Dictionary

ALU (arithmetic logic unit): A high-speed CPU circuit that is able to calculate and compare.

BIOS (basic input/output system): Built-in software determining what a computer can do without accessing programs on a disk.

cluster: A group of disk sectors assigned a unique number by the operating system.

corrupted: When data has been damaged in any particular way.

CPU (central processing unit): Computing part of the computer, including the control unit and ALU.

defragmenting: Optimizing a disk by fixing fragmented files and helping the computer’s hard drive run faster.

external fragmentation: Fragmentation that occurs in RAM that has small, unused holes scattered throughout.