FORM 1 COMPUTER SYSTEM COMPUTERS TOPICAL QUESTIONS

COMPUTER SYSTEMS

1. (a) Define the following terms as used in computing:                                         (2 marks)
   • Computer system.

(b)  Differentiate between a Computer and a Computer system.                         (2 marks)

2. (a) List and explain three functional elements of a computer system             (3 marks)

(b) Using a well-labelled diagram, give a descriptive illustration of a computer system.                                                                                                                                     (7 marks)

3. (a). The diagram below represents the essential features of a computer system. Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow:
   • Name the components A, B, C, and D             (4 marks)
   • On the diagram above, indicate the direction of the data flow using arrows.                                                                                        (3 marks)
     2. Give an example of a: (3 marks)
   1. Device that reads data.
   2. Pointing device.
   • Voice input device.
     3. (a) What are computer scanning devices?                                                            (1 mark)
   76. 70. a) Explain the following software terms:                                                            (3 marks)List three input devices from the given specifications.               (3 marks) (b) Name the type of scanner used:                                                                     (2 marks)
           1. To capture prices of goods at points of sale terminals in supermarkets and superstores.

            

           1. To grade multiple choice examination
              4. Briefly describe how each of the following I/O devices work.
           2. Tracker ball. (3 marks)
           3. Touch screen. (3 marks)
           • Light pen. (3 marks)
           1. Graphic (Digitizing) Tablet. (3 marks)
           2. (3 marks)
           3.                                     (3 marks)
           • Speech (voice) recognition device.             (3 marks)
           • Speech (voice) Synthesizer. (3 marks)

            

           5. (a) Explain the principle of a Kimball tag as a data input device.                       (3 marks)

           (b)  Outline any two advantages of a Light pen as an input device.                     (2 marks)

           6. (a) Identify two advantages and four limitations of the Speech recognition devices.                                                                                                                                              (6 marks)

           (b)  State two situations in which speech recognition devices may be useful as a method of data entry.                                                                                                           (2 marks)

            

           7. (a) What are turnaround documents? (1 mark)

           (b) Name any two data capture techniques that make use of turnaround documents.                                                                                                                                                     (2 marks)

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           8. Magnetic Ink Character Reader (MICR) technology uses the principle of magnetism to encode certain characters/data.

            

           1. Recommend one application areas where this technology is used. (1 mark)
           2. Name any three data items that can be encoded using magnetized ink. (3 marks)
              9. Name four factors one would consider when selecting a data input device. (4 marks)
              10. (a) Describe three functions performed by the CPU.                                          (3 marks)

           (b)  Explain the functions performed by each of the following central processing unit elements.

            

           1. Control Unit. (2 marks)
           2. Arithmetic and Logic Unit. (2 marks)
           • (1 mark)
           1. The Main memory. (2 marks)
           2. The System clock. (1 mark)
              11. In reference to ALU, explain the meaning of logic operations, and give an example of this processing operation.             (2 marks)

            

           12. (a) Give four types of registers found in the CPU.                                              (4 marks)

           (b)  Explain how the CPU registers may be used to carry out a basic calculation such as:                       2 + 3 = 5                                                                                                      (4 marks)

           13. State the function of each of the following computer bus. (3 marks)
           • Data bus.
           • Address bus.
           • Control bus.
             14. Computer systems are built from three types of physical components: Processor, memories and Input/Output devices.

            

           1. State two tasks of a processor. (2 marks)
           2. State the functions of I/O devices. (2 marks)
           15. (a) What is the computer Motherboard?             (1 mark)

           (b) State any four components found on the computer motherboard.                 (2 marks)

           16. (a) What is a read/write drive? (2 marks)

           (b) State any two types of computer drives, giving an example of a storage device used by each.                                                                                                                     (3 marks)

            

           17. (a) Give two reasons why it is necessary for a computer to have secondary/backing storage facilities                                                                                        (2 marks)

           (b)  List three different examples of auxiliary storage devices.                            (3 marks)

            

            

           18. (a) The hard disk is composed of Platters, Hard disk Drive, Access arm, Motor device, Read/Write heads, and Spindle. State the function of each of these parts.    (6 marks)

            

           (b) State three advantages of using hard disks as medium of storage.                 (3 marks)

           (c) Describe three precautions you would take to avoid damaging the hard disk. (3 marks)

           (d) Explain the internal mechanism of the hard disk in reference to disk platters and read/write head.                                                                                     (3 marks)

            

           (e) Describe the structure of a hard disk in reference to cylinders, tracks and sectors.                                                                                                                                        (3 marks)

           19. (a) Write down two advantages of storing data in a magnetic disk over a magnetic tape.                                                                                                                                       (1 mark)

