 1394 standard for high- speed digital serial interface. The standard is regarded in the audio/video and IT industries as the most suitable interface for connecting computers and digital audio/ video devices (such as digital cameras etc.) . ISP An ISP ( Internet Service Provider) is a company which provides you with a user name, password and telephone number in order to connect to the Internet. L2 cache memory Cache memory is RAM- like memory that enables quick access to data that has already been read by the computer. L1 and L2 are levels of cache memory in a computer. LAN A LAN (Local Area Network) is a group of computers connected together within a limited geographical area. It enables users to share devices ( such as printers) and infor...
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