Computer Organization and Question Bank

1) Define the term operating system.

2) Define the term bit.
Example Answer (Minimal) unit of storage that can be set to 0 or 1;
3) Define and Outline the function of the terms CPU,ALU, CU,MAR,MDR , ADDRESS BUS ,
DATA BUS

Example answer ALU - Part of a processor that performs arithmetic and logical
operations;
4) Outline the role of the memory data register in the machine execution cycle.
Example Answer
Holds (a copy of) the contents of the memory;
Which are to be transferred from/to memory to/from other CPU components;
Allowing the processor and memory to act independently/processor not affected by
differences in the speed of operation;

5) Develop the diagram of the CPU Showing connections between the elements mentioned
above
6) Construct a truth table and logical diagram for the following Boolean expressions

a) X = not A and B or A and not B

b) (A or B) and (not C or B)

c) A xor (B or C)

d) NOT A OR B AND C.

e) not A or (A and B)

f) (A xor B) and not C

g)
h)

Example Answer

i)

Example Answer
7) Outline the relationship between binary and hexadecimal.

Example answer Binary numbers have base 2, hexadecimal numbers have

base 16 (24=16);
Each digit (letter/number) in a hexadecimal number can be represented by the group
of four binary digits;

8) Distinguish between the use of two types of primary memory.

Example answer
RAM stores data and instructions currently in use
ROM stores permanent instructions
Cache stores frequently used instructions

9) Outline how a colour can be represented in a computer.

Example Answer
A colour will be split into three components (Accept RGB as an example);
Each component will be assigned a certain number of bytes;
10) Outline the role of paging in the management of primary memory.
Example Answer
It is used in the formation of virtual memory / use of secondary memory;
To increase the amount of primary memory;
Memory divided into (tagged) “pages” Which are then transferred in and out as
required;

11)
 Example Answer

12) In an 8-bit register, state the binary representation of the hexadecimal

number 3B.
Example Answer
[1Mark ] for correct 111011.
[1Mark] for using two leading zeroes for the 8-bit register.
 00111011;
13) Calculate how many different colours can be represented using two hexadecimal
characters.
Example Answer
2 hex = 4 + 4 = 8 bits;
hence 2^8/16^2/256 colours;
Note: Allow [2] for 256 colours with no workings and also ONLY 256

14) Explain two functions that an operating system needs to perform in relation to
multitasking.
Example Answer
Memory management;
OS allows more than one program/process to share the memory;
By allocating separate memory to each program;
Provides memory isolation for each of processes;
The system may begin to run out of shared storage (as many programs are running) so
OS moves pages to disk/paging; etc.
Processor Management;
To allow (the appearance of) more than one program running at the same time;
By the allocation of time slices;
Decides which process runs at a certain point in time;
Arrange the execution of applications so that you believe that there are several things
happening at once (scheduler);
Prioritizes tasks by importance (interrupts); etc.
15) Explain the importance of the memory management function of an operating system.
Note Mention the following in your answer
The function of the memory management
An example if its use
Reason for the importance
16) (a) State the purpose of cache memory.
(b) Draw a diagram to show the relationship between random access memory (RAM),
the processor and cache memory.
Example Answer
17) Explain why cache memory can speed up the processing within a computer.
Example Answer
Cache memory can be accessed/is faster than RAM;
It is used to hold common/expected/frequently used data/operations;
Closer to CPU than RAM/situated between RAM and CPU/on same board as CPU/with
faster
read/write speed;
Cache memory is static RAM and this memory doesn't need to be constantly refreshed;

18) One of the functions of an operating system is memory management.

Describe how this function prevents the system from crashing when more than one
program is run at the same time.
Example Answer
The OS allocates (and deallocates) specific sections of memory to each
program/process/module;
This ensures that the memory assigned to one program is not overwritten;
Uses secondary/virtual memory to allow more processes to run simultaneously;

19)
 a)

b)

Example Answer
a)

b)

20)

]]

Example Answer
21) The machine instruction cycle is the process by which a program instruction is
fetched, decoded, executed and the results are stored.
(a) State where all instructions and data are stored.
(b) Outline the role of the data bus and address bus in this process.
Example Answers
(a) Primary memory / RAM
(b)
Example Answer-1
Buses are used as physical connections to carry information to the CPU;
The data bus transports data from/to CPU, whereas the address bus the memory
address where the data is supposed to go/be;
Example Answer- 2
Data bus is a physical connection to transport data from-to CPU to be processed;
Address bus is a physical connection to transport an address of memory storage
where data (transported in the data bus) should be read/written;

22)

Example Answer
23)
a) Define the term peripheral.
b) Identify two features of a graphical user interface (GUI).
c) Outline the purpose of the memory address register (MAR) in the central processing
unit (CPU).
d) Outline why single processor computers may not be able to render 3D graphics
effectively.
Example answer
d) Single processor is mainly occupied with the OS jobs / might not be able to handle
multiple jobs/;
Rendering 3D graphics requires a great deal of processing (which a single processor
may not be able to give);
If attempting rendering on a single processor, a (very) high clock speed is required;
which may not be available;
3D graphics processing is (inherently) parallel;
A single processor is not able to handle parallel processing;
24)
a) Outline one advantage of using virtual memory.
b) Outline one disadvantage of using virtual memory.

Advantage Allows more applications to run than there is available physical memory;
By the use of page/swap files/part of hard disk as primary memory;
Larger application can run With less real RAM;

Disadvantage
Applications run more slowly;
Uses hard drive memory as primary memory / takes more time to switch between
applications;
When a computer's virtual memory resources are overused /Reduced amount of
hard drive space available for your use;
programs lock-up/do not run/disk thrashing;

25) State the hexadecimal equivalent of the following binary number:

11011111
Example answer DF

26)
Example Answer
27)
 Example Answer 3)

28)

Example Answer
29)

Example answer
30) Calculate the denary (base 10) equivalent of the hexadecimal number BF.
Example Answer
11 x 16 + 15;
191;
31) Identify one advantage of using a dedicated operating system on a mobile phone.
Example Answer
Makes maximum use of the available (limited) memory to provide the features needed
for the phone;
Does not waste memory space with unwanted/inappropriate features;
Ensures a higher level of security;
Makes efficient use of hardware equipment;
Suited to available hardware equipment;

32) State two differences between primary storage and secondary storage.

Primary storage is accessed by a computer's central processing unit (CPU) and secondary
storage is not accessed directly by the CPU;
Primary storage has lower access time / has smaller capacity/ more expensive type of
memory than secondary storage (which is slower than primary storage, with larger capacity
but it is cheaper);
Primary storage is volatile (uses random-access memory (RAM), cache memory, or some
other specialized hardware to store data while the computer is powered on/ volatile
devices), whilst secondary storage on a computer is provided by non-volatile devices (such
as SSD or HDD);
Primary storage holds data temporarily whilst data is kept permanently/ for a long time in
secondary storage;
Primary storage holds currently running programs/data/operating system, secondary
storage does not;

33) State the hexadecimal representation of the binary number 10001010.

Answer 8A

34)

Example Answer

35) Explain how an operating system manages peripherals.

Example answer
An OS manages peripherals via their respective drivers;
For example, sound card drivers;
are necessary so the OS knows exactly how to translate the 1s and 0s (that comprise the
MP3 file) into audio signals;
that the sound card can output to headphones / speakers;

36)