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Q&A-KCSE Computer Studies Paper 1

Jane has noticed the following problems with her computer  (2mks)

  • It is taking a longer time to start up;
  • It is often hanging;
  • Applications are taking longer to load.

State three possible causes of these problems and how they can be solved (3mks)

There could be several possible causes for the issues Jane is experiencing with her computer keyboard, including:

1. Software Issues
   - Cause: Outdated or corrupt system files, drivers, or operating system.
   - Solution:
     - Ensure the operating system and drivers are up-to-date.
     - Run a system file checker to repair any corrupted system files (e.g., on Windows, run "sfc /scannow" from the Command Prompt).
     - Consider reinstalling the operating system if issues persist.

2. Hardware Issues:
   - Cause: Physical damage or malfunction in the keyboard hardware.
   - Solution:
     - Check for physical damage or debris under the keys and clean the keyboard if necessary.
     - If cleaning doesn't help, consider replacing the keyboard with a new one.

3. Resource Overload:
   - Cause: The computer may be running too many background processes or lacking sufficient hardware resources.
   - Solution:
     - Close unnecessary background applications and processes to free up system resources.
     - Consider upgrading the computer's RAM, CPU, or storage if it's outdated and unable to handle current software demands.
     - Use task manager or activity monitor to identify and terminate resource-intensive processes.

4. Malware or Viruses:
   - Cause: Malicious software can slow down a computer, cause hanging, and delay startup.
   - Solution:
     - Perform a full system scan using reputable antivirus or anti-malware software to remove any threats.
     - Ensure that the operating system's security patches are up-to-date.

5. Disk Fragmentation:
   - Cause: Fragmented files can slow down the loading of applications and overall system performance.
   - Solution:
     - Run a disk defragmentation tool (e.g., Windows' built-in tool) to optimize file storage on the hard drive.
     - Consider upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) for faster application loading times.

6. Insufficient Storage:
   - Cause: If the hard drive is nearly full, it can cause slow performance.
   - Solution:
     - Free up space by deleting unnecessary files and programs.
     - Consider upgrading to a larger capacity hard drive or SSD if storage space remains an issue.

7. Background Processes and Startup Items:
   - Cause: Too many unnecessary programs running in the background or starting up with the computer.
   - Solution:
     - Disable or remove unnecessary startup items and background processes to improve startup time.
     - Use the Task Manager or System Preferences (on macOS) to manage startup items.

It's important to diagnose the specific cause of the issues Jane is facing by troubleshooting each potential problem one by one. In some cases, a combination of these solutions may be necessary to fully resolve the problems with her computer keyboard.

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Distinguish between transcription and transposition types of errors and give an example of each  (4mks)

Transcription Errors: Transcription errors involve the incorrect entry of data due to mistakes made during the copying or typing process. These errors can occur when transferring information from one source to another.

Transposition Errors: Transposition errors specifically refer to errors where the order of characters or digits is accidentally reversed or swapped. This can happen during manual data entry or when processing information.

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Differentiate between logical and physical network topology

Physical topology - the physical arrangement of nodes of a computer network

Examples

  • bus topology
  • ring topology
  • mesh topology
  • star topology

Logical topology- the way data flows in a network

Examples

  • Ethernet
  • Ring
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Why are CD-Rs and CD_ROMs referred to as WORM?

  • Because data is recorded to the disks once but can be accessed many times without changing the content
  • once data is written to the disk, it becomes read-only and cannot be altered or erased.
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state two advantages of using a pseudocode during program design

  1. Speeds up coding since converting a pseudocode into a programming language is usually faster and easier
  2. Acts as documentation
  3. Simplifies debugging since logical errors can be identified and corrected early in design stage
  4. Language independent since it is not tied to any specific language so can be translated into different languages
  5. It uses simple english-like statements
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Describe what is meant by ‘RAID 10’.

  • RAID 10 is a combination of RAID 0 (zero) and RAID 1 (one)
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COMPUTER STUDIES

PAPER 1

(THEORY)

OCT./NOV. 2005

2 ½ HOURS

SECTION A (40 MKS)

Answer all the questions in this section.

