Download BTEC Computing Unit 2 Q&A Revision Guide 2025 - Computer Systems and more Exams Computer Science in PDF only on Docsity!
BTEC Computing Unit 2 questions and
answers 2025/2026 latest update Utility software - answerSoftware used by the OS to help manage resources and services for computer
systems. Features of utility software - answerSecurity, Connectivity, Back up and Restore. Uses of utility software -Anti-virus software and registry cleaners. answerData compression, Disk defragmentation, Data encryption, Back up,
Factors affecting performance of utility software - answerCPU, GPU and Memory. Factors affecting choices of utility software - answerCost, Ease of use and Availability. Application software - answerComputer program used to perform functions and activities for the user. Features of application software -Menus. answerStorage of data, Creating and editing documents, GUI and
Uses of application software -programs and Desktop publishing. answerE-mail, Word processing, Database programs, Spreadsheet
Factors affecting performance of application software -to use memory efficiently and The processing required. answerComplexity, Design, The network, Ability
Factors affecting choices of application software - answerCost, Ease of use, Availability and Design. Principles of open source - answerFree, Interchangeable for anyone.
Implications of open source -to the code. answercan be copied, less secure and can be edited by anyone with access
CPU (Central Processing Unit) -managed and executed. Performance is measured by instructions executed per unit time. answerThe CPU is the part of the computer where operations are
Hardware used in output devices -data to the user answerThese are used to get anything out of the computer/ provide
- Printers
- Screens- Projectors
- Speakers Backing storage types e.g USB memory stick -USB memory sticks: a removable device that can store data, measured in gigabytes and terabytes. answerExternal hardware for example optical disks (CDs). Capacity typically starts at 2GB but can go as high as 512GB or 1TB. 2.0 USB can transfer data at 60megabytes per second. 3.0 USB can transfer up to 640 megabytes per second.
Multi-functional device -printer. answerThese are devices that perform multiple functions, for example a
Motherboard -which has connectors for other circuit boards and the principal components of a computer to be slotted answerA circuit board, located on the bottom or at the back of the computer chassis into. Allows communication to the CPU, RAM, as well as all other computer hardware components. Personal computer - answerA computer widely used for work and used by individuals. Power Supply (PSU) -into standard electrical outlets where the power supply then pulls the required amount of electricity answerSupplies power to a computer. Usually, personal computers can be plugged and coverts the current from AC to DC. Mobile devices -camera and a phone. answerThese are multi-functional, as they not only consist of a computer but often a
Internal Memory e.g Cache -instead of slower and cheaper dynamic RAM (DRAM) used for main memory. answerCache is a portion of memory made of high-speed static RAM
Personal computer (Features) -is much easier to change internal components in a desktop PC than a laptop as in a laptop most of the answerMotherboard, Processor, memory, backing storage (HDD, SSD). It functionality is built into the motherboard. Backing storage e.g optical media (Blu-ray). -is a Blu-ray disc which has a data transfer rate of 4.5 megabytes per second. They usually come with a answerAn example of optical media (discs read by a laser) storage capacity of 25GB (1 layer of storage) or 50GB (2 layers). Flash memory cards have a data transfer rate range from 10 megabytes per second to 80 MB/s. SSD -switched off, it has no moving parts, therefore it is faster than a HDD as it doesn't have to wait for the answerUses electronic memory to store date and does not lose content when the computer is disk to the rotate or the head to move to the right track, they also do not suffer the effects of diskdefragmentation, with no moving parts they are shock proof and use less power than HDD's however they are shock proof and use less power than HDD's, however they are more expensive. Coaxial cable - answerA coaxial cable is used as a transmission line for radio frequency signals. Mobile devices (Features) -chip (Soc) which has the functionality of a motherboard and a CPU. The RAM is usually different to the answerThe main internal component of a mobile device is the system on a Soc and NAND flash memory is used for backing storage. Optical Cabling -source to another. answerA digital optical cable is used to transfer data, usually audio or video, from one
System on a chip -small sized and has lower power consumption. answerA single integrated circuit which combines all the functions of a computer, it is
Twisted Pair Cabling - answerA twisted pair cable is used to reduce outside interference.
NAND flash memory - answerUsed in SSD's and is non-volatile. Heat Sink -electronic or a mechanical device such as the CPU to a fluid medium, often air or a liquid coolant, where answerA heat sink is a passive heat exchanger that transfers the heat generated by an it is dissipated away from the device, therefore allowing regulation of the device's temperature atoptimal levels.
