ACPI

Short for Advanced Configuration & Power Interface, ACPI defines a flexible and abstract hardware interface that provides a standard way to integrate power management features throughout a PC system, including hardware, operating system and application software. This enables the system to automatically turn peripherals on and off, such as CD-ROMs, network cards, hard disk drives, and printers, as well as consumer devices connected to the PC such as VCRs, televisions, telephones, and stereos. With this technology, peripherals can also activate the PC. For example, inserting a tape into a VCR can turn on the PC, which could then activate a large-screen television and high-fidelity sound system.

If when booting Windows 98 you get a red or blue screen with an ACPI error code the RED screen indicates that the problem is probably related to a hardware or BIOS problem. BLUE screens indicate that the problem is probably related to software or is an obscure problem.

Also see: BIOS, Power definitions