Basic components of a computer system

Correct answer: D. Program results based on conditions and decisions

Explanation: The logical part of the ALU evaluates relationships such as greater than, less than or equal to. Programming conditions use these comparisons to choose branches, repeat loops or make decisions. If the comparison is wrong, the program may follow the wrong path and produce an incorrect result. Hence option D is correct; file colour, monitor power and printer ink are not direct logical-comparison results.

Correct answer: A. Coordinating communication among the processor, memory and devices

Explanation: A motherboard chipset provides important communication and control pathways among the processor, memory and connected hardware. It helps determine which components are supported and how data moves between them. Thus option A describes its main purpose. A chipset is not a printer-paper holder, a file-management command or a wallpaper display function; options B, C and D belong to unrelated devices or software actions.

Correct answer: B. A socket, chipset or firmware compatibility issue

Explanation: Physical insertion is only one part of processor compatibility. The socket must provide the correct electrical and mechanical connection, while the chipset and motherboard firmware must recognize and support the processor’s design. Therefore option B is correct. Monitor brightness, printer paper and a folder name cannot determine whether a processor is supported by a motherboard.

Correct answer: C. The RAM may run at the supported speed or may be incompatible

Explanation: A memory module’s rated speed is not automatically the speed used by the whole system. The motherboard and processor establish supported limits, so compatible faster RAM may be configured to operate at a lower supported speed. In other cases, differences in memory type or firmware support can prevent operation. Therefore option C is correct; capacity and printer speed do not automatically increase.

Correct answer: D. Increasing parallel data capacity of the memory path

Explanation: When the motherboard, processor and modules support dual-channel operation, correctly paired RAM modules can allow the memory controller to transfer data across two channels. This may increase memory bandwidth, improving data movement in suitable workloads. Therefore option D is correct. It does not enlarge the monitor, save printer ink or permanently change the hard disk’s speed, and bandwidth is different from total RAM capacity.

Correct answer: A. Stable voltage and protection help prevent component damage

Explanation: Wattage indicates how much power a PSU can provide, but it does not alone describe voltage regulation, efficiency, ripple control or protective features. A good PSU supplies stable power and can help protect components during faults or fluctuations. Hence option A is correct. PSU quality does not compress files, determine case colour or become unrelated to hardware; options B, C and D confuse electrical supply with software or appearance.

Correct answer: B. Random restarts or component instability

Explanation: A PSU must provide not only sufficient wattage but also regulated voltage. Unstable voltage can cause the motherboard, processor, memory or storage devices to behave unpredictably, leading to crashes, random restarts or failure to start. Therefore option B is correct. Such a fault does not specifically rename files, stop only the printer or convert volatile RAM into permanent storage; those distractors describe unrelated effects.

Correct answer: D. Because airflow is blocked, the heat sink contact is poor, or the fan is inadequate

Explanation: The governing concept is heat transfer in a computer system. A spinning fan does not guarantee that heat is being removed effectively. Dust may block air vents, the heat sink may not touch the processor properly, thermal paste may have deteriorated, or the fan may be too slow or undersized. Therefore, option D is correct. Low RAM can reduce multitasking performance, but it does not directly prevent CPU heat from leaving; an old keyboard driver and a full printer queue are unrelated.

Correct answer: A. Electronic memory does not wait for a mechanical head to move

Explanation: The governing concept is storage access latency. An SSD stores data in flash memory and uses electronic controllers, so it does not need to wait for a spinning platter or a mechanical read/write head to move to the required location. Thus, option A is correct. An SSD is not the same as RAM: both are different types of memory with different purposes. It also needs electrical power and can store many files, so options B, C and D are incorrect.

Correct answer: B. The mechanical read mechanism must repeatedly move to different locations

Explanation: The governing concept is disk fragmentation and mechanical seek time. When pieces of one file are stored in separated locations on a traditional hard disk, the read/write head may need to move repeatedly between tracks or sectors. These extra movements increase access time and can reduce performance, so option B is correct. Fragmentation does not reduce the physical amount of RAM, change monitor power needs, or affect printer ink. Solid-state drives generally have no comparable mechanical head movement.

Correct answer: C. Drive technology, the connection interface or background tasks may impose limits

Explanation: The governing concept is the difference between storage capacity and storage performance. Free space tells us how much data can still be stored; it does not guarantee a high write rate. The drive type, controller, connection interface, health of the device, simultaneous background activity and thermal limits may restrict writing speed. Therefore, option C is correct. Free space does not always stop writing, and a mouse or monitor does not perform the drive’s writing operation.

Correct answer: D. The port limit may reduce the actual transfer speed

Explanation: The governing concept is a hardware bottleneck in a data-transfer path. A fast external SSD may support a high transfer rate, but an older USB port can provide a lower maximum bandwidth. The actual speed is therefore limited by the slower interface, along with cable and protocol conditions, so option D is correct. The SSD does not turn into RAM, files are not automatically erased, and monitor resolution is unrelated to the USB connection.

Correct answer: A. Handling visual data without placing the full load on main RAM

Explanation: The governing concept is dedicated graphics memory, often called video memory. It stores image data, textures, frames and other graphics information close to the graphics processor, reducing the need to use the computer’s main RAM for all visual work. Therefore, option A is correct. This memory does not power the whole computer, does not serve as permanent document storage, and does not interpret keyboard signals. It is specialized memory for graphics processing.

