backup
A duplicate copy of a program, a disk or data, made either for archiving purposes or for safeguarding valuable files from loss should the active copy be damaged or destroyed. A backup is an "insurance" copy.
BIOS
The set of essential software routines that test hardware at startup, start the operating system, and support the transfer of data among hardware devices. BIOS is an acronym for Basic Input/Output System. On PC-compatible computers, the BIOS is stored in read-only memory (ROM) so that it can be executed when the computer is turned on. Although critical to performance, the BIOS is usually invisible to computer users.
bit
Shortened term for binary digit. It is the smallest unit of information handled by a computer. One bit expresses a 1 or a 0 in a binary numeral, or a true or false logical condition, and is represented physically by an element such as a high or low voltage at one point in a circuit or a small spot on a disk magnetized one way or the other. A single bit conveys little information a human would consider meaningful. A group of 8 bits, however, makes up a byte, which can be used to represent many types of information, such as a letter of the alphabet, a decimal digit or other character.
boot
The process of starting or resetting a computer. When first turned on (cold boot) or reset (warm boot), the computer executes important software that loads and starts the computer's operating system and prepares it for use. Thus, the computer can be said to pull itself up by its own bootstraps.
boot disk
A floppy disk that contains key system files from the operating system and that can boot, or start, the PC. A boot disk must be inserted in the primary floppy disk drive (usually drive A:) and is used when there is some problem with starting the PC from the hard disk, from which the computer generally boots.
boot drive
In a PC-compatible computer, this is the disk drive that the BIOS uses to automatically load the operating system when the computer is turned on. In computers with MS-DOS, Windows 3.x, or Windows 95 operating systems, the default boot drive is generally the primary floppy disk drive (A). If a floppy disk is not found in that drive, the BIOS will check the primary hard disk next, which is drive C.
boot failure
The inability of a computer to locate or activate the operating system and thus boot (start) the computer.
bundled software
Software programs that are sold with a computer as part of a combined hardware/software package, or programs that are sold with larger programs to increase functionality or attractiveness.
