admin@kcseforecast.com

Q&A-KCSE Computer Studies Paper 1

State ways in which an OS secures a computer system

  • Access Controls: Authentication of users in order to access files
  • Performing regular patches of updates
  • creating secure accounts with required privileges
  • scrutinizes all incoming and outgoing packets of data through a firewall
  • encryption of data, during transmission
  • Log files to detect any breach
Question Image

Describe what is meant by a MAC address.

  • used to identify a device
  • it is a unique (address)
  • it is a static address // it does not change
  • it is set by the manufacturer
  • the first part is the manufacturer ID/number / identifies the manufacturer
  • the second part is the serial number / ID.

 

Question Image

State and explain four network communication devices

  • Repeaters : amplify data signal thereby extending the physical coverage of a network. It can connect two LANs locally.
  • Bridges: connect similar types of networks e.g a token ring to another token ring
  • Routers: link networks of different types
  • Gateway: allows computers in a network to connect regardless of their topology
Question Image

A computer laboratory experiences power supply problems. Describe three power related problems that should be addressed

Blackout: This is unexpected discontinuation of power supply in the laboratory.

Power sag: Sudden drop of voltage levels that lasts less than a second.

Transients/ surge: High voltage flowing.

Brownout: Partial blackout where there's low voltage flow.

Question Image

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

Question Image

Describe the function of a web browser

Convert the HTML into a webpage which is rendered on the screen

Question Image

Describe how a FRID works.

RFID stands for radio frequency identification. There is an RFID reader and tag.RFID is used in contactless credit and debit cards as well as in some hotel room cards. Inside an RFID tag is a chip that contains a small amount of memory. The chip is attached to a coil of wire which acts as an antenna. When an RFID tag is scanned, the reader emits radio waves which are picked up by the tag’s antenna. The power induced in the tag’s antenna from these waves is enough to power the chip which then uses its antenna to emit its own radio wave, which contains the information held on the chip. This wave is picked up by the reader which decodes the information and returns the information to a computer.

Question Image

KCSE 2003 COMPUTER STUDIES

SECTION A (40 MARKS)

Answer all the questions in this section

1.Computer systems are built from three types of physical components: processors,memories and 1/O devices.

  a) State two tasks of a processor                                                            (2 mks)

  b)State function of 1/O devices                                                               (1 mk)

2. Threats to the safety of computer systems take many forms such as:  white-collar crime, natural disasters, vandalism and carelessness.Give on way as to how each of these forms of threats can be controlled.    2 mks)

3.a) Explain the term nibbles as used in data representation in computers

   b)Perform the following binary arithmetic giving the answers in decimal notation.     (3 mks)

       i)1110.01111 + 11010001 .011

        ii) 1001011.011 - 111.111

     4  a)  Distinguish between machine and assembly language           (2mks)

         b) State the type of translator necessary for a program written in:         (2mks)

            i) High level language

           ii)Assembly language                                                    

5. Briefly explain the purpose of the following types of program documentation: (3mks)

    a)  User manual

     b) Reference guide

     c) Quick reference guide

6. State any two features of a user-friendly program.      (2mks)

7 a) Distinguish between labels and formulae with respect to spreadsheets (2mks)

   b) Consider the entries in the cells below.

 

Cell

B2

B3

C10

C11

C13

Entry

200

100

B2

B3

C10

State the value displayed in cell C13                                      (2 mks)

8.List three differences between wide area Networks (WAN) and Local Area Networks (LAN)      (3mks)

9. Study the flowchart segment below and state the last value printed from the flowchart.         (2 mks)

10.  a) What is an expert system                                                        (1mk)

      b)State any two components of an expert system                     (2mks)

11. give two reasons why optical disks are better storage media compared to floppy diskettes  (2mks)

12.What are the Dos commands used for the following?                       (2mks)

            a) Changing directories

            b) Viewing directories

           c)  Renaming directories

            d) Deleting a directory

13. Distinguish between copying and moving text                                  (2mks)

14. a) Name two methods of paper orientation                                (1mk)

     b)Name two keys used to delete text in a document   (1 mk)

15.Name two features a Database package                                             (2mks)

SECTION B (60 MKS)

Answer question and any other three questions from this section

16.       Study the flowchart below and answer the questions that follow.

 a)Write a high-level language program for the above flowchart (7mks)

 b)List the outputs of the flowchart above                                 (5 mks)

 c) Modify the flowchart so that it adds up all its outputs and displays the sum obtained  (3mks)

17. A computer specification has the following details:

  •  Pentium II
  • 1.44 MB floppy disk drive
  • 20 GB hard disk
  • Full multimedia
  • 17” SVGA monitor
  • Pre-installed operating system
  • Pre-installed office suite

     a)  What is meant by

       i)  1.44 MB floppy disk drive?

       ii)20 GB hard disk?

      iii) 17” SVGA monitor

     b) Which operating system might be pre-installed in this computer and why?         (2mks)

     c) List three multimedia components                                          (3 mks)

      d) i)  what is meant by computer aided manufacture?        (2 mks)

          ii)  Give two examples of computer aided design software.       (2mks)

