Q4

Question 1

Name TWO types of users who would find the performance of a standard entry-level computer suitable to their needs

Answer 1

Home user
 Personal user
 SOHO user
 Mobile user
 Enterprise/Office user

Question 2

How does an open-source operating system, such as Linux, differ from an enterprise operating system, such as Windows?

Answer 2

 FOSS has a less formal support structure
 FOSS source code is available/FOSS can be modified
 FOSS is generally free of charge
 Operating systems have a different approach to the UI

Question 3

State TWO advantages for a student using web-based applications over installed applications.

Answer 3

The latest/updated version of the software (web application) is used
 Web applications run irrespective of the operating system or device
provided the browser is compatible
 Saves hard drive/storage space
 Subscription costs are lower than purchasing the software outright

Question 4

Give TWO practical examples of where RFID tags are used

Answer 4

 Stock/inventory control, e.g. supermarkets, DVD store, etc.
 Security access control
 Preventing theft/misplacing of goods
 Gauging pressure and temperature of tyres on a vehicle, etc.

Question 5

Give TWO reasons why touch screens are commonly used in portable devices

Answer 5

 More intuitive to use
 Navigation is easier for most users, e.g. swiping/swyping/trace typing
 Multi-touch functionality increases variety of operations
 Devices can possibly be made smaller
 No need for a physical keyboard/Both input and output

Question 6

State TWO advantages of using a micro USB port instead of the standard USB port on a smartphone.

Answer 6

 Is standard on most mobile devices, can share chargers/connectors
 Takes up less space/Device can be made smaller/thinner

Question 7

Give TWO reasons why it may be better to use an external hard drive
instead of a DVD to backup data. (Do NOT refer to cost in your answer.)

Answer 7

HDD has more capacity
 HDDs have faster access speeds
 More convenient to save to HDD
 DVDs are more likely to be damaged
 DVD writers are not standard on newer PCs

Question 8

Suggest TWO ways in which more space can be created on an

external hard drive that is almost full.

Answer 8

 Delete unwanted file/Run the Disk Cleanup utility/Clear Recycle bin
 Compress data
 Reduce resolution of image/multimedia files

Question 9

Give TWO reasons why files on an external hard drive could become
corrupted when making backups.

Answer 9

 Virus infection
 Power failure during data transfer
 Faulty USB port/Faulty cable
 Corrupted driver
 Drive failure during the backup process
 Vibration/jolting during backup process, if device is moved
 HDD removed during the process

Question 10

When switching on your computer, you find that there is no display on the screen.
Other than a faulty screen, discuss TWO reasons why there is no display.

Answer 10

Faulty power
 Faulty cable
 Cable not connected/Screen not switched on
 Faulty graphics card/motherboard/port/computer

Question 11

The latest version of a program was downloaded from the internet, however,when the user runs the installer, the program does not install.
Give TWO reasons why a program fails to install.

Answer 11

 (Software/Installation media) not compatible with operating
system/device
 Corrupt/Incomplete installation file
 Computer does not meet the minimum system requirements, e.g.
RAM, CPU, Hard drive, etc.
 Need to uninstall old/existing version first
 No internet access that the installation may require

Question 12

Other than the cost factor, state ONE limitation of using a 3D printer.

Answer 12

Model size is limited to the printer size
 Can only print in one material at a time
 Not suitable for mass production/It takes long to print objects
 Not all objects can be created/printed

Question 13

A correctly formatted word processing document was printed, but some text was ‘cut off’ at the edge of the page.
Discuss TWO possible reasons for this.

Answer 13

Printer cannot cater for the specified page size

 Paper gets misaligned as it passes through the printer