HDD -magnetic tracks on the disc using a read/write head which move on the track then copy the data from answerThis works by spinning a disc around the inside of the device. Data is stored on an invisible the track to RAM (read) or record data from RAM to the track (write). Hard Drive Configuration and Controllers e.g SATA, IDE -operating systems. This can manage things such as RAM and is responsible for managing the computer answerCan consist of physical hardware or primary memory. Factors affecting choice, use and performance of internal components. -in a high spec computer for office tasks. answerPerformance - no point
Availability - if you need a system running straight away you don't want to be waiting for a part. Environment - this can help save the planet, money and good marketing material for the manufacturer. Hard Drive Configuration e.g Master Slave -different modes, can assign drives into different modes, can assign drives for different processes and answerThis can be used to convert various drives into retrieve data about a drive. This service helps the user to change, update or more drivers for each piece of hardware in thecomputer, this will help improve performance when the user updates drivers.
Hardware used in Input devices - answerThese are used to control or get data into computer systems.
- Keyboard- Mouse
- Webcam- Microphone
Plotter -paper using a pen. answerThe purpose of a plotter is to give a hard copy of the output since it draws pictures on
Factors affecting choice of hardware - User experience -device must meet the needs of the user or there would be no point in the hardware. answerThis is the most important factor, the
Camera - answerA camera is a device for recording images as photographs or to film. Aspects user experience will affect choice of hardware - Ease of use -use or is more likely to save time is going to be preferred by most people. answerHardware that is easy to
Scanner - answerA scanner is a device that can scan documents and convert them into digital data. Aspects user experience will affect choice of hardware - Performance -will depend on whether the technology is for pleasure or business. answerThe level of performance
Graphics cards -to handle. The card has a chip called a Graphics Processor Unit (GPU) which is a microprocessor answerA graphics card handles the work which a computer's microprocessor is too full specialised for video calculations. The GPU lets the main processor do its job therefore allowing thecomputer to run at full speed.
Aspects user experience will affect choice of hardware - Accessibility -choices if the user requires specialist devices such as touchscreens, ergonomic or light operated answerThis may dictate hardware keyboards or mice. Backing Storage -(PATA), Serial ATA (SATA), Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) and Solid State Drives (SSD). answerThere are 4 types of hard drives: Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment
Factors affecting choice of hardware - User needs -inform the criteria they use to make hardware choices. answerEach user will have different needs, which
Factors affecting choice of hardware - Compatbility -things that need to interact and connect to do so properly. If they do not connect physically or interact answerCompatibility means whether two or more with each other, they are not compatible. Factors affecting choice of hardware - Cost -when making a choice about hardware, this depends on the manufacturer and the specification. answerThe cost of a computer system is very much a factor
Factors affecting choice of hardware - Efficiency -reflect its needs and is determined by the quality of components used. answerThe efficiency of a computer system must
Factors affecting choice of hardware - Implementation -affect hardware choices answerThe urgency for the implementation will
Factors affecting choice of hardware - Implementation (Timescales) -be readily available or the new hardware may be too disruptive. answerThe new hardware may not
Factors affecting choice of hardware - Implementation (Testing) -computer system without having tested it first, test for comfort, weight. answerIt is irresponsible to choose a
Factors affecting choice of hardware - Implementation (Migration to new system) -of migration needs to be straightforward and reliable. answerThe process
Factors affecting choice of hardware - Productivity -increase productivity. answerBusiness often have to upgrade hardware to
Factors affecting choice of hardware - Security -protection against physical and cyber attacks. answerThe hardware needs to be secure and up-to-date
Data storage and recovery systems - RAID -are used when there are more than one HDD and SSD used within the same computer system. There are answerRedundant array of independent disks, RAID systems several RAID standards that use data redundancy to duplicate data across the drivers. RAID 0 - answerBlock level striping to spread/read data across drives.
