UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2018/2019
EXAMINATION FOR THE DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
DIT304 PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTER SUPPORT MAINTENANCE
FULLTIME/PARTIME
DATE: NOVEMBER, 2018 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question ONE AND any other TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE
a) Why is it important to discharge yourself before embarking to maintain any electronic
gadget (1 Mark)
b) State the FIVE considerations needed before connecting a memory to the system.
(5 Marks)
c) As a teacher of Makueni group of schools, you have been appointed to sit on the
procurement committee to discuss the type of computers to be purchased to enhance
studies. Discuss what you will advise. (8 Marks)
d) With relevant examples, describe the use of the following MS DOS commands:
(2 Marks)
i. ATTRIB
ii. DIR
e) State any FOUR causes of overheating of a microprocessor? (4 Marks)
f) Amani was required to replace a faulty RAM chip in a computer. Outline FOUR
precautions that she could observe in order to accomplish the task. (4 Marks)
g) Explain the most obvious symptoms of a malfunctioning Power supply. (2 Marks)
h) What is a power surge? (2 Marks)
i) Discus the main differences between Multitasking and Multiprocessing? (2 Marks)
QUESTION TWO
a) We have different electronic devices that support computer operations. Kindly
differentiate with regards to functionality of
i.PSU
ii. UPS (6 Marks)
b) With the aid of a diagram, explain the components of a PSU. (8 Marks)
c) Describe the following motherboard form factors. (4 Marks)
i) AT Motherboard
ii) ATX Motherboard
d) Explain TWO major reasons of drive partitioning during operating system installation.
(2 Marks)
QUESTION THREE
a) Discuss FIVE hard drive preventive maintenance procedures (PM) (5 Marks)
b) Describe the boot process of a computer system. (5 Marks)
c) Describe how you can disassemble a computer system. (5 Marks)
d) Explain the functions of the following tools: (5 Marks)
i. Blower
ii. Lint-Free dusters
iii. Crimping tool
iv. Multimeter
v. Boot disc
QUESTION FOUR
a) List down two disk management tools and explain their purposes. (6 Marks)
b) Differentiates between Serial and Parallel Port? (4 Marks)
c) Describe the boot process of a computer system. (5 Marks)
d) Give an explanation, diagnosis and recommendation for the following problems in computer
hardware. (5 Marks)
i. Power supply not functioning
ii. No video displayed
iii. No BIOS start up screen.
QUESTION FIVE
a) What is the difference between integrated and non-integrated motherboard?
(4 Marks)
b) A lecturer described FAT 16 to a computer maintenance and support class. Outline
FOUR disadvantages of FAT 16 that he could have mentioned (4 Marks)
c) Computer technician experience several challenges when carrying out routine
maintenance. Outline any THREE challenges they could experience (3 Marks)
d) Describe FOUR main system board components and their functions in computer
operations (3 Marks)
e) Explain the functions of the following printer hardware parts:
i. Fuser unit (2 Marks)
ii. Laser unit (2 Marks)
iii. Pick up rollers (2 Marks)
