Computer Hardware and Software Questions and Answers

Answer: B

Correct answer: Dots per inch

Printer resolution is measured in dots per inch, the number of individual dots of ink or toner the printer can place along an inch. Higher figures give finer detail and smoother curves. Typical values are worth knowing: 300 dpi is adequate for ordinary text, 600 dpi is common on laser printers, and photographic work uses 1200 dpi or more. The distractors measure related but different things, and the set is a standard examination pairing. Pixels measure the resolution of a display or a digital image. Hertz measures a monitor’s refresh rate or a processor’s clock. Bits per second measures data transfer. The same unit dpi is used for scanners, where it means how finely the original is sampled - and it is worth noting that an image scanned at 300 dpi and printed at 300 dpi comes out the same size, while printing it larger reduces its effective resolution. Print speed, a separate specification, is quoted in pages per minute.

Answer: B

Correct answer: PC drum

The photosensitive drum holds its image as a pattern of charge, and light discharges it. Strong light therefore erases the image and can damage the coating, which is why the drum is shipped in a light-proof cartridge.

Answer: A

Correct answer: Format DOS partition

The order is low-level format, partition, then high-level format. The low-level format lays down the tracks and sectors; the DOS format then writes the file system into the partition.

Answer: D

Correct answer: Ohms

Resistance is measured in ohms. Volts measure potential difference, amperes current and watts power.

Answer: B

Correct answer: ATZ

ATZ resets the modem to its stored profile. Every command in the set begins with the attention prefix AT.

Answer: B

Correct answer: An unused SCSI address

Every device on a SCSI bus must have a unique ID, so the drive is set to whichever address is still free. Fixing on ID 1 would risk a clash with a device already using it.

Answer: B

Correct answer: 32 bit word size, 16 bit data path

The 386SX has the full 32-bit internal architecture of the 386 but reaches memory over a 16-bit bus, which made it cheaper to build systems around. The SX suffix marks that reduction.

Answer: A

Correct answer: multi directional nozzles

In a drop-on-demand inkjet the position of each drop is fixed by which nozzle fires; the head is moved across the page and the paper advanced. Charged deflection plates belong to continuous inkjet printing, which is used industrially rather than in desktop printers.

Answer: A

Correct answer: True

A head crash is contact between the read-write head and the platter surface, whatever the cause, and it is called head-to-disk interference. The heads normally fly a fraction of a micron above the surface, which is why a knock while running is enough.

Answer: C

Correct answer: loop backs (wrap plugs)

A loopback plug connects a port's output pins back to its input pins, so diagnostic software can send data and check that the same data returns. That tests the port itself without needing a device attached.