           (b)  State two reasons why Magnetic tapes are not commonly used as computer data storage medium today.                                                                                      (2 marks)

            

           1. Fixed and removable disks.             (2 marks)
           2. Volatile memory and Non-volatile memory. (2 marks)
           • Magnetic and Optical storage media. (2 marks)
           1. CD-ROM and Floppy disk.             (2 marks)
           2. Hardcopy and Softcopy. (2 marks)
              21. Give three advantages of using a Scanner over the keyboard as an input device.(3 marks)
              22. (a) Using a well-labelled diagram, differentiate between Sectors and Tracks as used in

           Magnetic disks.                                                                                               (4 marks)

           (b) Draw a well-labelled diagram of a 3.5-inch floppy disk showing its parts.    (7 marks)

           (c) Explain four rules for handling magnetic disks.                                              (4 marks)

           23. (a) Give two uses of floppy disks in a computer system.                                                (2 marks)

           (b)  Draw a labelled diagram to illustrate the internal structure of a diskette.      (7 marks)

           24. The diagram below shows a formatted plate surface of a storage disk.

            

              Shade and label:

           • one sector (1 mark)
           • one block (1 mark)
             25. RAM and Magnetic disks are both Random access devices. List four differences between the two devices.                                                                                            (4 marks)

            

           26. State any three main differences between Primary and secondary computer storage.                                                                                                       (3 marks)
           27. Giving an example, explain the term memory Volatability? (2 marks)

            

           28. (a) State four functions of Read-Only memory (ROM)             (4 marks)

           (b) Give three characteristics of ROM                                                                  (3 marks)

           (c) Name two different types of ROM                                                                 (2 marks)

           29. Mention any four types of programs or facilities that are stored in the Read Only Memory.                                                                                                       (4 marks)
           30. (a) Outline three characteristics of Random Access memory (RAM).             (3 marks)

           (b) Name the two types of RAM clearly stating their differences.                      (3 marks)

           31. Give two examples of special purpose memories found in the CPU. (2 marks)
           32. Give two types of information that are found in the RAM. (1 mark)
           33. What do the following phrases mean in reference to computers:             (4 marks)
           34. 2 Ghz processor speed.
           35. 128 KB Cache.
           • 256 MB RAM
           1. 80 GB Hard disk
           2. The diagram below shows an example of a secondary storage.

            

           1. Identify the name of the device.             (1 mark)
           2. List down two advantages of this device over a floppy disk in storage. (2 marks)
           3. Calculate the capacity in MB of a two-sided floppy disk with 6 sectors per surface, and 512 bytes per sector.             (2 marks)

            

           36. (a) List any four examples of Optical storage devices.             (4 marks)

           (b) Give two application areas that make extensive use of Optical disks.            (2 marks)

           (c) Give two advantages of a Digital Versatile Disk over a normal Compact disk.                                                                                                                                                         (2 marks)

           37. (a) Explain two features of a DVD that enables it to store more information than a CD-R.                                                                                                                                    (4 marks)

           (b)  How many Optical disks of 720 MB storage capacity are needed to store 20 GB storage of hard disk data?  (Give your answer to the nearest whole number).      (2 marks)

            

           38. (a) Define the term Multimedia.             (2 marks)

           (b) List down four components required to make a computer multimedia.         (3 marks)

           39. Giving reasons in each case, suggest the most suitable backing store medium for each of the following:

            

           1. Data for payroll program.             (2 marks)
           2. Documents for a word processing program. (2 marks)
           • A company’s financial records for the last four years. (2 marks)

            

           40. (a) List any four examples of computer output devices.             (2 marks)

           (b)  Identify three functions of computer output devices.                                                (3 marks)

           41. Outline two advantages and two disadvantages of using a Monitor for output. (4 marks)
           42. (a) Show two differences between a CRT monitor and a Flat-panel display.     (2 marks)

           (b) Give three examples of flat-panel monitors available in the market today.  (3 marks)

           43. Describe five types of display video cards used in computers.             (5 marks)
           44. (a) What are pixels? (1 mark)

           (b) What role do pixels play in screen display?                                                    (1 mark)

           45. List three possible factors that you would consider when buying a computer monitor.                                                                                                       (3 marks)
           46. (a) What are Character printers?             (1 mark)

           (b) Give two examples of character printers.                                                        (2 marks)

           47. State any four differences between Printer output and Monitor output. (4 marks)
           48. Distinguish between Impact and Non-impact printers, and give two examples of each.                                                                                                       (3 marks)
           49. (a) State two advantages and one disadvantage of:                                            (6 marks)
           1. Laser printers.
           2. Inkjet printers.

