{"id":1872,"date":"2026-01-17T20:58:50","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T20:58:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/computercampus.org\/?page_id=1872"},"modified":"2026-01-17T21:06:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T21:06:00","slug":"glossary","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/computercampus.org\/?page_id=1872","title":{"rendered":"Glossary"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Glossary <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

1. BIOS, UEFI, TPM, NVMe \u2014 \nWhat They Mean & Why They Matter<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

BIOS (Basic Input\/Output System)<\/strong>
\u2022 The startup program that runs when a computer first turns on.
\u2022 It checks that the hardware is working and decides what device to boot from (SSD, USB, etc.).
\u2022 Why it matters to you:<\/strong>
o You must go into BIOS to change boot order, enable\/disable Secure Boot, and start BitRaser or Windows installations.<\/h4>
\u00a0<\/div>

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)<\/strong>
\u2022 The newer, more modern version of BIOS.
\u2022 Faster, more secure, with graphical menus.
\u2022 Most laptops from 2015+ use UEFI.
\u2022 Why it matters to you:<\/strong>
o When installing Windows 11, UEFI mode + Secure Boot + TPM must be enabled.<\/h4>
\u00a0<\/div>

TPM (Trusted Platform Module)<\/strong>
\u2022 A small security chip built into modern laptops.
\u2022 Required for Windows 11 installation.
\u2022 Why it matters to you:<\/strong>
o If TPM is off in BIOS, Windows 11 cannot install.
o Part of your setup checklist is making sure TPM is enabled.<\/h4>
\u00a0<\/div>

NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express)<\/strong>
\u2022 The fast SSD storage inside modern laptops.
\u2022 Much faster than old spinning hard drives.
\u2022 Why it matters to you:<\/strong>
o BitRaser wipe is very fast on NVMe drives.
o If an NVMe drive is not detected, the laptop may need repair, or the storage may be missing.<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

2. Activation Lock vs Firmware Lock (MacBooks Only)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

These two locks prevent stolen devices from being reused.
Volunteers must never<\/strong> attempt to bypass them.
Each lock must be checked during intake.<\/h4>

.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Activation Lock<\/strong><\/h4>

  • A security feature tied to the user\u2019s Apple ID.<\/h4>

    \u2022 If the previous owner was signed into iCloud (\u201cFind My\u201d), the device becomes Activation Locked.<\/h4>

    \u2022 The laptop will show a screen asking for the previous owner\u2019s Apple ID and password.<\/h4><\/li><\/ul>

    How you check it:<\/strong><\/h4>

    1. Turn on the Mac.<\/h4><\/li>

    2. Go through the setup screens.<\/h4><\/li>

    3. If it asks for the previous owner\u2019s Apple ID \u2192 It is Activation Locked.<\/strong><\/h4><\/li><\/ol>

      What to do:<\/strong>
      \u2022 Set the laptop aside.
      \u2022 Mark the device Activation Locked<\/strong>.
      \u2022 TechCharities will contact the donor to request removal.<\/h4>
      \u00a0<\/div>
      \u00a0<\/div>
      \u00a0<\/div>

      Firmware Lock (EFI Lock)<\/strong><\/h4>

      • A password placed directly on the Mac\u2019s internal firmware.<\/h4>

        \u2022 Prevents you from entering recovery mode or changing startup options.<\/h4><\/li><\/ul>

        How you check it:<\/strong><\/h4>

        1. Turn off the Mac.<\/h4><\/li>

        2. Hold Command + R<\/strong> (Intel Macs) or Power button<\/strong> (M-series Macs).<\/h4><\/li>

        3. If a padlock icon appears asking for a password \u2192 Firmware Locked.<\/strong><\/h4><\/li><\/ol>

          What to do:<\/strong>
          \u2022 Set the laptop aside .
          \u2022 Mark the device Firmware Locked<\/strong>.
          \u2022 Firmware locks cannot be removed without Apple\u2019s help or donor cooperation.<\/h4>

          o.<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Glossary 1. BIOS, UEFI, TPM, NVMe \u2014 What They Mean & Why They Matter BIOS (Basic Input\/Output System)\u2022 The startup program that runs when a computer first turns on.\u2022 It checks that the hardware is working and decides what device to boot from (SSD, USB, etc.).\u2022 Why it matters to you:o You must go into BIOS to change boot order, enable\/disable Secure Boot, and start BitRaser or Windows installations. \u00a0 UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)\u2022 The newer, more modern version of BIOS.\u2022 Faster, more secure, with graphical menus.\u2022 Most laptops from 2015+ use UEFI.\u2022 Why it matters to you:o When installing Windows 11, UEFI mode + Secure Boot + TPM must be enabled. \u00a0 TPM (Trusted Platform Module)\u2022 A small security chip built into modern laptops.\u2022 Required for Windows 11 installation.\u2022 Why it matters to you:o If TPM is off in BIOS, Windows 11 cannot install.o Part of your setup checklist is making sure TPM is enabled. \u00a0 NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express)\u2022 The fast SSD storage inside modern laptops.\u2022 Much faster than old spinning hard drives.\u2022 Why it matters to you:o BitRaser wipe is very fast on NVMe drives.o If an NVMe drive is not detected, the laptop may need repair, or the storage may be missing. 2. Activation Lock vs Firmware Lock (MacBooks Only) These two locks prevent stolen devices from being reused.Volunteers must never attempt to bypass them.Each lock must be checked during intake. . Activation Lock A security feature tied to the user\u2019s Apple ID. \u2022 If the previous owner was signed into iCloud (\u201cFind My\u201d), the device becomes Activation Locked. \u2022 The laptop will show a screen asking for the previous owner\u2019s Apple ID and password. How you check it: Turn on the Mac. Go through the setup screens. If it asks for the previous owner\u2019s Apple ID \u2192 It is Activation Locked. What to do:\u2022 Set the laptop aside.\u2022 Mark the device Activation Locked.\u2022 TechCharities will contact the donor to request removal. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Firmware Lock (EFI Lock) A password placed directly on the Mac\u2019s internal firmware. \u2022 Prevents you from entering recovery mode or changing startup options. How you check it: Turn off the Mac. Hold Command + R (Intel Macs) or Power button (M-series Macs). If a padlock icon appears asking for a password \u2192 Firmware Locked. What to do:\u2022 Set the laptop aside .\u2022 Mark the device Firmware Locked.\u2022 Firmware locks cannot be removed without Apple\u2019s help or donor cooperation. o.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1872","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/computercampus.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1872","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/computercampus.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/computercampus.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/computercampus.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/computercampus.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1872"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/computercampus.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1872\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1880,"href":"https:\/\/computercampus.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1872\/revisions\/1880"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/computercampus.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}