Computer Organization And Architecture Question Paper
Computer Organization And Architecture
Course:Bachelor Of Science In Information Technology
Institution: Kca University question papers
Exam Year:2009
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2008/2009
FIRST YEAR EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF
SCIENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BIT 1106: COMPUTER ORGANIZATION AND ARCHITECTURE
DATE: AUGUST 2009 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer question ONE and any other TWO questions
QUESTION ONE
(a) What typical features differentiated third generation computers from second generation?
(3 Marks)
(b) Convert the following: 110010110111.1100111 to:
(i) Octal (2 Marks)
(ii) Decimal (4 Marks)
(iii) Hexadecimal (2 Marks)
(c) Explain the meaning of the following terms within the context of computer systems
i) Peripherals devices
ii) Virtual storage
iii) ROM BIOS
iv) Co-Processor
v) Motherboard
(5 Marks)
(d) i) What is a system bus? (2 Marks)
ii) Explain the three major components of a system bus. (3 Marks)
2
(e) Briefly discuss THREE major file organization methods and for each explain the access method
applicable. (9 Marks)
QUESTION TWO
(a) Briefly explain the bootstrap process during the loading of an operating system. (3 Marks)
(b) Briefly explain four main functions of an operating system. (6Marks)
(c) What is a Web Browser? Name any 2 Web Browsers. (3 Marks)
(d) Name TWO categories of computer viruses and describe their payload. (4 Marks)
(e) What is fragmentation and what does de-fragmenting a drive do? (4 Marks)
QUESTION THREE
By explaining each of the following terms distinguish between:
(a) Smart card and mouse. (4 Marks)
(b) Mark sensing and optical character recognition. (4 Marks)
(c) Printers and plotters. (4 Marks)
(d) Optical disk and Winchester disk. (4 Marks)
(e) COM and Voice-response unit. (4 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR
(a) Explain the term machine cycle and, state and explain the actions that take place during the
machine cycle. (10 Marks)
(b) Distinguish between op-code and operand (4 Marks)
(c) Computers or processors are described in terms of word-length, speed and the capacity of their
associated primary storage.
REQUIRED
(i) In each of the above descriptions indicate the units of measure used. (3 Marks)
3
(ii) Explain the term word-length. (3 Marks)
QUESTION FIVE
(a) A computer system consists of the four main parts INPUT, CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU),
SECONDARY or BACKING STORAGE and OUTPUT. Show these on diagrams indicating clearly:
(i) The three component parts of the CPU.
(ii) The flows of program instruction, data and control within the computer system, making clear
distinctions between them. (10 Marks)
(b) List FOUR reasons why computer systems need secondary storage. Would a system with magnetic
disk and optical storage system meet all the storage requirements? (10 Marks)
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