Computer Fundamentals

Marks 8%
Q1) Objective questions (1)
1) Scanner is ---- device
Input.
2) Data bus in computer is always ----
Bidirectional.
3) Each cell in memory can store ---- bit of memory.
1
4) ---- is volatile memory.
RAM.
5) In ----- the data is refreshed in millisecond.
Dynamic memory.
6) The process of entering information in EPROM is commonly known as ----
Programming.
7) To store values of logarithmic memory required is ----
ROM.
8) Address bus is ---- (O 02)
8) In computer Address Bus is ----- (M13)
Unidirectional.
9) ----- is sequential access memory.
Magnetic tape.
10) ----- light is used for erasing memory.
Ultraviolet.
11) Index hole is used for ----
Identification of sector.
12) Floppy disc rotates with speed of about ----
360 rpm.
13) A 8 bit address bus can access ----- memory locations.
256
14) In computer data bus uses ---- lines. (M 05)
8
15) ---- is sequential access memory (M 01)
Magnetic tape
16) --- is called read write memory
RAM
17) --- can be also used as direct access or sequential access memory
Magnetic tape
18) A ---- is group of wire that carries bits.
BUS
19) Index hole in the cover and on the disk is used for identifying ------ (M 11)
Sector.
20) Cache memory is also called as ----- memory (O 13)
Scratch Pad
21) Digitizer is ------ device (M15)
Direct entry input
Q1) Draw block diagram of digital computer. Explain the function of each
block. (02, 03, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 13, 14, 16, 18, O 01, 02, 04, 06, 08, 13)
(4 Marks = Block Diagram 1mark, Explanation 3 marks)
Ans: - The block diagram of computer hardware consists of the following main
systems.
 1) Input devices: -These devices convert information in suitable binary form and
send it to processing unit. Keyboard is the most common input device, Scanner,
Floppy disc, CD, DVD, mouse magnetic tape, Joy sticks, Microphone are the
examples of input devices.
2) Central processing unit: -This is a main unit of computer that act like brain.
It receives data and instructions, store them temporary and process the data as per
instruction. The results are given to storage devices and output devices. CPU consists
of three main parts.