18. a)Give three examples of network software                                          (3mks)

     b)List any three items that may be referred to as data terminal equipment in a network     (3 mks)

     c)Briefly explain the following terms as used in networking   (4mks)

      i) Remote communication

      ii)Distributed processing

      d) State three advantages and two disadvantages of mesh network topology. (5mks)

19. a)  a company has decided to computerize their operations.  They have decided to purchase package instead of developing their own programs.  Give three advantages and two disadvantages of this approach. 5mks)

      b) i) explain why a value such as 611233444555 may be displayed as ######### When typed in a cell of a spreadsheet (2mks)

       ii)  How can the problem in b (i) above be corrected?      (2mks)

      c) With reasons, briefly describe the most appropriate type of printer output device for the output of:  (6mks)

      i) Customer invoices on multi-part stationery

     ii) Letters to customers

     iii)Detailed engineering designs

20. a)  Distinguish between the following pair of terms                                (6mks)

      i) Data verification and data validation

      ii)Data encryption and passwords

            

Question Image

State the formatting features used in Ms Excel

  • Font Formatting:

    • Font Style: You can change the font style (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman) for cell content.
    • Font Size: Adjust the size of the text within cells.
    • Bold, Italic, and Underline: Apply these formatting options to emphasize text.
    • Font Color: Change the color of the text.
  • Cell Formatting:

    • Number Formats: Apply various number formats, such as currency, percentage, date, and time.
    • Cell Borders: Add or remove borders around cells or cell ranges.
    • Fill Color: Change the background color of cells.
    • Text Alignment: Control how text is aligned within cells (left, right, center, top, bottom).
    • Text Wrapping: Allow text to wrap within a cell if it's too long to fit in one line.
Question Image

State three factors to consider when selecting an operating system to install in a computer        (3 marks)

  • Ease of installation and use
  • Application software intended for use in the computer
  • Processor type. Some processors do not support all operating systems
Question Image

State the type of software that is needed for logging onto the Internet and finding websites selling goods and services.

  1. logging on
  2. finding websites

logging on

  •  dial-up/communications software/ISPsoftware

finding websites

  •  browser/search engine
Question Image

Explain why solid state storage is the best choice for a fitness tracker.

  • Because it will be subject to movement  and it does not use mechanical/moving parts

          OR

  • Solid state storage is smaller/more compact so better suited for a wearable device

          OR

  • Doesn’t have moving parts  because they could be disrupted during use
Question Image

Describe three possible threats to the computers connected to the network and give one way each threat can be reduced or prevented

Virus / trojan / worm / malware

  • Piece of software/code/a program that replicates itself  or causes damage e.g. editing/deleting files

Prevention

  • Running anti-virus/anti-malware software 
  • don’t download from unknown sources
  • don’t click on unknown links

Spyware / malware / keylogger

  • Piece of software/code/a program that records actions/key presses and sends this data to a third party analysis

Prevention

  •  Running anti-spyware/anti-malware software/firewall

Data interception / passive

  • Data is sent to another device and is intercepted by a third party

Prevention

  • Encryption

Phishing

  • An e-mail has a link that when clicked directs the user to a fake website that collects personal data

Prevention

  • Network policy // firewall

Pharming

  • A piece of code installed that redirects user to fake website that collects personal data

Prevention

  • Anti-malware or firewall

Hacker

  • Person attempting to gain unauthorised access to the network/computers/ data/files 
  • unauthorised access and then deleting/editing data/files

Prevention

  • Firewall
  • strong password 
  • biometrics
  • penetration testing
Question Image

Give one reason why use of video-conferencing has increased over the last ten years.

– faster communications now widely available
– safety reasons, e.g. increase in terrorist attacks on international flights
– reduced transportation/accommodation/hardware costs
– environmental issues, e.g. reduced carbon footprint
– increase in multinational working

What is a backup?

A backup is a copy of data that can be used if the original data is lost.

Question Image

Give two reasons why hexadecimal is often used instead of binary in computer
science.

  • hexadecimal is easier (for humans) to read (than binary);
  • numbers are displayed in a more compact way (in hexadecimal than in binary);
  • it is quicker to type in (hexadecimal numbers than binary numbers);
  • it reduces the risk of typing errors (in hexadecimal numbers than binary numbers);
Question Image

What is a computer keyboard?

A computer keyboard is an input device used to enter text, characters, and various commands into a computer or other digital devices.

Question Image

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.

Question Image

Explain the difference between main memory and secondary storage.

  • Main memory is transitory/temporary/volatile, secondary storage is (semi-)permanent
  • The processor can only use data/instructions that are in the main memory
  • Main memory is directly accessible to the processor, secondary storage is not directly accessible to the processor 
Question Image

State the symptoms of a computer virus

  • Unfamiliar graphics or quizzical messages appear on the screen
  • Programs taking longer than usual to load
  • Less memory allowance than usual
  • Unusual error messages occurring more frequently
Question Image