UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2020/2021
EXAMINATION FOR DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DIT 304: PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTER SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE
DATE: DECEMBER, 2021 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question ONE and Any Other Two Questions
QUESTION ONE (COMPULSORY)
a) Describe in details THREE major reasons why we partition drives just before formatting and
installation of operating systems. [6 Marks].
b) Discuss FIVE factors one would consider before purchasing a server for network operations.
[5 Marks]
c) Describe any THREE causes of overheating of microprocessor. [3 Marks]
d) Joe realized on his personal desktop that there was no display received from the VGA card
despite all other system components functioning well.
i. Discuss TWO possible faults with the system and relevant solutions. [4 Marks]
ii. Give TWO possible causes for the faults mentioned above. [2 Marks]
QUESTION TWO
a) Describe FOUR main system board components and their functions in computer operations.
(4 Marks)
b) Describe how you can disassemble a computer system. (5 Marks)
c) Mr. Kamau started his computer and after some minutes of operation the computer entered
into a deadlocked state. He was not able to perform any task. Explain in detail THREE exact
causes of the problem. (6 Marks)
QUESTION THREE
a) Daughter boards are commonly used when assembling computers, describe THREE
scenarios when they are applicable. (3 Marks)
b) Give the solutions for the following video display unit troubleshooting tips: (6 Marks)
i. The picture does not appear
ii. The screen is NOT synchronized
iii. Shaking screen
c) State and describe the process of setting up logical locations on system physical drivers and
give TWO reasons why we carry out the process. (3 Marks)
d) Philip was required to conduct training on the use of new computer systems in his company.
Describe TWO training methods that could have used. (3 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR
a) Discuss FOUR safety aspects that should be considered when selecting a power supply unit
(4 Marks)
b) Distinguish between disk compressor and disk defragmenter utilities as used in computers.
(2 Marks)
c) Sarah noted that some of her documents in her computer were encrypted and she was forced
to pay a certain fee through internet to decrypt her files.
i. Identify this type of attack (1 Mark)
ii. Outline four causes of attack identified in (i). (4 Marks)
d) Give the procedure of how one would install a PS2 KEYBOARD device while the computer
is still on. (4 Marks)
