Chapter 2: Computer Hardware and Peripheral Devices (Set-10)
In the CPU, which register typically holds the address of the next instruction to be executed?
A Status register
B Cache tag
C Program counter
D Stack pointer
The program counter stores the memory address of the next instruction. After each fetch, it updates to the next address unless a jump/branch changes it, guiding the instruction flow.
In many CPU architectures, which register commonly holds the return address after a function call
A Program counter
B Link register
C Instruction register
D Status register
Many architectures store the return address in a link register (and may also use the stack for nested calls). The program counter holds the next instruction address, not the saved return address.
Which cache policy writes data to RAM immediately on every write, improving data safety but reducing speed
A Write-through cache
B Write-back cache
C Read-only cache
D Direct cache
Write-through cache updates both cache and main memory at the same time, reducing risk of data loss on power failure. It can be slower than write-back, which delays RAM updates.
Which CPU performance issue occurs when the CPU must wait because required data is not in cache
A Printer spool delay
B Disk fragmentation
C Monitor ghosting
D Cache miss stall
A cache miss forces the CPU to fetch data from slower memory levels like RAM, causing stall cycles. This increases execution time and reduces throughput in memory-heavy workloads.
Which motherboard firmware mode is required to use Secure Boot in typical modern PCs
A Legacy BIOS
B UEFI mode
C DOS mode
D Safe mode
Secure Boot is a UEFI feature that verifies boot components using trusted signatures. Legacy BIOS mode generally does not support Secure Boot in the standard modern implementation.
In UEFI booting on GPT disks, which partition stores the bootloader and essential boot files
A Primary data partition
B Recovery partition
C EFI system partition
D Swap partition
The EFI System Partition (ESP) contains UEFI bootloaders and boot configuration files. Without a valid ESP, UEFI systems typically cannot start the OS from that disk.
Which motherboard component most directly determines how many high-speed PCIe devices can run at full lanes
A Printer driver
B CPU PCIe lanes
C CMOS battery
D Audio codec
The CPU provides a fixed number of PCIe lanes used by GPUs and NVMe drives. If lane demand exceeds supply, devices may run at reduced lanes, lowering maximum bandwidth.
In desktop power supplies, which connector is dedicated mainly for supplying CPU power to VRM area
A 24-pin ATX
B SATA data
C 8-pin EPS
D HDMI Type-A
The 8-pin EPS connector delivers dedicated 12V power for CPU VRMs near the socket. The 24-pin ATX powers the motherboard generally; SATA data and HDMI are not power connectors.
Which symptom is most consistent with a failing PSU that cannot handle load, especially during gaming
A More disk capacity
B Sharper display text
C Faster file copying
D Sudden random shutdown
When PSU output becomes unstable under high load, the system can abruptly shut down or reboot. This is common with weak or aging PSUs and heavy GPU/CPU workloads.
Which storage technology most explains why SSD random access is much faster than HDD random access
A Higher monitor refresh
B No head movement
C Faster keyboard scan
D Larger fan size
HDDs need mechanical head movement and rotational latency for random access. SSDs access flash memory electronically without moving parts, so random reads/writes are much faster.
Which SSD interface typically uses PCIe lanes and NVMe protocol for higher throughput
A M.2 NVMe
B SATA II
C PATA IDE
D Floppy bus
M.2 NVMe SSDs use PCIe and NVMe, offering high bandwidth and low latency compared to SATA SSDs. IDE and floppy buses are legacy and much slower.
In RAID terminology, which level provides no redundancy and increases risk because any single drive failure loses all data
A RAID 1
B RAID 5
C RAID 0
D RAID 6
RAID 0 stripes data for performance but has no redundancy. If any one disk fails, the array fails and data is typically unrecoverable without backups.
Which RAID level can tolerate one drive failure using distributed parity across drives
A RAID 0
B RAID 5
C RAID 1
D JBOD
RAID 5 distributes parity information across drives, allowing the array to continue operating if one drive fails. It balances capacity, redundancy, and read performance.
Which Windows option restores an earlier driver version if a newly updated driver causes crashes
A Disk cleanup
B Defragment disk
C Change wallpaper
D Roll back driver
Driver rollback returns to the previous working driver stored by Windows. This is useful when a new driver introduces bugs, instability, or compatibility issues.
Which Windows tool is most used to view hardware resources, driver status, and error codes for devices
A Notepad
B Device Manager
C Paint
D Taskbar clock
Device Manager lists devices, shows status and error codes, and provides driver actions. It also allows enabling/disabling devices and checking resource-related issues.
A yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager most commonly indicates what type of problem
A Driver/resource issue
B Extra RAM installed
C Screen brightness high
D Disk has backups
The exclamation mark usually means missing, corrupted, or incompatible drivers, or a resource conflict. Installing correct drivers or resolving conflicts typically fixes the device.
Why do 64-bit Windows systems usually reject 32-bit kernel-mode drivers
A Monitor not supported
B Printer out of ink
C Architecture mismatch
D Cable too long
Kernel drivers must match OS architecture. A 64-bit OS loads 64-bit kernel-mode drivers. 32-bit drivers cannot run in the 64-bit kernel, so installation or loading fails.
