Device

1. In general, a device can refer to any electronic device including

a laptop, tablet, and smartphone.

2. When referring to a computer a device is

any internal or external hardware peripheral that attaches to a
computer to send, receive, or process data. For example, a printer is an
example of a device, although more appropriately referred to as
a peripheral.

Peripheral

Alternatively referred to as
an auxiliary device, a peripheral is hardware that allows a computer
to perform an additional function, but is not something the computer
needs in order to work. Below are some good examples of computer
peripherals.

Examples of computer peripherals

Keyboard
Mouse
Printer
Plotter
Scanner
Sound card
Projector
Tape drive

Boot device
A boot device is any device or drive that has the required boot files
that allows the computer to start. For example, a floppy disk
drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD drive, andUSB jump drive are all considered
bootable devices. However, unless the necessary boot files are stored
on the drive, diskette, or disc the computer will not be able to boot
from that device.
The most commonly used boot device or boot drive is the hard drive. When
an operating system such as Microsoft Windows installed onto the hard drive
it copies the boot files and drivers required to load windows on the
computer. When installing a new operating system, troubleshooting the
computer, or booting from another drive such as the CD-ROM drive, a
bootable disc or setup disc is inserted into the drive. If the boot sequence is
setup properly inCMOS setup and the bootable disc is inserted the computer
it will load from the disc instead of the hard drive.

No boot devices available

If the computer hard drive is not working, has not yet been setup, or there
are no other bootable devices you will receive an error such as "no bootable
device" or "no boot devices available" when the computer boots up. This
error is an indication that the computer looked at all available devices, but
did not see any drive with boot files. If the computer was working before
getting this error message and no any new hardware has been added, it's
very likely that your hard drive has failed.

However, before assuming the hard drive has failed make sure no cables
(especially USB cables) are connected to the computer and that all diskettes,
CD's, and any other USB devices are disconnected from the computer.

Hard drive buying tips.

Replacing hard disk drive.

Inaccessible boot device

If the computer has detected a boot device, but is unable to boot from that
device you'll receive an error such as "inaccessible boot device" when the
computer is booting. This can be an indication of a corrupt boot device or a
diskette, disc, or USB drive attached that the computer that is not bootable.
Remove any diskettes and discs from the computer and disconnect any USB
drives, MP3 players, or cameras connected to the computer.
Also see: Boot, Boot disk, Boot sequence, Device

Note: Unlike the computer, a peripheral is incapable of operating by itself

and relies on the computer to function properly.

Boot
1. Alternatively referred to as boot up, booting is the process of powering
on a computer and getting into the operating system. During the boot
process, the computer will perform a self-diagnostic, also known as
a POST and load necessary drivers and programs that help the
computer and devices communicate. As your computer is booting, you
may see a screen similar to the example picture below.

In the above example, this screen is displaying the BIOS information, the
type of computer, CPU, and memory for the computer and a prompt to
enter BIOS setup.
If the computer cannot boot you may receive a boot failure, which is an
error that indicates the computer is either not passing POST or a device in
the computer such as the hard drive has failed.

Related pages

POST troubleshooting steps to follow if your computer is not booting.

What steps to take if your computer boots slow.

Getting media test failure, check cable error when computer boots.
How does a computer work?

2. See the kick definition for additional information about what it means to
get boot orbooted from chat.
Also see: Boot code, Bootstrap loader, Boot sequence, Chat terms, Cold
boot, Initialize, IPL,Reboot, Shutdown, Splash screen, Startup

BYOD
With the advancements in technology and the cost reduction of
obtaining it, more people have mobile computing devices,
like laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The increased ownership of
these devices and the ability of business to integrate these devices into
the workplace, employees are starting to bring their devices to work
with them. This new trend has been referred to as Bring Your Own
Device(BYOD).

Gadget
1. A new, often expensive, and relatively unknown hardware device or
accessory that makes your life or the use of another device easier or
more enjoyable.
Note: As a gadget becomes widely used, it is no longer referred to as a
gadget. For example, when cell phones were first introduced they were
considered gadgets, but as they became more mainstream, they were not
any longer.

2. When referring to software, a gadget is another name for a widget.

3. Additional feature that can be added into the Windows Vista Sidebar. See
the Sidebardefinition for additional information with this feature.

Processing Device
When a computer receives data from an input device, the information
must go through an intermediate stage before it can be output to your
monitor, speakers or printer. A processing device is any device in a
computer that handles this intermediate stage; responsible for
controlling the storage and retrieval of information. Common examples
of processing devices include a computer'smotherboard, central
processing unit, graphics processing unit, network card, andsound
card.

Password protecting Microsoft Word and

Excel documents
SOME IMPROTANT SYSTEM COMMANDS
Add Hardware Wizard = hdwwiz.cpl
Add/Remove Programs = appwiz.cpl
Administrative Tools = control admintools
Automatic Updates = wuaucpl.cpl
Calculator = calc
Check Disk Utility = chkdsk

Clipboard Viewer = clipbrd

Command Prompt = cmd
Computer Management = compmgmt.msc
Date and Time Properties = timedate.cpl
Device Manager = devmgmt.msc
Disk Defragment = dfrg.msc
Disk Management = diskmgmt.msc
Disk Partition Manager = diskpart
Display Properties = control desktop/desk.cpl
Folders Properties = control folders
Fonts = control fonts
Fonts Folder = fonts
Group Policy Editor (XP Prof) = gpedit.msc
Internet Properties = inetcpl.cpl
IP Configuration = ipconfig
keyboard Properties = control keyboard
Local Security Settings = secpol.msc
Local Users and Groups = lusrmgr.msc
Logs You Out Of Windows = logof
Microsoft Chat = winchat
Mouse Properties = control mouse
Mouse Properties = main.cpl
Network Connections = control netconnections
Network Connections = ncpa.cpl
Notepad = notepad
On Screen Keyboard = osk
Password Properties = password.cpl
Performance Monitor = perfmon.msc
Performance Monitor = perfmon
Phone and Modem Options = telephon.cpl

Power Configuration = powercfg.cpl

Printers and Faxes = control printers
Printers Folder = printers
Regional Settings = intl.cpl
Registry Editor = regedit
Registry Editor = regedit32
Remote Desktop = mstsc
Removable Storage = ntmsmgr.msc
Removable Storage Operator Requests = ntmsoprq.msc
Scanners and Cameras = sticpl.cpl
Scheduled Tasks = control schedtasks
Security Center = wscui.cpl
Services = services.msc
Shared Folders = fsmgmt.msc
Shuts Down Windows = shutdown
Sounds and Audio = mmsys.cpl
System Configuration Editor = sysedit
System Configuration Utility = msconfig
System File Checker Utility = sfc
System Properties = sysdm.cpl
Task Manager = taskmgr
Telnet Client = telnet
Utility Manager = utilman
Windows Firewall = firewall.cpl
Windows Magnifier = magnify
Wordpad = write