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The power supply unit is a critical component of any computer, and if it fails or malfunctions, it can cause significant damage to the entire system. It is, therefore, crucial to be aware of the signs that indicate a need for replacement. This article will explore the top signs for changing the SMPS or Switching Mode …
What is Bitmap Font? A bitmap font refers to the type of font where every character is stored as a set of pixels or dots. These pixels build symbols, also called glyphs, to make up a complete bitmap font. Technically, a bitmap font is a set of pixels or a group of raster images of …
What is Bitmap? A bitmap refers to the particular graphic file format. It uses the extensions .bmp (bitmap) or .dib (device-independent bitmap) and is used mainly in Microsoft Windows and OS/2. It also refers to a raster or bitmapped image format. Technically, this is an image file format that allows creating and storing computer graphics. …
What is Advanced Video Coding (AVC)? AVC, or Advanced Video Coding, refers to the file format or a standard for storing video contents. Usually, this video compression standard uses much lower bit rates as compared to the earlier standards while encoding high-quality videos. Technically, it is a method where an encoder changes the video into …
What is Aspect Ratio? The term aspect ratio refers to the viewable area on the screen and the shape of a display. In technical terms, it is the specific attribute of the screen that defines the relationship between the width and the height of the image. KEY TAKEAWAYS An aspect ratio defines the relationship between …
What is ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface)? ACPI, or Advanced Configuration and Power Interface, refers to an abstract yet flexible interface for the hardware which allows integrating features for power management into a standard in a computer system. In other words, more precisely, it refers to a specific industry specification created to ensure better …
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What is Zero Wait State (ZWS)? Zero wait state is a specific condition of the computer system that signifies it is running at the maximum speed and is not waiting for the system memory and other slower components in it. In other words, it refers to the condition where data is transferred immediately, when it …
What is Write-Through Cache? The specific section of the memory that allows faster access to the future data is called a write-through cache. In technical terms, it is a process of writing or copying data to higher level caches at the same time. It is a very common and useful process followed by processors that …
What is Von Neumann Architecture? The Von Neumann architecture refers to the written description by John Von Neumann of how information should be processed and stored in an electronic computer. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Von Neumann architecture is a simpler design based on the concept of stored-program computers. This architecture is used in workstations, modern personal …
What is Upper Memory Area? In computer architecture, the Upper Memory Area refers to the region between the conventional memory space and the High Memory Area which is usually set aside for the video memory and other peripherals. From a technical point of view, the Upper Memory Area signifies the space in the memory architecture …
What is Uniform Memory Access (UMA)? Uniform Memory Access, or UMA, refers to a balanced and shared memory architecture. All the processors in this particular architecture share the physical memory of the system in a uniform manner. From a technical point of view, UMA is an architecture in which the access time to a location …
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What is Null Pointer? With reference to the computer memory, the term ‘null pointer’ signifies a specific type of command that is used to direct the operating system or the software to a vacant location in it. Technically, a null pointer means the command that essentially indicates the end of a processing task or a …
What is Data Scrubbing? Data scrubbing refers to the process of correcting errors in a dataset. It is a background process where the content of the memory is checked periodically to detect inconsistencies and rectify the errors to produce a functional copy of data. In technical terms, it is a Reliability, Availability and Serviceability (RAS) …
What is Memory Protection? Memory protection refers to securing the computer memory, either at the software or hardware level to prevent unauthorized access to it by any computer process. Technically, it is the practice to enhance security of memory by following different additional processes such as protection of executable space in the memory and layout …
What is Loader? A loader refers to the specific component that loads the necessary programs and libraries into the main memory of the computer to facilitate their execution, especially during the startup phase. Technically, the loader is the component that reads the contents of the executable object codes generated by the compiler and assembler and …
What is Loader? Types, Functions, Pros, Cons & More Read More »