Which term best describes software stored on a device that controls hardware behavior, like router firmware or SSD firmware
A Spreadsheet
B Firmware
C Wallpaper
D Cache file
Firmware is embedded software stored in non-volatile memory on devices. It controls device operations and can be updated to fix bugs or improve compatibility, but updates must be done carefully.
Which display connector carries both digital video and audio, commonly used for TVs and monitors
A VGA
B DVI-D only
C PS/2
D HDMI
HDMI carries digital video and audio in a single cable, making it common for TVs and monitors. VGA is analog video only. DVI usually carries video only, and PS/2 is for input devices.
Which connector is most appropriate for wired Ethernet LAN networking in offices
A RJ11
B VGA
C RJ45
D DVI
RJ45 connectors are used for Ethernet networking cables. RJ11 is for telephone lines. VGA and DVI are display connectors and cannot be used for network connectivity.
Which internal cable connects a SATA drive to the motherboard for data transfer, not power
A SATA power cable
B SATA data cable
C HDMI cable
D Molex fan cable
SATA data cables carry data between drive and motherboard SATA port. SATA power cable provides power from PSU. HDMI is display cable, and Molex is an older power connector.
Which connector from PSU is used to power SATA drives directly
A DVI connector
B RJ45 connector
C SATA power connector
D VGA connector
SATA power connectors provide 3.3V/5V/12V rails to SATA drives. DVI/VGA are video connectors and RJ45 is for networking, not power delivery.
Which USB behavior allows connecting and removing devices without shutting down the system
A Cold booting
B Hot plugging
C Disk striping
D Screen mirroring
USB supports hot plugging, so devices can be attached or removed while the PC is running. The OS detects changes and loads drivers, though safe removal is recommended for storage devices.
Which Windows feature helps avoid data corruption when unplugging a USB drive after file copying
A Safely remove hardware
B Screen saver mode
C Print preview
D Taskbar lock
Safe removal ensures pending write operations finish and caches are flushed. This reduces corruption risk, especially when files are still being written to external USB storage.
Which situation best indicates a possible “drive letter” problem for a USB storage device
A Only printer fails
B Mouse moves slow
C Seen in Disk Management
D Monitor flickers
If a drive appears in Disk Management but not in File Explorer, it may not have a drive letter. Assigning a letter often makes it appear properly for the user.
Which display technology term commonly indicates an LCD panel that uses LED backlighting
A CRT monitor
B LED monitor
C Ribbon printer
D Tape drive
Most “LED monitors” are LCD panels with LED backlight instead of older CCFL backlight. This improves power efficiency and slim design. CRT is tube technology and unrelated.
Which printer type uses toner and a fuser unit to bond the image onto paper
A Inkjet printer
B Dot matrix
C Thermal printer
D Laser printer
Laser printers use electrostatic imaging with toner and then a fuser applies heat/pressure to fix toner onto paper. Inkjet sprays ink; dot matrix strikes ribbon; thermal uses heat paper.
Which printer type is best for multi-part forms because it is an impact printer
A Laser printer
B Inkjet printer
C Dot matrix
D Photo printer
Dot matrix printers strike an ink ribbon with pins, allowing printing through carbon copies. Non-impact printers like laser and inkjet generally cannot print multi-part forms effectively.
Which basic sign most strongly suggests CPU overheating rather than a software crash
A New desktop icons
B Auto shutdown under load
C Faster mouse pointer
D Brighter monitor text
Overheating can trigger thermal protection, causing sudden shutdowns during heavy tasks. Common causes include dust, failed fan, blocked airflow, or dried thermal paste.
Which preventive maintenance directly reduces overheating risk inside a cabinet
A Rename folders
B Change screen theme
C Install fonts
D Clean fans and vents
Cleaning removes dust that blocks airflow and heatsinks. Better airflow keeps CPU/GPU temperatures lower and reduces throttling or shutdown. Software changes do not improve physical cooling.
Which ESD practice best protects components when replacing RAM on a motherboard
A Use wrist strap
B Stand on carpet
C Rub plastic cover
D Wear wool sweater
An anti-static wrist strap grounds your body to prevent electrostatic discharge into components. Carpets and wool increase static risk, and rubbing plastic can generate more static.
Which motherboard standard term defines size and mounting points like ATX or microATX
A Pixel density
B File format
C Form factor
D Print queue
Form factor defines physical dimensions, mounting holes, and layout of a motherboard. It determines cabinet compatibility and slot arrangement. It is not related to display or file systems.
In laptops, which memory module form is smaller than desktop DIMM
A DIMM
B SO-DIMM
C SATA module
D ROM card
SO-DIMM is the smaller RAM module used in laptops and compact PCs. Desktop systems typically use full-size DIMM modules. SATA and ROM cards are not RAM form factors.