Correct answer: C. Because the problem may also be in the graphics card, driver or video signal

Explanation: The governing concept is systematic fault diagnosis across the display chain. Distorted graphics may be caused by the monitor, graphics card, display driver, cable, connector, video signal or excessive heat. Consequently, replacing only the monitor may not solve the problem, making option C correct. A keyboard does not normally generate display images, the monitor mainly displays rather than stores graphics data, and a printer does not control the screen output. Each part should be tested separately.

Correct answer: D. The speakers, cable or electrical interference

Explanation: The governing concept is fault isolation in an audio signal chain. If the sound card produces a correct signal, the likely fault lies after that point: the speakers may be damaged, the cable or plug may be loose, or electrical interference may enter the connection. Therefore, option D is correct. The processor instruction cycle, address-bus width and ROM capacity are internal specifications that do not normally create noise only in external speakers when the sound-card output is already correct.

Correct answer: A. Cable quality, network devices, distance and traffic may limit actual speed

Explanation: The governing concept is the difference between nominal capability and measured throughput. A network card’s rated speed is usually a maximum under specified conditions. In practice, cable quality, network equipment, wireless interference, distance, protocol overhead, congestion and the speed of the remote device can reduce the data rate. Hence, option A is correct. The rating is not limited to printers, network cards do transmit data, and actual speed is not always higher than the advertised value.

Correct answer: B. Check the wireless adapter, signal strength and driver

Explanation: The governing concept is fault isolation: because wired networking works, the router’s general internet service and much of the network path are probably available. Attention should therefore move to the wireless adapter, weak signal, interference, incorrect wireless settings, or an outdated driver. Option B is correct because it checks the components specific to wireless communication; an optical drive, printer cartridge, and monitor brightness cannot normally cause repeated Wi-Fi drops.

Correct answer: D. A key contact, repeat setting, or driver problem

Explanation: The governing concept is symptom-based hardware troubleshooting. Multiple characters from one press suggest that the keyboard may be generating repeated signals, or that the operating system is repeating a valid signal too quickly. Option D is correct because it includes a faulty key contact, an unsuitable repeat-rate setting, or a driver problem. Disk capacity, display resolution, and printer status do not explain this keyboard symptom.

Correct answer: A. Touch calibration or a related driver correction

Explanation: The governing concept is coordinate mapping between an input surface and the displayed image. Since the visual output is correct but the touch location is offset, the screen must be recalibrated or its touch driver corrected so physical coordinates match screen coordinates. Option A is correct. Formatting a disk, replacing a printer, or removing a sound card does not repair touchscreen coordinate mapping.

Correct answer: B. The optical reading part of the barcode scanner

Explanation: The governing concept is tracing an error through the input-processing-output chain. A correctly decoded barcode shows that the scanner’s optical reading and basic input stage performed successfully. Therefore, option B should not be blamed first. Investigation should move to the product database, stored data record, or price-mapping software, where the code may be linked to an incorrect value. This conclusion follows directly from the stated symptom.

Correct answer: C. Check scan quality, glass, and the original document

Explanation: The governing concept is ‘garbage in, garbage out’: recognition software cannot reliably recover characters from a poor source image. A blurry scan may result from dirty glass, unsuitable resolution, poor focus, or a damaged or unclear original. Option C is correct because it improves the input before processing. Editing recognition results manually treats the symptom, while monitor settings and the power supply are not the first checks.

Correct answer: D. Ink, colour settings, or printer calibration

Explanation: The governing concept is separating transmitted data from physical output. If the printer receives the correct document data, the problem is likely in colour reproduction rather than data transfer. Empty or mixed ink cartridges, an incorrect colour profile, driver settings, or poor calibration can produce wrong colours. Option D is correct; address-bus width, RAM type, and keyboard layout do not normally control printed colour accuracy.

Correct answer: A. It may fail to support the load and shut down immediately

Explanation: The governing concept is matching power capacity to electrical load. A UPS is rated for a maximum load, commonly expressed in watts or VA. If the computer demands more than that rating, the UPS may overload, trigger protection, provide unstable support, or shut down instead of maintaining power. Option A is correct. RAM, monitor quality, and automatic file backup do not increase because a UPS is undersized.

Correct answer: B. Its battery stores limited energy and its main purpose is safe shutdown

Explanation: The governing concept is limited stored energy. A UPS uses a rechargeable battery to bridge a short interruption, but battery capacity and the connected load determine runtime. More load consumes stored energy faster, so a typical UPS is intended to keep equipment running briefly or allow a safe shutdown, not to replace mains electricity for hours. Option B is correct; the other choices state false or irrelevant reasons.

Correct answer: C. Some basic hardware configuration settings

Explanation: The governing concept is the role of the small CMOS or real-time-clock battery. It preserves the system clock and helps retain certain firmware configuration values when the computer is switched off. When it weakens, settings such as boot order or hardware-related preferences may reset or show warnings. Option C is correct. It does not change printer ink, mouse dimensions, or erase all personal documents.