What is Input Buffering? With reference to computer memory, input buffering refers to the process of storing all incoming data and information in the input block or the input area before these are sent for further processing by the Central Processing Unit. Technically, it also refers to the process used in designing the compilers which …
What is High Memory Area (HMA)? High Memory Area, or HMA, refers to the initial 64 KB or 65,520 bytes of the extended memory from the 1024 KB to 1088 KB of the memory space that can be accessed by the operating system. KEY TAKEAWAYS High Memory Area is the initial designated space on the …
What is Framebuffer? The term framebuffer refers to the memory of the video card that contains all the necessary information and data for rendering an image on the computer screen. Technically, this refers to the specific location on the memory that holds the frame of data. It is sent continuously to the screen, so that …
What is Dynamic Relocation? Dynamic relocation refers to a process where the data stored in the memory of the computer is moved to other parts of it while the program is still active and creating a more efficient memory storage. Technically, in this specific type of relocation process mapping from the virtual to the physical …
What is Conventional Memory? Conventional memory refers to the first 640 KB of the IBM compatible memory. Ideally, this is the only section of the memory that can be accessed by the operating system without needing the help of the memory manager. Technically, this is the contiguous memory that lies before the Upper Memory Area …
What is Base Address? In the world of computers, the base address refers to the starting point of the memory. It is an address that references the other addresses in the memory. Technically, it is an absolute address and is usually used as a comparative address of a particular position of a piece of data …
What is Associative Memory? An associative memory refers to a specific type of memory for performing data searches with a data key instead of providing a simple and direct access to it by using its address. It uses added comparison circuitry for operation in a clock cycle. Technically, this is a special type of memory …
What is Associative Memory? Types, Pros, Cons & More Read More »
What is Programmed IO (PIO)? Programmed Input/Output, or PIO, refers to the specific mode of data transfer between one device and another, typically using the processor of the computer and not the memory or DMA. KEY TAKEAWAYS Programmed IO is the specific process to transfer data. It is typically initiated and monitored by the CPU …
What is IDC (Insulation Displacement Connector)? IDC is the short form for Insulation Displacement Connector, which refers to the contact found typically at the ends of the cables. In this connection process, the blades cut through the insulation eliminating the need to expose the conductors. Technically, an IDC signifies the electrical connector designed to connect …
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What Are Cross-linked Files? When the FAT entries point to the same cluster they are called cross-linked files. In simple terms, it is an error existing in the file system. Technically, cross-linked files can corrupt the contents of a file stored on a hard drive by writing data in the same cluster but from a …
What is Virtual Address Extension (VAX)? Virtual Address Extension, or VAX, typically refers to the 32-bit Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) as well as a line of computer systems built on it. This specific architecture was developed by Digital Equipment Corporation or DEC in the mid-1970s. The primary objective of VAX is to carry out programs …
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What is Speculative Execution? Speculative execution refers to the optimization method used by a computer system for a few specific tasks that may not be required. These tasks are typically performed before knowing whether or not they are needed. Technically, this is a process that makes the best use of the available resources of a …
What is Speculative Execution? Example, Uses & More Read More »
What is Protected Mode? Protected mode refers to the 32-bit operating mode that is typically found on Intel 80286 or newer CPUs. Also known as protected virtual address mode, protected mode is found in most operating systems other than DOS. KEY TAKEAWAYS Protected mode is the security feature and the primary operating mode of modern …
What is MMU (Memory Management Unit)? MMU, a short for Memory Management Unit, refers to that particular hardware component in a computer which handles the virtual memory. It is usually found in the Central Processing Unit or the CPU of the computer system. The MMU finds out the location of the information when it receives …
What is a Microcontroller? A microcontroller refers to the smallest computer that can be used on an Integrated Circuit or IC. They have memory of their own, one or more small processors and programmable I/O, all on a single chip. Technically, a microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit designed to perform specific operations in an …
What is a Microcontroller? Types, Works, Uses & More Read More »