Menu -function. Menus usually 'pop-up' or 'drop-down' answerAllows user to select functions from a list. Each item in the list will perform a different
Pointer -to: select and use icons, select options found in menus or re position folders and icons on the screen. answerLittle arrows that move across the screen by directing the mouse. Pointers can be used
Command line User Interface (CLI) -and OS before windows was developed. User types simple instructions to browse files, open files and answerDOS (Disk OS), older method for interacting with applications run programs. Commands are specific. Menu based User Interface -through a series of screens and menus. answerLets you interact with the computer or device by working your way
Factors affecting choice of OS -Customisation, Performance and Cost answerType of OS, Origin of OS, Compatibility, Intended use, Scope of
Factors affecting Type of OS -time answerDepends on amount of functions needed to be executed at one
Factors affecting Origin of OS -more generally used and support popular software. Open-Source users can contribute to features and answerChoose between proprietary OS and open-source OS. Proprietary capabilities of OS. Factors affecting Compatibility - answerMay be differences in file systems and issues of compatibility. Factors affecting Intended use -directly with the OS (software developer, data engineer or IT technician) answerCommand line would be used for people who need to interact GUI used if person doesn't need access to OS directly and only needs basic functions. Factors affecting Scope of Customisation -Software development businesses need an open source OS and home and business PCs would prefer answerOpen-source more customisation than proprietary. proprietary OS.
Factors affecting Performance -software. Support latest hardware and software apps therefore more current versions of OS are most answerThe fastest performing OS make modest demands of the appropriate. Factors affecting Cost -extra costs attached to technical support, however larger businesses will have IT technicians. In a answerCost of OS will be a factor for an individual or business including possible business a new OS will require staff training. Cost of OS will be greater if it not compatible with softwareand documents previously used by a business.
Fundamental Use of OS -computer systems. OS is link between people and software using hardware. answerProvide interface between users and the software applications on the
Effect of OS performance -one time. A system running multiple applications and performing numerous operations at the same time answerAmount of data you want your computer system to process at any will use considerable amounts of memory and processing power. CPU (Central Processing Unit) -managed and executed. Performance is measured by instructions executed per unit time. answerThe CPU is the part of the computer where operations are
Backing storage types e.g USB memory stick -USB memory sticks: a removable device that can store data, measured in gigabytes and terabytes. answerExternal hardware for example optical disks (CDs). Capacity typically starts at 2GB but can go as high as 512GB or 1TB. 2.0 USB can transfer data at 60megabytes per second. 3.0 USB can transfer up to 640 megabytes per second.
Motherboard -which has connectors for other circuit boards and the principal components of a computer to be slotted answerA circuit board, located on the bottom or at the back of the computer chassis into. Allows communication to the CPU, RAM, as well as all other computer hardware components. Power Supply (PSU) -into standard electrical outlets where the power supply then pulls the required amount of electricity answerSupplies power to a computer. Usually, personal computers can be plugged and coverts the current from AC to DC. BIOS -computer started after you turn it on. answerA set of computer instructions which controls input and output operations to get the
Heat Sink -electronic or a mechanical device such as the CPU to a fluid medium, often air or a liquid coolant, where answerA heat sink is a passive heat exchanger that transfers the heat generated by an it is dissipated away from the device, therefore allowing regulation of the device's temperature atoptimal levels.
Hard Drive Configuration and Controllers e.g SATA, IDE -operating systems. This can manage things such as RAM and is responsible for managing the computer answerCan consist of physical hardware or primary memory. Hard Drive Configuration e.g Master Slave -different modes, can assign drives into different modes, can assign drives for different processes and answerThis can be used to convert various drives into retrieve data about a drive.This service helps the user to change, update or more drivers for each piece of hardware in the computer, this will help improve performance when the user updates drivers. Monitor -allow the user to interact with the computer by using the keyboard and mouse. There are 3 types of answerThe purpose of a monitor is to display the computer's interface and open programs to monitors: CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)- most commonly used in the manufacturing of television screens, LCD(Liquid Crystal Display)- one of the most advanced technologies available today and LED (Light-Emitting Diodes). Printer -transfer the information to a piece of paper. answerThe purpose of a printer is to accept text and graphic output from a computer and
Plotter -paper using a pen. answerThe purpose of a plotter is to give a hard copy of the output since it draws pictures on
Camera - answerA camera is a device for recording images as photographs or to film. Scanner - answerA scanner is a device that can scan documents and convert them into digital data. Graphics cards -to handle. The card has a chip called a Graphics Processor Unit (GPU) which is a microprocessor answerA graphics card handles the work which a computer's microprocessor is too full specialised for video calculations. The GPU lets the main processor do its job therefore allowing thecomputer to run at full speed.
Backing Storage -(PATA), Serial ATA (SATA), Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) and Solid State Drives (SSD). answerThere are 4 types of hard drives: Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment
