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Chapter 2 - Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC
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02/26/2013

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Term
administrator account
Definition
In Windows 2000/XP/Vista, an account that grants to the administrator(s) rights and permissions to all hardware and software resources, such as the right to add, delete, and change accounts and to change
hardware configurations.
Term
Aero user interface
Definition
The Vista 3D user interface. Also called Aero glass.
Term
backward-compatible
Definition
A technology, software, or device that works with older or legacy technologies, software, or devices.
Term
Briefcase
Definition
A system folder in Windows 9x/Me that is used to synchronize files between two computers.
Term
child directory
Definition
See subdirectory. A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called a child directory or folder.
Term
command prompt window
Definition
A Windows utility that is used to enter multiple commands to perform a variety of tasks.
Term
Compressed (zipped) Folder
Definition
A folder with a .zip extension that contains compressed files. When files are put in the folder, they are compressed. When files are moved to a regular folder, the files are decompressed.
Term
desktop
Definition
The initial screen that is displayed when an OS has a GUI interface loaded.
Term
device driver
Definition
A program stored on the hard drive that tells the computer how to communicate with a hardware device such as a printer or modem
Term
distribution
Definition
Any version of Linux.
Term
dual boot
Definition
The ability to boot using either of two different OSs, such as Windows XP and Windows Vista.
Term
elevated command prompt window
Definition
A Vista command prompt window that allows commands that require administrative privileges.
Term
executive services
Definition
In Windows 2000/XP/Vista, a group of components running in kernel mode that interfaces between the subsystems in user mode and the HAL.
Term
file attribute
Definition
The properties assigned to a file. Examples of file attributes are read-only and hidden status.
Term
file extension
Definition
A portion of the name of a file that is used to identify the file type. In command lines, the file extension follows the filename and is separated from it by a period. For example, Msd.exe, where exe is the file extension.
Term
filename
Definition
The first part of the name assigned to a file. In DOS, the filename can be no more than eight characters long and is followed by the file extension. In Windows, a filename can be up to 255 characters.
Term
folders
Definition
See subdirectory. A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called a child directory or folder.
Term
graphical user interface (GUI)
Definition
An interface that uses graphics as compared to a command-driven interface.
Term
HAL (hardware abstraction layer)
Definition
The low-level part of Windows 2000/XP/Vista, written specifically for each CPU technology, so that only the HAL must change when platform components change.
Term
initialization files
Definition
A Windows configuration file used to store settings for the operating system or application.
Term
kernel
Definition
The portion of an OS that is responsible for interacting with the hardware
Term
kernel mode
Definition
A Windows 2000/XP/Vista "privileged" processing mode that has access to hardware components.
Term
netbook
Definition
A low-end, inexpensive laptop with a small 9 or 10 inch screen and no optical drive that is generally used for Web browsing, email, and word processing by users on the go.
Term
notification area
Definition
An area to the right of the taskbar that holds the icons for running services; these services include the volume control and network connectivity. Also called the system tray or systray.
Term
operating system (OS)
Definition
Software that controls a computer. An OS controls how system resources are used and provides a user interface, a way of managing hardware and software, and ways to work with files.
Term
original equipment manufacturer (OEM)
Definition
A software license that only manufacturers or builders of personal computers can purchase to be installed only on a computer intended for sale.
Term
patches
Definition
An update to software that corrects an error, adds a feature, or addresses security issues. Also called an update or service pack.
Term
path
Definition
A drive and list of directories pointing to a file such as C:\Windows\System32.
Term
Registry
Definition
A database that Windows uses to store hardware and software configuration information, user preferences, and setup information.
Term
root directory
Definition
The main directory created when a hard drive or disk is first formatted. In Linux, it's indicated by a forward slash. In DOS and Windows, it's indicated by a backward slash.
Term
service
Definition
A program that runs in the background to support or serve Windows or an application.
Term
service pack
Definition
See patch. An update to software that corrects an error, adds a feature, or addresses security issues. Also called an update or service pack
Term
shell
Definition
The portion of an OS that relates to the user and to applications.
Term
standard account
Definition
The Vista user account type that can use software and hardware and make some system changes, but cannot make changes that affect the security of the system or other users.
Term
subdirectory
Definition
A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called a child directory or folder.
Term
system tray
Definition
See notification area. An area to the right of the taskbar that holds the icons for running services; these services include the volume control and network connectivity. Also called the system tray or systray.
Term
systray
Definition
See notification area. An area to the right of the taskbar
that holds the icons for running services; these services include the volume control and network connectivity. Also called the system tray or systray.
Term
taskbar
Definition
A bar normally located at the bottom of the Windows desktop, displaying information about open programs and providing quick access to others.
Term
thread
Definition
A single task, such as the task of printing a file, that the process requests from the
kernel.
Term
User Account Control (UAC)
Definition
dialog box - A Vista security feature that displays a dialog box each
time a user attempts to perform an action that can be done only with administrative privileges.
Term
user mode
Definition
In Windows 2000/XP/Vista, a mode that provides an interface between an application and the OS, and only has access to hardware resources through the code running in kernel mode.
Term
virtual machine (VM)
Definition
One or more logical machines created within one physical machine.
Term
volume
Definition
A primary partition that has been assigned a drive letter and can be formatted with a file system such as NTFS. Compare to logical drive.
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