ADVANCED COMPUTER HARDWARE

Question 1

What is POST(Power On Self Test) and how does it work?

Answer 1

A hardware check on the main components of the computer performed by the BIOS when the system boots.
Different errors have different beep codes
*To test whether POST is working remove all RAM modules. Beep code for a computer with no RAM should sound

Question 2

What is BIOS

Answer 2

A ROM chip on the motherboard that contains a small program that controls the communication between the operating system and the hardware

Question 3

Functions of BIOS?

Answer 3

Identifies:
Which drives are available
Which drives are bootable
Memory configuration
PCI and PCIe configuration
SATA and USB cable configuration
POST

Question 4

Where are BIOS settings stored

Answer 4

CMOS battery

Question 5

What is UEFI and what are its functions?

Answer 5

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface(newer BIOS)
Supports larger boot drives and includes safety features eg secure boot(computer boots to your specified operating systems preventing rootkits from taking over the system.)

Question 6

What is flashing the BIOS?

Answer 6

Upgrading the the BIOS without opening the computer case. Possible because BIOS are EEPROM

Question 7

How is the power of a CPU measured?

Answer 7

speed

amount of data it can process

Question 8

What is overlocking?

Answer 8

Technique used to make a processor work at faster speeds than its original specification.
Not recommended

Question 9

What is CPU throttling

Answer 9

Technique used when the processor runs at less than the rated speed to conserve power or produce less heat

Question 10

What is CPU virtualization and what is its function?

Answer 10

Hardware feature that enables a single processor to act as multiple processors ( supported by AMD and Intel CPUs)
Multiple Operating systems can run parallel at the same time

Question 11

What is a multi core processors and what is its advantage`

Answer 11

Two or more processors on the same integrated circuit..
This creates a very fast connection between them. Instructions are executed faster
Also conserves power produces less heat thus increasing efficiency

Question 12

Types of CPUs ?

Answer 12

single  core-1
dual core-2
triple core- quad core with one disabled
Quad core-4
Hexa core-6
Octa core-8

Question 13

What is a GPU: types and functions?

Answer 13

Graphics Processing Unit. It performs rapid mathematical calculations required to render graphics.
types: Integrated- embedded in the CPU and is dependent on system RAM(cheaper and less heat)
Dedicated-separate with its own video memory dedicated exclusively for graphical processing(good for intense gaming)