COMPUTER ORGANIZATION 2

Question 1

SYSTEM UNIT

function?

Answer 1

Houses primary devices that perform operations and produce results from complex calculations

Question 2

MEMORY UNIT

Def and function

Answer 2

Component that stores data and instructions and information during and after processing by the ALU

Question 3

MEMORY UNIT

Categories of memory

Answer 3

long term-Permanent
Short term-Temporary
Dynamic/volatile-only when the computer is off(needs refreshing)
Static/Non-volatile-retains indefinitely

Question 4

MEMORY UNIT
ROM(Read Only Memory)
Function and characteristics(2)

Answer 4

Stores Basic Input Output system- Stores instructions or booting the computer

a) Data &instructions can be read but not modified
b) Permanent`

Question 5

MEMORY UNIT
RAM(Random Access Memory)
Functions and characteristics(2)

Answer 5

Stores data and instructions during execution of programs

1. Temporary-Erased when the computer is switched off
2. Read/Write type memory

Question 6

MEMORY UNIT

Differences between ROM and RAM(4)

Answer 6

ROM RAM
nonvolatile volatile
cheaper expensive
permanent temporary
Contents always known contents are not
and can be verified known

Question 7

MEMORY UNIT

metric?

Answer 7

Bit
Byte-8 bits
Kilobyte( KB)-1024 bytes
MB-1024 KB
Gigabyte-1024MB
Terabyte-1024GB

Question 8

STORAGE UNIT

Function?

Answer 8

Stores Data and instructions permanently so that they could be retrieved whenever necessary

Question 9

STORAGE UNIT

types?

Answer 9

1. Secondary- Data will be used eventually in the long run eg DVD,CD
2. Primary- Data will be used in the near future. Temporary eg ROM &RAM
3. Registers-Data immediately related to the operation being executed. In the CPU

Question 10

STORAGE UNIT
STORAGE DEVICES
Types of Magnetic Storage Devices and their characteristics

Answer 10

1. HARD DISK DRIVES(HDD)
   - Uses magnetic storage to store and retrieve digital data using one or more rigidly rotating platters
   - Stores the operating system, application programs and data
2. FLOPPY DISKETTE
   - Small portable magnetic disks that hold a limited amount of data
3. TAPE DRIVES
   - Used for archiving data
   - Use a magnetic read/write head and removable tape cartridge

Question 11

STORAGE UNIT
STORAGE DEVICES
Semiconductor storage

Answer 11

SOLID STATE DRIVES(SSD)

Stores data as electrical charges in semiconductor flash memory making them much faster than magnetic HDDs

Question 12

STORAGE UNIT
STORAGE DEVICES
Optical Storage devices

Answer 12

1. OPTICAL DRIVE
   Uses a light beam and sensor to read the data
   2.COMPACT DISKS
   900 MBs - Used for Data and also audio recordings
   3.Digital Versatile Disc(DVD)
   Large apps, Large amounts of data and standard definition movies-4.67GB
   4.BLU-RAY DISCS-128 GBs

• All three discs can be read-only(ROM), recordable once(R) or rewritable(RW)
• To record or rewrite a disc one must have a drive that supports it

Question 13

STORAGE UNIT
STORAGE DEVICES
Network Drives

Answer 13

• Use network to access a storage on another computer or server where space is provided for storage of data
• Storage via a network is called Network Attached Storage(NAS)
• Network drives appear as Q:\ or R:\

Question 14

STORAGE UNIT
STORAGE DEVICES
Flash memory and cards

Answer 14

Rewritable and non volatile

Portable devices eg cameras

Question 15

STORAGE UNIT
STORAGE DEVICES
Cloud Storage

Answer 15

Secure computing environment consisting of a set of remote servers that users access via the internet eg Microsoft One drive

Question 16

PERIPHERAL DEVICES

eg?

Answer 16

Any device you attach to your computer eg scanner and printer

Question 17

Factors that impact Computer’s performance

Answer 17

CPU speed
Memory system performance: RAM size and speed
Hard Disk speed and Capacity
I/O system performance
Number of applications running

Question 18

Advantages of SSD over HDDs

Answer 18

-No moving parts, makes no noise, more energy efficient and produce less heat

Question 19

Advantages of flash drives

Answer 19

Increased Durability. 
Maximum Portability.
Plenty of Storage Capacity. 
Fast Transfer Speeds. 
Compatibility with Many Devices. 
Can erase and rewrite severally (CD-1)