UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2014/2015
EXAMINATION FOR THE DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER
MAINTENANCE
DCM104: COMPUTER PRINCIPLES
DATE: NOVEMBER, 2014 TIME: 1½HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer any THREE Questions.
QUESTION ONE
(a) Using appropriate examples, explain the following terms: – [12 Marks]
i. Data
ii. Information
iii. System
iv. Peripheral devices
v. Hardware
vi. software
(b) Highlight five advantages and three disadvantages of computer networks to an
organization [8 Marks]
QUESTION TWO
(a) With the aid of diagrams, describe the following network topologies: – [9 Marks]
i. Bus topology
ii. Ring topology
iii. Star topology
(b) Highlight three major functions of RAM [3 Marks]
(c) Outline five characteristics of computer systems [5 Marks]
(d) Briefly explain three features of computer systems [3 Marks]
QUESTION THREE
(a) Using a well labelled diagram, show that a computer is a system of hardware devices
organized according to the following functions: – [10 Marks]
i. Input
ii. Processing
iii. Output
iv. Storage
v. Output
vi. Control
(b) Distinguish between LAN and WAN [4 Marks]
(c) Discuss the characteristics of that good information should possess in order to aid
management in the performance of the key functions of planning, control and
decision making [6 Marks]
QUESTION FOUR
(a) List and briefly describe four factors you would consider while buying computer
software’s [8 Marks]
(b) Using examples, distinguish between the following terms:-
i. Application software and system software
ii. Internal computer hardware and external hardware
iii. Input and output devices
[6 Marks]
(c) i. Define the term ‘Internet’ [2 Marks]
ii. List and briefly describe four benefits of the Internet to an
organization [4 Marks]
QUESTION FIVE
(a) Give appropriate applications of the following computer devices:-
i. Bar code reader
ii. MICR
iii. OMR
iv. SIMM cards
v. Kimball tag reader
[5 Marks]
(b) List and briefly describe any four utility programs you are familiar with [4 Marks]
(c) Highlight six functions of computer operating systems [6 Marks]
(d) What do the following abbreviations stand for:- [5 Marks]
i. ROM
ii. GB
iii. MHZ
iv. RAM
v. OCR
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