ICS 2101/BIT 2102

W1-2-60-1-6

JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

OF
AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

University Examinations 2013/2014

FIRST YEAR FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE

OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER
SCIENCE

ICS 2101/BIT 2102 : COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND ORGANIZATIONS

DATE: DECEMBER 2013 TIME: 2 HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS: ANSWER QUESTION ONE (COMPULSORY) AND

ANY OTHER TWO QUESTIONS.
______________________________________________________________________

QUESTION ONE (30 MARKS)

(a) Explain the principal characteristics of a computer. [3 marks]

(b) State and explain any three input devices in a computer. [3 marks]

(c) Distinguish between system unit and CPU using appropriate

examples. [3 marks]

(d) Explain any three functions of the control unit in a computer

system. [3 marks]

(e) Highlight the features of ROM in a computer system. [3 marks]

(f) A keyboard is used mainly for typing text into your computer.
Explain the special keys that the keyboard have. [6 marks]

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 ICS 2101/BIT 2102

(g) Discuss any three backing store devices used in a computer system.
[3 marks]

(h) Explain the term computer register and the three types of registers
in computer system. [6 marks]

QUESTION TWO (20 MARKS)

(a) Using four box diagram, show the components used in a typical
computer system and explain how a computer works. [8 marks]

(b) Convert the binary numbers below into numbers using 8 bits (1
byte)

(i) 01011101 [2 marks]

(ii) 01000001 [2 marks]
(iii) 01011010 [2 marks]

(c) There are many different types of printers with various levels of
quality. Explain any three basic types of printers. [6 marks]

QUESTION THREE (20 MARKS)

(a) History of computer development is often referred to in reference to

the different generations of computing devices. Discuss the
generations of computers. [10 marks]

(b) State and explain different types of application software used today.
[6 marks]

(c) Outline some of the factors one should put into consideration when
acquiring the computer. [4 marks]

QUESTION FOUR (20 MARKS)

(a) Computer memories are classified with respect to the way of data
access. Using various examples, discuss different classification of
computer memories. [8 marks]

(b) Explain four essential functions performed by the operating system

in a computer system. [8 marks]

(c) Highlight the three categories of computer types according to

electronic nature. [4 marks]