           (b)  Distinguish between a Line printer and a Page printer.                                  (2 marks)

           50. List three differences between a laser printer and a dot matrix printer. (3 marks)
           51. (a) State two advantages of using a Printer for output.                                       (2 marks)

           (b)  Highlight four factors one should consider when purchasing a printer.         (4 marks)

           52. (a) Name two types of Plotters.                                                                           (1 mark)
               • State the main difference between the plotters you have named in (a) above. (2 marks)

           (c)  List three advantages of a Plotter over normal printer machines.                   (3 marks)

           53. Give two advantages of using sound output devices. (2 marks)
           54. George connected new multimedia speakers to his computer and tried to play his favourite music CD, but no sound came out. Suggest two problems that might have occurred.                                                                                                                                                  (2 marks)
           55. Give one device which can perform both input and output functions in a computer.                                                                                                       (1 mark)
           56. (a) Define the following terms:                                                                            (3 marks)
           58. Data interface cable.
           • Power cable.

           (b)  State the function of the Power supply unit found in the System unit.         (1 mark)

           57. (a) Name any two peripheral devices that are connected to the computer through the PS/2 port.                                                                                                 (1 mark)

           (b) Give two major advantages of a USB interface cable over other cables in the computer.                                                                                                                                         (2 marks)

           (c)  Explain two differences between Serial (COM) and Parallel (LPT) communication ports of a computer.                                                                                       (2 marks)

           58. In relation to cabling, give two reasons why a printer may not print work sent from the computer as expected?             (2 marks)

            

           59. (a) With reasons, briefly describe the most appropriate type of printer or output device for the output of:                                                                                                             (6 marks)
               1. Customer invoices on multiparty stationery.
               2. Letters to customers.
           • Detailed engineering designs.

           (b) Give three reasons why Optical disks are better storage devices compared to floppy disks.                                                                                                                         (3 marks)

           60. Outline three precautions one should take when assembling a computer. (3 marks)
           61. (a) Define computer Software. (2 marks)

           (b) Discuss the purpose and use of the following software found in microcomputers:

           1. System software. (8 marks)
           2. Application software. (7 marks)

           (c) You have been asked by a local secondary school to assist them in selecting a microcomputer for their use.  Discuss five hardware and five software factors you would consider in order to select the most suitable computer system.                    (10 marks)

           62. (a). What is a utility software?                                                                             (1 mark)

           (b). Give four examples of utility software.                                                         (2 marks)

           63. Give two reasons why people prefer in-house developed application programs to general-purpose application packages.             (2 marks)

            

           64. (a) Why is it important to carefully study a warranty before committing yourself by signing it?                                                                                                 (1 mark)

           (b) Give three reasons why one might purchase a computer with a one year warranty instead of a three year warranty.                                                                                 (3 marks)

           65. (a) What is a Standard software?                                                                         (1 mark)

           (b) Name five advantages and five disadvantages of off-the-shelf packages.     (10 marks)

           (c) Discuss four factors you would consider when purchasing an Application package.                                                                                                                                          (4 marks)

           66. Differentiate between single-purpose programs and integrated software. (2 marks)

            

           67. (a) A firm intends to purchase new software. List three items that should accompany the software.                                                                                                   (3 marks)

           (b) When buying a new software product, usually an installation guide is needed by the buyer.  State one reason for this.                                                                       (1 mark)

           68. State any two sources of an accounting application software for an organization.                                                                                                       (2 marks)
           69. Describe the following categories of software:             (2 marks)

           Differentiate between:

           • Proprietary software.

       (b)  What is meant by the term User-friendly as used in software development?            (1 mark)

       71. Write the following acronyms in full: (3 marks)
           • BIOS
           • EPROM
           • WAP
       72. Briefly state the need for:             (2 marks)
       • Software maintenance.
       • Software updates.
       73. A school bought a computer system. The hardware items supplied include: a 800 MHz processor, 640 MB of RAM, a sound card, speakers, a monitor, a keyboard, a 120 GB hard disk, a floppy disk drive, a CD -Read/Write drive, a mouse, a modem, an inkjet printer, and a joystick.

       The software supplied include: an operating system, a BASIC interpreter, and the following packages: spreadsheets, graphics, word processor, art, database and games.

   • Explain the meaning of the following:
4.  
   • 800 MHZ (2 marks)
   • 640 MB of RAM (2 marks)
   • 120 GB hard disk (2 marks)
     • Some of the students in the school use the computer to do homework.

   Name the package used to:

   • Do calculations and draw graphs. (1 mark)
   • Write an essay. (1 mark)
   • Make a poster. (1 mark)
   • Students enjoy playing noisy computer games.
   • Which two hardware items are needed to produce sound?             (2 marks)

    

   • Which input device is only used for playing games? (1 mark)

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