Question 2 – Hardware and Software The N&I (New and Impr…

Question 2 – Hardware and Software The N&I (New and Improved) Election Party opened its doors at 25 Democratic Street, Pietermaritzburg.  They urgently need to get their computer systems in order and have asked you to share some of your computer expertise in setting up various systems for their use. An old second-hand computer has been donated to them for their use.  Study the following specifications of their second-hand computer: Intel Pentium 1.6 GHz processor 128 MB RAM – upgrade to 1 GB 256 KB Level 2 cache memory 40 GB IDE HDD 3.5” 1.44 MB diskette drive PCI SVGA card – 1 MB 2D ISA slots 2 serial ports, 1 parallel port Plug-and-play Windows 98

2.1 You look at the specifications of the donated computer…

2.1 You look at the specifications of the donated computer and advise the chairman that the unit is not usable and that they will need to purchase an entry level new computer.   2.1.1 What is meant by the term “Entry level”? (2) 2.1.2 You explain that the hardware components listed above are so out of date that to maintain the computer would be impossible. What are the specifications of the hardware components that could be expected in a modern entry level PC? Deal with the memory and the storage. Supply the unit of measurement in both cases as well as the actual size/speed. (4) 2.1.3 Explain why the memory is so much smaller than the storage. (4) 2.1.4 A printer needs to be purchased. Name two types of printers. (2) 2.1.5 Select one of the above types for the chairman and motivate your choice (3)

1.1.1 You would like to start a computer centre at your sc…

1.1.1 You would like to start a computer centre at your school.  Which communication network would you most likely use?   a WAN   b LAN   c GAN   d MAN         1.1.2 A printer is usually connected to a computer by a….   a bus line   b internal clock   c usb port   d serial port         1.1.3 The built-in facility of Windows XP or later to automatically add new hardware:   a 32-bit data bus   b TCP/IP   c Windows Explorer   d Plug and Play         1.1.4 A technique used to prevent unauthorised use of sensitive information is…..   a blocking   b encryption   c decryption   d hashing         1.1.5 A storage device is classified as an …………… device   a input   b output   c input/output   d none of the above       (5)

INSTRUCTIONS – READ CAREFULLY 1. This paper consists o…

INSTRUCTIONS – READ CAREFULLY 1. This paper consists of 6 pages. Please check that your question paper is complete. 2. Answer all questions on your exam pad. After completing the paper, scan in your answers, in the correct order, to a pdf file, and then upload. Remember to save your files with the name of the document and your name before uploading. 3. Read the questions carefully and make sure that you answer all parts of each question.   4. Show all working where applicable.   5. Non-programmable calculators may be used.   6. Number your answers exactly as the questions are numbered. 7. It is in your own interest to write legibly and to present your work neatly.

Column A Column B            1. Bandwidth A.  Th…

Column A Column B            1. Bandwidth A.  The weakening of signal strength over distance.   2.   Unshielded twisted pair B   A suite of protocols used on the internet.   3.   Uninterrupted Power Supply C.  A wireless technology for sending data over short distances using radio waves.   4. Firewall D.  Using air as a communication medium.   5. Attenuation E.  Software that monitors computer usage and sends details to a third party.   6. Unbound Media F.  A powerful computer that controls and supplies resources to nodes on a network.     7. TCP/IP G.   A device that ensures a continuous supply of power to sensitive equipment.   8. Bluetooth H.   A copper wire cable used with star topology networks.     9. Server I.    A system to stop unauthorised use of a private network.     10. Spyware J.   The maximum data handling capacity of a communication medium.           (10)

1.2 Write down the most applicable term for each of the fo…

1.2 Write down the most applicable term for each of the following descriptions. Write out the word(s) in full.   1.2.1 A device used to connect all the computers in a network.   1.2.2 A type of cable that is not affected by EMI(Electro-magnetic Interference) and lightning in a computer network.   1.2.3 A place that allows people to access the Internet using a wireless connection on a mobile computing device.   1.2.4 The unit in which the speed of data transfer is measured.   1.2.5 A device that allows us to connect LANs together to form a WAN       (5)     [10]

3.3 There are many different ways of connecting to the int…

3.3 There are many different ways of connecting to the internet.   3.3.1 What type of internet connection would you recommend to the chairman? (1) 3.3.2 Motivate your answer. (2) 3.3.3 With each type of connection there are several package offerings. Recommend a package dealing specifically with CAP and Bandwidth. (4)     [22]