1. a) What is disk formatting?                                                        (1mk)

b) Indicate whether the following devices are used for input or output  (2mks)

i) Plotter

ii)Light pen

iii)Mouse

iv)Visual display unit

2.a)Explain why the following and give one reason why they are not allowed in a computer laboratory. (2mks)

b) For each of the following give one reason why they are not allowed in a computer laboratory.  (2mks)

i) Smoking

ii)Eating foods

3.Distinguish between Real, integer and Character data types as used in programming (3 mks)

4.The cells k3 to K10 of a worksheet contain remarks on student’s performance such as very good, good, fair and fail depending on the average mark.  Write a formula that can be used to count all students who have the remark “very good”      (3mks)

5.a) State the purpose of registers in a computer system               (1mk)

b)Name two multiprogramming operating systems                   (2 mks)

6.a) A series file comprises of records placed in positions 1 to 10.  State the position of the end of file marker.      (1mk)

  b)State the purpose of each of the following: (2mks)

 i)File server software

ii)Communication software

7.a) Name the control structure depicted by the flowchart below.                   (1 mk)

          

b)Explain the following terms as used in program implementation.      (2mks)

 i)Parallel running

 ii)Direct change over

8. Consider the linear arrays:

 i) AAA (5:50)

 ii)BBB (-5:10)

 iii)CC (18)

Find the number of elements in each array (3mks)

9.Define the term artificial intelligence  (2 mks)

10.Name two types of relationships that can be applied in database design  (2mks)

11.Explain binary Coded Decimal code of data representation (1 mk)

 a)Indenting

 b)Alignment

 c)Word wrap

12.Outline two ways in which a computer can be used in hotels               (2 Marks)

13.a)Explain Binary Coded Decimal code of data representation (1marks)

 b)Write the number 4110 in BCD notation (1 mk)

14.Arrange the following data units in ascending order of size.

   BYTE, FILE, BIT, NIBBlE     (2mks)

15.State two health issues that may result from prolonged use of computers     (2 mks)

SECTION B (60 MARKS)

16. a) State the stage of program development in which  (4 mk)

i) A flowchart would be drawn

 ii)The programmer would check whether the program does as required

 iii)The user guide would be written

iv)The requirements specifications would be written.

b)State the output of the following flow chart segment                  (1mk)

c) i)Draw a flowchart to compute the combined resistance ® of two resistors R1 and R2 in parallel using the formula;

                      (5mks)

ii)Write a program using Pascal or C languages for the flowchart in C (i) above. (5 ½ mks)

17. a)List three paragraph formatting activities in word processing  (3mks)

 b)Differentiate between bolding and highlighting text (2mks)

c) The following information shows the income and expenditure for “bebayote “ matatu for five days.  The income from Monday to Friday was Kshs. 4,000, 9,000, 10, 000, 15,000 and 12,000 respectively while the expenditure for the same period was Kshs.  2,000, 3,000, 7,000, 5,000 and 6,000 respectively

i)Draw a spreadsheet that would contain the information.  Indicate the rows as 1, 2, 3 …. And the columns as a, B, C    (4mks)

ii)State the expression that would be used to obtain:

 I Monday’s profit  (2mks)

 II Total income (2mks)

III)Highest expenditure (2mks)

18.a) Subtract 0112  from 10012 (1mk)

 b)Using two’s compliment, subtract 7 from 4 and give the answer in decimal notation (4mks)

c) Convert

i) 91B16  to octal    (3mks)

ii) 3768   to hexadecimal   (3mks)

iii) 9.62510 to binary  (4 mks)

19.a) Explain what the following DOS commands will do when executed.

    i)  A: \copy *.* B:    (2 mks)

   ii)   C: \> ERASE*. DOC   (2mks)

  iii)   b: \> Md EXAMS  (2mks)

 b)  i)  With the aid of a diagram, explain hierarchical (tree) network topology   (3mks)

  ii)List two advantages and two disadvantage of hierarchical network topology.  (4 mks)

   Advantages:-

   Disadvantages:

20. a)Name and explain the function of the keyboard keys represented by the following symbols.

