Computer Hardware MCQs
Which of the following devices converts a digital image into a printed page (softcopy to hardcopy)?
- A. Scanner
- B. Printer
- C. Monitor
- D. CPU
A device that generates character codes when you press keys is called a:
- A. Hard Drive
- B. Mouse
- C. Keyboard
- D. Printer
What is considered the "brain" or central component of a computer?
- A. CPU
- B. Input Device
- C. Output Device
- D. None of these
Which hardware component displays information to the user?
- A. CPU
- B. Printer
- C. Memory Unit
- D. Monitor
A computer monitor is also known by which acronym?
- A. DVD
- B. VDU
- C. CCTV
- D. DVU
What does VDU stand for?
- A. Very Display Unit
- B. Virtual Display Uniform
- C. Visual Display Unit
- D. Virtual Detection Unit
Integrated circuit chips in computers are typically made from:
- A. Silicon
- B. Microprocessor
- C. Iron
- D. None of these
Which component holds the CPU, RAM, ROM, and expansion cards?
- A. Hard Disk
- B. Floppy Disk
- C. All of these
- D. Motherboard
Which operations can RAM perform?
- A. Read and Write
- B. Decipher
- C. Read only
- D. Write only
Which of these is NOT an impact printer?
- A. Automatic printer
- B. Electronic printer
- C. Laser printer
- D. Dot-matrix printer
Through which device do we enter data and instructions into a computer?
- A. Memory
- B. Output Device
- C. Software
- D. Input Device
Working in MS Word typically uses which of these?
- A. Mouse only
- B. Keyboard only
- C. Both Mouse and Keyboard
- D. USB only
A hard disk in a computer is classified as a:
- A. Processor
- B. Output Device
- C. Software
- D. Storage Device
Where inside the computer are arithmetic and comparison operations carried out?
- A. Monitor
- B. CPU Chip
- C. Memory Chip
- D. Hard Disk
A computer’s five basic operations are input, ____, output, storage, and control.
- A. Execute
- B. Compile
- C. Process
- D. Compute
The ALU executes instructions under direction from the:
- A. Control Section
- B. External Memory
- C. Cache Memory
- D. Primary Memory
Which human organ is most analogous to a computer’s CPU?
- A. Brain
- B. Heart
- C. Lungs
- D. None
Which device handles the processing of data in a PC?
- A. CPU
- B. RAM
- C. VDU
- D. DCU
The printed result produced by a computer is called a:
- A. Hard Copy
- B. Copy
- C. Soft Copy
- D. Paper
What term describes any device used to enter data into a computer?
- A. Software
- B. Output Device
- C. Input Device
- D. Memory
A smart or "intelligent" device usually contains its own ____.
- A. Sensor
- B. Computer
- C. Laptop
- D. Program
Which of these is NOT a basic function of a computer?
- A. Data processing
- B. Data storage
- C. Data movement and control
- D. All of these
The network of wires that links the control unit, ALU, and registers is called the:
- A. Control unit connection
- B. CPU interconnection
- C. Wires
- D. Communications
One of the primary tasks a computer performs is the ____ of a program.
- A. Collection
- B. Execution
- C. Submission
- D. Calculation
Multiplexing is commonly used in ____ communications.
- A. Two
- B. Facility
- C. Lowest
- D. Long-Haul
Trunk channels on long-haul networks often use which medium?
- A. Coaxial
- B. Microwave
- C. High-capacity fiber
- D. All of these
Limiting how long variables live in memory helps conserve:
- A. Registers
- B. Memory space
- C. Calling function
- D. Code
Which device converts printed pages into digital form (hardcopy to softcopy)?
- A. Scanner
- B. Printer
- C. Trackball
- D. Monitor
Which unit carries out the computer’s data processing tasks?
- A. Control Unit
- B. ALU
- C. Registers
- D. CPU interconnection
The memory unit is part of the:
- A. Input device
- B. Control unit
- C. Output device
- D. Central Processing Unit
Which of these is an output device?
- A. Keyboard
- B. Printer
- C. Mouse
- D. None of the above
BIOS (firmware) cannot function without a:
- A. CPU
- B. Hard Drive
- C. RAM
- D. Motherboard
Volatile memory requires ____ to retain stored data.
- A. Power
- B. No power
- C. May require power
- D. None of these
The CPU consists of which basic parts?
- A. Arithmetic and Logic Unit
- B. Control Unit and Registers
- C. Cache and Internal buses
- D. All of these
How many fundamental types of RAM exist?
- A. 3
- B. 2
- C. 4
- D. 1
Flash drives are commonly called:
- A. USB memory pens
- B. USB pen drives
- C. USB memory sticks
- D. All of these
A modem is an example of which type of computer component?
- A. Hardware
- B. Software
- C. Both
- D. None of these
Optical Character Readers (OCR) are used for:
- A. Visual Display
- B. Output
- C. Input
- D. Storage device
The computer mouse is classified as a(n):
- A. Input
- B. Output
- C. Data
- D. None of these
Which item is required for an inkjet printer to function?
- A. A drum
- B. A cartridge
- C. A ribbon
- D. None of these
LaserJet printers are rated by:
- A. Pages per minute
- B. Lines per minute
- C. Dots per inch
- D. None of these
Which of these is part of the system unit?
- A. Motherboard
- B. CPU
- C. RAM
- D. All of these
A CD-ROM is an example of:
- A. Semiconductor memory
- B. Memory register
- C. Magnetic memory
- D. None of the above
Which storage device offers the largest capacity?
- A. DVD
- B. ALU
- C. CD-ROM
- D. Hard Disk
NTFS stands for:
- A. New Term File System
- B. New Technology File System
- C. New Technology File Server
- D. None of these
The term "hard copy" refers to:
- A. Printer
- B. Print out
- C. Hard Disk
- D. Paper
Which of these is an example of an output device?
- A. Keyboard
- B. Printer
- C. Scanner
- D. Mouse
The physical parts of a computer are collectively called:
- A. Software
- B. Hardware
- C. Humanware
- D. All of these
A printer produces which type of copy?
- A. Hard copy
- B. Soft copy
- C. Photocopy
- D. None
A modem is typically connected to a:
- A. Telephone line
- B. Keyboard
- C. Printer
- D. Monitor
Which is NOT a primary storage device?
- A. Magnetic Tape
- B. Hard Disk
- C. Optical Disk
- D. All of these
An internal hard disk is usually:
- A. Fixed
- B. Not fixed
- C. Removable
- D. Removable but not fixed
Hard disk drives are classified as ____ storage.
- A. Flash
- B. Non-volatile
- C. Non-permanent
- D. Temporary
Which storage technology does a hard disk use?
- A. Optical Storage
- B. Magnetic Storage
- C. Solid-State Device
- D. None of these
Who first developed the hard disk drive?
- A. IBM
- B. John Bardeen
- C. Both
- D. None
The main memory of a computer is also called:
- A. Primary storage
- B. Internal memory
- C. Primary memory
- D. None of these
A hard disk in a PC is classified as a:
- A. Storage device
- B. Software
- C. Both
- D. None
When you install a new peripheral, you generally also install a:
- A. Port
- B. Server
- C. Driver
- D. Password
Peripheral components typically connect to the
- A. Motherboard
- B. CPU
- C. Keyboard
- D. None
Writing data into memory is called:
- A. Reading
- B. Writing
- C. Controlling
- D. None of these
Which of these is an output device?
- A. Monitor
- B. Printer
- C. Headphones
- D. All of these
Which of these are common input devices?
- A. Keyboard
- B. Mouse
- C. Card reader
- D. All of these
The most widely used type of printer today is the:
- A. Scanner
- B. Laser printer
- C. Dot-matrix printer
- D. Inkjet printer
Who invented the first computer mouse?
- A. Douglas Engelbart
- B. Ada Lovelace
- C. Charles Babbage
- D. Graham Bell
- E. None of these
A touch screen serves as a(n):
- A. Input device
- B. Output device
- C. Both A & B
- D. None of these
Which technology is used to read data from a compact disc?
- A. Laser
- B. Mechanical
- C. Electrical
- D. Electro-Magnetic
A computer that can process both analog and digital signals is a:
- A. Analog computer
- B. Digital computer
- C. Hybrid computer
- D. Mainframe computer
A video-capturing device connected via USB is called a:
- A. Mouse
- B. FAX
- C. Webcam
- D. Monitor
A computer executes instructions in which sequence?
- A. Store, Fetch, Execute
- B. Fetch, Decode, Execute
- C. Execute, Fetch, Decode
- D. None of these
Which of these is a secondary storage device?
- A. RAM
- B. ROM
- C. Diode
- D. Hard Disk
Charles Babbage’s early computing machine was named the:
- A. Abacus
- B. Supercomputer
- C. Analytical Engine
- D. Processing Machine
Components like RAM, CPU, ROM, PCI slots, and USB ports are mounted on the:
- A. Motherboard
- B. Hard Disk
- C. Monitor
- D. None of these
Which of these uses circular magnetic platters for storage?
- A. Disk
- B. Memory Card
- C. Pen drives
- D. None of these
Which of these is NOT an input device?
- A. Microphone
- B. Joystick
- C. Monitor
- D. Keyboard
Microprocessors first appeared in which generation of computers?
- A. Second Generation
- B. Fourth Generation
- C. Third Generation
- D. Both A and B
Which type of printer uses a drum to transfer toner onto paper?
- A. Inkjet
- B. Laser
- C. Thermal
- D. Dot Matrix