UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2014/2015
EXAMINATION FOR THE DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER
MAINTENANCE
DCM 105: MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEMS INSTALLATION AND
MAINTENANCE
DATE: NOVEMBER, 2014 TIME: 1½HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer any THREE Questions
QUESTION ONE
a) Describe the following hard drive partitions
i) Primary partition [2 Marks]
ii) Extended partition [2 Marks]
b) Describe any five health and safety rules that need to be observed when assembling and
using computers [10 Marks]
c) Briefly describe the following motherboard components
i) USB port [1 Mark]
ii) RAM slots [1 Mark]
iii) IDE controller [1 Mark]
iv) CMOS Battery [1 Mark]
v) Processor socket [1 Mark]
vi) PCI slot [1 Mark]
QUESTION TWO
a) After installing the networking components, the Windows XP Setup Wizard automatically starts the final step in the installation process.
Required:
Describe the tasks performed by the Setup Wizard to complete the installation [10 Marks]
b) Describe how you can disassemble a computer system [6 Marks]
c) Name any four external computer components [4 Marks]
QUESTION THREE
a) Differentiate static RAM (SRAM) from dynamic RAM (DRAM) [6 Marks]
b) Briefly describe the following CPU components
i) Registers
ii) External data bus
iii) Clock
[6 Marks]
c) Describe any two power supply problems [4 Marks]
d) Differentiate between online UPS and offline UPS [4 Marks]
QUESTION FOUR
a) Describe the three factors to consider when choosing a monitor [6 Marks]
b) Give any six common printer problems [6 Marks]
c) Describe any four portable computing devices [8 Marks]
QUESTION FIVE
a) Describe the common symptoms of the following failed devices
i) Flash drive [2 Marks]
ii) Microprocessor [2 Marks]
iii) Power supply unit [2 Marks]
b) Describe how you can perform the following using windows XP
i) Modify regional settings [3 Marks]
ii) Remove Microsoft word program from a computer [3 Marks]
c) Explain what is meant by motherboard form factor and differentiate between AT and
ATX motherboard form factors [8 Marks]