A) Memory unit: -It holds all data instructions and results temporarily. The
programs are loaded into it and run from memory. This memory is classified into two
sub types a) Random Access memory (RAM), b) Read Only Memory (ROM).
The most common measurement unit of memory is Byte, Kilobyte, and Mega
byte, Giga byte.
B) Arithmetic and Logic unit: -It carries out arithmetic operation like addition,
subtraction, multiplication etc. and logic operation like Clear, Shift, Load, Move etc.
and memory operation like read, Store etc.
C) Control Unit: - It controls and directs the operation of the entire computer
system. It receives instructions in proper sequence, decodes them and direct them
to other part to perform specified functions.
3) Output Devices: - Output devices convert binary information into desired
form. The most commonly used output devices are printers, plotters, visual display
unit etc.
4) Storage devices: -The purpose of external storage devices is to retain data
and program for further use. When it is stored in external storage devices it can be
retrieved whenever necessary. The information stored on the external is not erased
when equipment is turned off. External storage devices are also known as secondary
storage devices. Floppy discs, magnetic tapes, compact disc, digital versatile disc are
examples of secondary storage devices.
D) Bus: BUS is basically a set of conducting wires which carries information
between CPU to peripherals. There are three types of BUS.
1)Data Bus: -An electrical path composed of parallel wires that connect the CPU,
Memory, and other Hardware to Mother Board is known as data bus. The numbers
of wires determine the amount of data that can be transferred at one time. Data bus
is bi-directional it carries data towards CPU as well as towards output devices.
2) Address Bus: -A set of wire that connects CPU and RAM is known as Address
bus. It is unidirectional data that flows from CPU to Memory.
3) Control Bus: - A processor required set of control line. Control lines are
required to synchronize the operation of processor with external circuitry. It is also
used to send or to retrieve signals to co- ordinate the function of processor with input
and output devices and memory.
Q2) State any four types of memory devices used in computer. Explain any one
of them. (O 01, 03, 09, M 01, 02, 05)
(4 Marks = Statement 1Mark, explanation 3Marks)
Ans: - It is a storage device which stores programs, data, and information. Memory
is divided into three main types 1) Internal processing memory, 2) Primary memory,
3) Secondary memory.
1) Internal processing memory: - It is usually a small set of registers which are
used in ALU for temporary storage of instruction and data.
2) Main Memory: - It is a relatively large and fast memory used to store data and
program during computer operation. RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM are
examples of main memory.
3) Secondary memory: - Secondary memory are classified in two types
A) Direct access memory: - Floppy disc, Hard disc, CD ROM, PEN drive are the
example direct access memory.
B) Sequential access memory: - Magnetic tape is an example of sequential
access memory.
RAM (Random Access Memory): - It is volatile memory when power is turned off
all contains are destroyed. This memory is also known as Read Write memory. RAM
is divided into two sub types ie.1) Static Ram, 2) Dynamic RAM.
1) Static RAM: -A static RAM is an array of flip-flop in which data is transferred
without clock pulse. Static RAM is costly and consumes more power.
2) Dynamic Ram: -It provides temporary data storage using simplified small
storage cell. It loses stored information in very short time even though power supply
is switched on. These memories are cheap and consume less power.
Q3) State various types of volatile memories. (M 04)
(4 Marks = Statement 1Mark, explanation 3Marks)
Ans:- Volatile memory is the memory in which data stored vanishes when power
supplied to computer is switched off.
Static RAM, Dynamic RAM and Cache memory are examples of volatile memory.
1) Static RAM: -A static RAM is an array of flip-flop in which data is transferred
without clock pulse. Static RAM is costly and consumes more power.
2) Dynamic RAM: -It provides temporary data storage using simplified small
storage cell. It loses stored information in a very short time even though power supply
is switched on. These memories are cheap and consume less power.
3) Cache RAM: - This memory is present inside the CPU. It is fast memory
capacity of this memory is 256K bytes to 512 K bytes.
Q4) What do you mean by RAM and ROM.
Explain in brief: (a) ROM, (b) PROM, (c) EPROM, (d) E2PROM. (O 03, 09, M 01, 12)
Q4) What is primary memory? Explain a) ROM, b) RAM, c) PROM. (M14)
(4 Marks = 1Mark for each explanation)
Ans:- A) RAM(Random Access Memory): - It is volatile memory when power is
turned off all contains are destroyed. This memory is also known as Read Write
memory. RAM is divided into two sub types ie.1) Static Ram, 2) Dynamic RAM.
B) ROM (Read Only Memory): - It is memory from which we can read but we
can’t be able to write. It is a non-volatile memory used to store information or data
permanently. The contents are fixed and unalterable. The contents of ROM are
decided by the manufacturer, and it is cheap.
C) PROM (Programmable ROM): - It is essentially a programmable ROM provides
single unit in which user can write and store data.
D) EPROM (Erasable PROM): - The information stored in this memory is semi-
permanent. Exposing memory to ultraviolet light can erase all information.
Ultraviolet light is focused on the memory through quartz crystal window, which is
installed on the chip. This memory can be reprogrammed again and again.
E) E2PROM (Electrically Erasable PROM): - The function of this memory is same
as EPROM except that the information can be altered by using electrical signal. This
memory is also known as Electrically Altered PROM (EAPROM). In this memory
MOSFETs are used. The information can be removed by supplying negative potential
to the IC.
Q5) What do you mean by Bus? Explain Address bus and Data bus in computer
system. (O 03, 07, M 11, 12)
(3 Marks = Statement 1Mark, explanation 2 Marks)
Ans: - BUS is basically a set of conducting wires which carries information between
CPU to peripherals. There are three types of BUS.
1)Data Bus: -An electrical path composed of parallel wires that connect the CPU,
Memory, and other Hardware to Mother Board is known as data bus. The numbers
of wires determine the amount of data that can be transferred at one time. Data bus
is bi-directional it carries data towards CPU as well as towards output devices.
2) Address Bus: -A set of wire that connects CPU and RAM is known as Address bus.
It is unidirectional data that flows from CPU to Memory.
3) Control Bus: - A processor required set of control line. Control lines are required
to synchronize the operation of processor with external circuitry. It is also used to
send or to retrieve signals to co- ordinate the function of processor with input and
output devices and memory.
Q6) Enlist any four input devices used in computer and explain any one. (M17)
2) Enlist any four output devices used in computer and explain any one (M17)
Q6) State any three input devices and three output devices used in computer.
Q6) Explain the keyboard and mouse.
Q6) Explain in brief 1) Keyboard, (2) Mouse, (3) Dot matrix printer, (4) Plotter.
(O 03, 04, 07, M 01, 06, 08, 11, 13)
(4 Marks = 2 Mark for statement of each device)
(4 Marks = 1 Mark for each explanation)
Ans: - 1) Input devices: -These devices convert information in suitable binary form
and send it to processing unit. Keyboard is the most common input device, Scanner,
mouse magnetic tape, Joy sticks, Microphone are the examples of input devices.
Floppy disc, CD, DVD can be also used as input device.
a) Keyboard: - It is the most widely used input device through which program