 

      

 

 

  b) Simulation is one of the application areas of computers        

  i) What is meant by the term simulation      (1mk)

  ii)Name two application areas of simulation   (2 mks)

 iii) State three advantages of computer based simulation (3 mks)

 c) Explain three ways in which computers have impacted education (3mks)

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Shaneela is designing and coding a website. The files she creates will be stored on
a computer.
(a) File management is a function that an operating system performs.
Describe how an operating system organises files

The organisation of files is in a hierarchy/tree structure
A node is either a folder/directory/sub-folder/sub-directory or the file itself
The top node/folder/directory/drive is the root

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Explain a reason necessitating  governments to enact data protection laws

  • To provide legal backing so that it is possible to seek redress if the rights are violated
  • To observe copyright for those who create original works
  • To protect the confidentiality of information kept  about an individual
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Explain the function of the protect sheet feature in the spreadsheet program

  • It is a feature used to prevent unwanted changes to be made on the data contained in a sheet by limiting the ability to make changes
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Why is 2's complement preferred over 1's complement?

  • two's complement has only one value for zero
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Describe one effect of not having primary keys in tables in a relational database

Without a primary key, a table in a database may have duplicate rows, making data not uniquely identifiable. This can lead to issues with data integrity and challenges in maintaining relationships between tables. Retrieving and updating specific records becomes problematic, and setting referential integrity constraints is impossible, potentially leading to loss of data.

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State two reasons for the increased use of computers in offices                      (2 marks)

  • They are small and fit in a small storage space
  • They are portable hence can be carried when need to be used outside the office
  • Low power consumption
  • Have rechargeable batteries
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What is a Uniform Resource Locator?

  • It is an address to a resource on the internet
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An organisation that supplies audiobooks over the internet is moving into a new office building.
 (a) One reason for networking devices is to provide access to the internet.
  (i) Give two other reasons for connecting devices to networks.
 

  • Share peripherals/devices (e.g. printers, scanners)
  • Communicate (e.g. email, instant messaging, play games)
  • Share data (e.g. files/music/videos/backups on servers)
  • Deploy/update applications
     
     

Data integrity in a database can be divided into three categories: referential integrity, domain integrity and entity integrity.

(a)Outline the meaning of each of the following.

(i) Referential integrity

(ii) Entity integrity

(b) Describe how data integrity can improve the process of database management. (2 marks)

(i) Referential integrity

  • Two entities that are related require that a foreign key must have a matching primary key

(ii) Entity integrity

  • Entity integrity specifies that the Primary Keys on every instance of an entity must be kept, must be unique and must have values other than NULL

(b) Describe how data integrity can improve the process of database management. (2 marks)

  • Data integrity is the maintenance of, and the assurance of, data accuracy and consistency over its entire life-cycle and is a critical aspect to the design, implementation, and usage of any system that stores, processes, or retrieves data
  • The overall intent of any data integrity technique is the same: ensure data is recorded exactly as intended (such as a database correctly rejecting mutually exclusive possibilities)
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What is a computer system ?

A computer system refers to computer components that collectively function as a single unit to achieve the desired goal. It can also be defined as a collection of hardware, software, and liveware that work together to receive, process, and manage data

Explain why a software developer should be responsible for addressing ergonomic issues in software design.

Responsibilities of the software developer is to ensure that the ergonomics focuses on making software user-friendly, reduces repetitive motions or eyestrain and enables movements of users to promote comfort and efficiency.

Software can be designed with adjustable text sizes and screen brightness settings to prevent eye strain, offering users a way to customise their visual experience for better comfort during prolonged use.

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A family has purchased a computer system with the following specification:

Processor speed 2200 MHz
RAM 512 Megabyte
Hard disk drive 120 Gigabytes
CD ROM
DVD writer
Modem 56k
Monitor 17"

(a) The computer has been purchased for buying goods and services over the Internet. Explain how each of these items of hardware would be used for this purpose.

Hard disk drive

RAM

DVD writer
Modem

Hard disk drive

  • to hold the operating system/communication and applications software/ISP software
  • for storing files/information/cookies on backing store

RAM

  • for data, computer programs and operating instructions which are moved into it/downloaded for data currently in use

DVD writer

  • Films/videos/pictures/music/multimedia data downloaded/purchased

Modem

  • link/dial up/establish communication with the Internet
  • Convert digital signals to analogue/audio tones (and vice versa) Which can travel across the telephone system
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Describe and give an example of one syntax and one logical programming error.

Syntax
An error that occurs when a command does not follow the expected syntax of the language, e.g. when a keyword is incorrectly spelt
Incorrect: IF A ADN B Then
Correct: IF A AND B Then

Logical
An error that causes a program to output an incorrect answer (that does not necessarily crash the program)
An algorithm that calculates a person’s age from their date of birth, but ends up giving negative numbers

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