UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2021/2022
EXAMINATION FOR THE DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/
DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DIT 108: COMPUTER ORGANISATION AND ARCHITECTURE
FULLTIME/ PART TIME
DATE: NOVEMBER, 2021 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: QUESTION ONE IS COMPULSORY, CHOOSE TWO OTHER
QUESTIONS
QUESTION ONE (20 MARKS) Compulsory
a) Define the following acronyms and terms as used in computer systems [5 Marks]
(i) ISA
(ii) binary
(iii) 3Gb
(iv) CD RW
(v) EEPROM
b) Differentiate between the following expressions used in computer systems [8 Marks]
(i) Computer architecture and computer organisation
(ii) CMOS and Cache
(iii) Analogue and digital
(iv) Northbridge and southbridge
c) Perform the following operation 10110001 – 101111 [2 Marks]
d) Name the four components that make up a modern computer as first developed in the von
Neumann machine. For each give the function. A neat diagram should accompany the
description [5 Marks]
QUESTION TWO (15 MARKS)
a) Explain four reasons why an organization may decide to buy ready-made software instead of
developing software in house. [4 Marks]
b) State and explain any two features of third generation computers. [4 Marks]
c) Define the following terms as used in computing: [5 Marks]
i) Byte
ii) Logic gate
iii) Binary notation
iv) Information
v) Memory
d) State the functions of the following [2 Marks]
i. Memory stick
ii. Motherboard
QESTION THREE (15 MARKS)
a) Define the term device driver. Give reasons why it is important to install device drivers when
integrating hardware devices (4 Marks)
b) Give the function of the following parts of a computer (4 Marks)
i. Registers
ii. Motherboard
iii. Peripheral devices
iv. Ports
c) Give any two differences between Random access memory (RAM) and Read only memory
(ROM) as used in computing [3 Marks]
d) Give any four functions the Operating system in a computer [4 Marks]
QUESTION FOUR (15 MARKS)
a) List any two logic gates and give their truth tables and draw the symbols [5 Marks]
b) Give the difference between SSI and VLSI [2 Marks]
c) Describe any two input devices used with computers today. [4 Marks]
d) Make the following number conversions [4 Marks]
(i) 277.63(8) to ______________(10)
(ii) 110010010(2) to ____________(8)
(iii) 4A0.5F(16) to ______________(2)
(iv) 33.33(10) to ______________(16)