and data can be feed to computer. It is similar to typewriter but having additional
keys for special functions. The most widely used keys are alphanumeric keys,
function keys and other characters keys. Some keys are used to perform operations
like Delete, Shift, Control, Escape, Spacebar etc. The function keys are used to
perform set of operation by using single stroke of key. These keys are labeled as F1,
F2, …..F12.
Keyboard consists of electronic circuit used to determine which key has been
pressed. This circuit is known as keyboard encoder. It converts data into binary form
and then feeds it to the computer.
b) Mouse: -It is an input device, which allows controlling the computer system
without typing instruction. Modern programs provide menu options for various
commands. The mouse is used to select specific options from the menu.
 It is a small device containing a tracking ball in its base. When it is rolled
across flat surface tracking ball moves and transmits pulse according to motion. It
controls the movement of the curser on the screen. It has different facilities like
pointing objects, selection of objects and move it on screen it also allow to create
graphic elements like lines, curves free hand drawing etc.
It has four techniques i.e. 1) clicking, 2) double clicking, c) left clicking, d)
drag.
2) Output Devices: - Output devices convert binary information into desired form
so that it can be easily understood. The most commonly used output devices are
printers, plotter, visual display unit etc.
a) Printer: - Printers are commonly used output devices. They provide output in
permanent readable form. Printers are available with varieties of printing mechanism
speed and quality.
According to printing they are classified as
a) Character printer, which prints one character of text at a time.
b) Line printer, which prints one line of text at a time.
c) Page printer, which prints one page of text at a time.
According to technology printers are classified as
1) Impact printer: - It uses electromechanical heads that cause hammer to strike
on ribbon and paper.
Dot Matrix printer: - Dot matrix printer is an example of impact printer. It
contains small needles arranged in rows and columns forming matrix. Each needle
is provided with an electromagnetically operated hammer. As per text some set of
needles press the sheet of paper producing a pattern of dots. Combination of such
dots shows the printed character.
2) Non-impact printer: -This printer uses thermal, chemical, electrostatic, inkjet
and laser beam technology for printing. These printers are faster than impact printer,
but they produce a single copy of text.
A) Laser printer: -It is a non-impact type which can print one page at a time. In
this type of image of page that is to be printed is form on photosensitive drum when
laser beam swept across drum it produces an image. The powered ink (Toner) is
applied to the image on a drum. Then the image is electro statically transferred from
drum to paper. Using heat fuses the ink image on the paper.
Laser printers are less noisy and produce high quality output. They can print
10 to 300 pages per minute.
B) Ink Jet printer: - Ink jet printers produce an image directly on the paper by
spraying ink through a tiny nozzle. The print operation is slower than the laser
printer. The colour ink jet printer has four ink nozzles ie.1) Cyan (Blue), 2) Magnetra
(Red), 3) Yellow, 4) Black.
Q7) Classify following devices as input and output devices. State their
function in brief. Light pen, COM, MICR, Optical scanner.
Q7) Explain the uses of following devices of computer.
a) Light pen, (b) MICR, (c) COM, (d) Plotter. (M 01, 16, O 02, 07)
(4 Marks = 1 Mark for each explanation)
Ans: - a) Light pen: - Bar codes are used for labeling goods in supermarkets, for
numbering books in libraries. In the bar code system, all information is stored in
form of bars. This information is read by using a light pen or by using a bar code
reader. Light pen contains a source of light with photo detector. When this pen moves
across the bar code reflecting light falls on the photo detector and produces a high
and low voltage combination which is supplied to computer. This system is now
introduced in different examinations by the education board to identify the number
of candidates, the center, year of exam, subject, paper no. This is an example of input
device.
 b) Magnetic Ink Character Recognizer (MICR): -It is an input device widely used
in banks. Special ink known as magnetic ink, which contains FeO 2 Particles, is used
to write account numbers, amount, and signature on cheques. MICR identifies the
character when cheque is entered in it. A magnetic field is produced which
magnetized read head of MICR to recognize character written by using magnetic ink.
MICR processes more than 6000 cheques per minute.
c) Computer Output Microfilm (COM):- This is an output device used for
recording large quantity of information. . COM displays information as characters on
the screen of computer. A special camera is used to take photographs of this
information on microfilm. Mostly drawing and pictures are displayed by using COM.
Microfilm in roll form is small and easy to store, the recording speed of COM is very
fast. In COM Duplication of recorded data is easy.
d) Plotter: - The plotter is an output device which is used to produce precise and
good quality graphs and drawing. An ink pen is used to plot the graph. The speed of
the pen plotter is very low. There are two types of plotters i.e. a) Drum plotter, b)
Flatbed plotter.
In drum plotter paper is placed over drum, then drum moves the paper back and
forth simultaneously pen moves and produces picture.
In the case of flatbed plotter horizontal flat surface is used on which paper is fixed
only pen moves along both axis to produce desired print.
Plotters are used for drawing pictures, graphs and layout plans.
e) Optical Character Recognizer (OCR): - It is the input device. It is used to read
any printed text. OCR scans text character by character and converts them into
binary form, mostly charge couple devices are used which provides binary data
according to character. An OCR can scan several thousand printed characters per
second. Hence scanner is useful in large volume operation. An OCR can eliminate
the human elements in data entry and improve speed and accuracy.
Q8) State any three secondary memories. Explain read write mechanism of
magnetic tape.
Q8) Explain floppy disk and hard disk. (O 08, M 09)
Q8) Explain magnetic tape as a secondary storage device. (M 12)
(4 Marks = Statement 1mark, Explanation 3 marks)
(2 marks for each Explanation)
Ans: - Secondary memory:- As the capacity of primary storage devices is very small
hence secondary memories are used. The types of secondary memory are as follows.
1) Floppy disc: - It is the most common storage device used to store and move
data easily from one computer to another. It is a flexible plastic disc coated with
magnetic material. The information is stored in circular tracks on the surface of disc.
To record (write) and to read the information the disc is inserted into floppy drive.
A latest floppy disc available in the market is DSHD (Double Sided high density)
this floppy disc is composed of
a) Two-sided, b) 80 tracks per side, c) 18 sectors per tracks, d) 0.5 KB storing capacity
per sector.
So this floppy has capacity of storing information is
2  80  18  0.5 = 1.44 MB
Advantages of floppy disc are: -
1) Error connection is easy,
2) Easy to transport,
3) High storage capacity,
4) Low cost,
5) Can be used again and again
Disadvantage: - It can be damaged easily due to heat and humidity.
2) Hard disk: - It is another secondary storage device which is fixed permanently
inside the computer. It is used to store large volumes of information. Normally it
consists of more numbers of discs mounted together on the spindle. There is enough
space between each disc to allow read write head to move in and out.

