NCC EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER STUDIES FUNDAMENTALS OF HARDWARE AND OPERATING SYSTEMS MARCH 2012 LOCAL EXAMINATION

SECTION A Answer all questions in this section.

SECTION B Answer any two questions in this section.

Time: 2 hours

Clearly cross out surplus answers. Failure to do this in Section B will result in only the first two answers being marked.

Any reference material brought into the examination room must be handed to the invigilator before the start of the examination.

Fundamentals of Hardware and Operating Systems

March 2012

Final

NCC Education Ltd 2012

SECTION A ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION

Marks QUESTION 1 Describe the differences between peer-to-peer networks and client-server networks.

QUESTION 2 What are the key characteristics of a typical PC System Unit Case?

QUESTION 3 What are the major components of interest in a PC system, briefly describe them? QUESTION 4 Describe Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection (CSMA/CD).

10

QUESTION 5 Describe Two (2) varieties of interrupts used in PCs.

QUESTION 6 Describe the USB Architecture, use a diagram to support your answer.

QUESTION 7 Convert the following hexadecimal numbers to binary and decimal . FA 4C

Total 40 Marks

QUESTIONS CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE Page 2 of 4

Fundamentals of Hardware and Operating Systems March 2012 Final NCC Education Ltd 2012

SECTION B ANSWER ANY TWO QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION

Marks QUESTION 1 a) Name the various ATX ports and back panel connections below: 15

b)

i) ii)

Explain how a parallel port differs from a serial port Give one example of each type of port.

2 2 6 5 Total 30 Marks

c) d)

Explain THREE reasons why the USB architecture has become very popular. Give a detailed description of character framing.

QUESTION 2 a) b) c) d) e) List SIX (6) symptoms of a modem failure. Explain the purposes of the Power On Self Test (POST) in a computer system. List FIVE (5) characteristics to consider when designing a system unit case. Describe how an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) protects a computer. What is the function of the disk cleanup utility? 6 12 5 5 2 Total 30 Marks

QUESTIONS CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE Page 3 of 4

Fundamentals of Hardware and Operating Systems March 2012 Final NCC Education Ltd 2012

Marks QUESTION 3 a) b) In terms of internet connectivity describe the basic devices that are used to pass messages. Describe the four common methods (wired) that users can utilise to connect to the internet, highlighting any advantages and disadvantages. If you feel that diagrams will support your answer please use them. Total 30 Marks 10 20

END OF EXAM

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Fundamentals of Hardware and Operating Systems March 2012 Final NCC Education Ltd 2012