Which storage unit is larger than gigabyte but smaller than terabyte
A Megabyte
B None of these
C Kilobyte
D Petabyte
The unit between gigabyte (GB) and terabyte (TB) does not exist as a separate common step. The order is MB < GB < TB. So none of the options fits “between GB and TB.”
Which connector is primarily meant for analog video output and is widely considered legacy now
A HDMI connector
B VGA connector
C USB connector
D RJ45 connector
VGA outputs analog video and is common in older systems. HDMI is digital audio/video. USB is general-purpose data/power. RJ45 is for Ethernet networking.
Which common cause can make a USB device keep disconnecting even when drivers are correct
A Strong Wi-Fi signal
B Larger RAM size
C Loose USB port
D New wallpaper
A worn or loose port can cause intermittent contact and disconnects. Trying another port or cable helps identify it. Wi-Fi, RAM size, and wallpapers don’t affect USB physical connection.
Which BIOS/UEFI update precaution is most important to avoid system bricking
A Ensure stable power
B Increase speaker volume
C Change desktop theme
D Delete temp files
Power loss during firmware flashing can corrupt BIOS/UEFI and prevent booting. Using a UPS and correct firmware file reduces risk. Software cleanups don’t protect the flashing process.
Which device lets a desktop connect to Wi-Fi if it has no built-in wireless card
A SATA splitter
B USB Wi-Fi adapter
C VGA converter
D CMOS battery
A USB Wi-Fi adapter adds wireless networking capability. SATA splitters relate to drives, VGA converters to display, and CMOS battery maintains BIOS settings and time.
Which connection type is most suitable for high-quality wired audio output to speakers from a PC
A SATA data cable
B RJ11 cable
C VGA cable
D 3.5mm audio jack
The 3.5mm audio jack is commonly used for analog audio output to speakers and headphones. SATA is storage, RJ11 is telephone, and VGA is video.
Which action is most correct first step when a newly installed device is not recognized at all
A Format system drive
B Replace motherboard
C Reinstall OS always
D Check Device Manager
Device Manager shows whether the device is detected, has driver errors, or is disabled. It helps decide next actions like driver install, port change, or hardware checks before major steps.
Which concept best explains why Windows can detect many USB devices without manual driver installation
A BIOS password
B Class drivers
C Disk compression
D Screen scaling
Windows includes class drivers for standard device types like HID keyboards/mice and USB mass storage. These drivers allow basic functionality without manufacturer-specific driver installation.
Which device type is both input and output in one hardware unit
A Dot matrix printer
B Touchscreen display
C VGA cable
D UPS device
A touchscreen shows visual output and also takes input through touch. Printers output only, cables are connectors, and UPS provides power backup.
Which printer type can fade printing over time due to heat-sensitive paper coating
A Laser printer
B Inkjet printer
C Thermal printer
D Plotter
Thermal printers print on special heat-sensitive paper. Exposure to heat, light, or friction can cause the print to fade over time, which is common with receipts.
Which motherboard header is used to connect cabinet power button and reset button wires
A Front panel header
B SATA header
C HDMI header
D VGA header
Front panel header pins connect case switches and LEDs to the motherboard. SATA headers connect drives, and HDMI/VGA are video ports, not internal button connections.
Which storage scenario most benefits from using a NAS instead of a single external HDD
A Single PC backup
B Multi-user shared access
C Offline file transfer
D One-time formatting
NAS is designed to provide shared storage over a network to multiple users/devices with permissions and centralized backups. External HDD is best for single-user local backup or portability.
Which problem is most likely if a PC cannot power on and there are no fan movements or lights
A Printer driver missing
B Low storage capacity
C Wrong screen resolution
D PSU not supplying power
If there is no sign of power, the PSU, power cable, switch, or motherboard power connection may be faulty. Drivers, storage space, or resolution cannot prevent power-on.
Which tool is best to protect against sudden power cut so you can shut down safely and avoid data corruption
A USB hub
B VGA splitter
C UPS backup
D HDMI switch
A UPS provides short battery time during a power cut. This helps safe shutdown and reduces risk of file corruption and hardware stress. Hubs and switches do not provide backup power.
Which method is best to reduce dust entering the cabinet while maintaining airflow
A Block all vents
B Use dust filters
C Remove all fans
D Cover heat sink
Dust filters reduce dust entry while allowing airflow. Blocking vents or removing fans worsens cooling. Covering heatsink increases temperature. Filters plus regular cleaning is best for maintenance.
Which port is mainly used to connect a microphone on many desktop PCs
A Mic input jack
B VGA port
C SATA port
D RJ45 port
Desktop PCs typically have a 3.5mm microphone input jack for audio recording. VGA is display, SATA is storage, and RJ45 is networking, so they cannot accept mic input.
Which reason best explains why laptop RAM upgrades require checking SO-DIMM type and speed
A Better wallpaper support
B Physical and timing match
C More keyboard keys
D Extra printer ink
Laptop RAM must match the correct physical form (SO-DIMM) and supported generation/speed (like DDR4/DDR5). Wrong type may not fit or may not run, causing boot issues.