Data is stored on the surface of the disc in concentric circular tracks. The disc
rotates and while rotating read write head comes in contact with the surface of the
disc. The information can be assessed at great speed. The storage capacity of the disc
is very high. The storing capacity of the latest hard disc available in the market is
160 GB.
3) Magnetic Tape: - Magnetic tape is similar to audio and video cassettes. Tape
has coating of ferromagnetic material on plastic base. The standard width of tape is
half an inch and length of tape is approximately 2400 feet.
Binary information is written on the tape by magnetizing a small portion either in
one direction or in the opposite direction.
 Write head: - It consists of soft iron piece. A thin insulated cooper wire is wound
over the soft iron piece. When current passes through the coil strong magnetic field
is produced in the gap, due to which portion of tape close to gap get magnetized in
one direction. If the current is reversed, the tape gets magnetized in the opposite
direction. Binary information is written on the tape in the form of magnetic field.
Read head: - Construction is same as write head. As magnetized tape crosses the
gap magnetic field in the coil gets changed and voltage pulse is generated. These
pulses are amplified and with the help of wave shaping circuit they are converted
into high and low voltage (1 or 0)

4) CD ROM: - It is a familiar medium for storing music, program etc. CD Rom

uses the same technology used to produce audio CDs. It is basically an advanced
version of floppy disc. It has the largest storing capacity. Nowadays the DVD (Digital
Versatile Disc) are also available in the market which is used to store data.
Q9) Write comparison between primary memory and secondary memory. (O 06)
Q9) Distinguish between primary memory and secondary memory. (O13)
(3 Marks = 1mark for each point)
Sr.No. Primary memory Secondary memory
1) Capacity of primary memory is Capacity of secondary memory is
small. large.

2) Primary memory is essential Secondary memory is exceptional

part of computer. part of computer.

3) Speed of primary memory is Speed of secondary memory is low.

fast.

4) It is the part of CPU and It is physically connected to

mounted on the motherboard computer from outside by using
cables.

5) Primary memory is also known Secondary memory is also known

as semiconductor memory. as sequential access memory.

6) RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, Floppy disc, Hard disc, CD ROM,

EPROM are the example of Magnetic tape, DVD, Pen drive are
primary memory. the example of secondary memory.
Q10) State any six Specifications of PC. (M15)
(3 Marks = 1/2mark for each point)
Ans:- Specification of PC are
1) Intel or AMD Processor Model No
2)2GB SDRAM
3) 500GB /1 TB Hard Drive
4)52X Max CD/DVD Drive
5)17” Flat Screen Colour Monitor
6) Graphics Card
7) Microsoft Windows XP
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