Basic components of a computer system

The governing concept is paging: virtual memory reserves part of a storage device to act as an extension of RAM when physical RAM is insufficient. Storage, especially when used repeatedly for page transfers, generally has higher access latency than RAM. The processor must wait more often, so performance can decline. Thus option B is correct; virtual memory is not a printer feature and does not automatically erase files or turn off the screen.

Positive pressure means that slightly more air is pushed into the cabinet than is expelled. If the intake openings have suitable filters, air tends to leave through gaps instead of unfiltered gaps drawing dusty air inward. This can reduce dust accumulation, although it does not replace cleaning or proper airflow design. Therefore option A is correct; pressure cannot add CPU cores, storage, or justify turning off fans.

During startup, firmware performs an initial hardware check, commonly called POST. If a memory module is loose or poorly connected, the system may fail this check, show no normal display, fail to boot, or produce a beep pattern. The exact signal depends on the system design, but option C describes the relevant indication. Printer activity, monitor size, and increased storage are not normal effects of incorrectly installed memory.

A beep code is part of firmware-based startup diagnostics, often associated with POST. Its meaning is not universal: different motherboard or firmware manufacturers can assign different patterns to memory, display, or other hardware faults. The technician must consult the documentation for the particular system. Therefore option D is correct, while a file name, screen brightness, or printer paper does not define the code’s meaning.

Heavy graphics workloads place increased electrical and thermal demand on the graphics card and the system’s cooling path. If temperatures rise too far, protection may shut the computer down; if the power supply lacks sufficient capacity or has unstable delivery, the same workload can cause crashes or shutdowns. Checking both temperature, airflow, and power capacity addresses the two strongest hardware possibilities. Thus option D is correct.