basic tech knowledge

Basic Tech Questions

1. What are RAM and ROM?

RAM: - Random Access memory

Random access memory (usually known by its acronym, RAM) is a type of data store used in computers that allows the stored data to be accessed in any order — that is, at random, not just in sequence.

ROM: - Read Only Memory

Read-only memory (ROM) is a class of storage media used in computers and other electronic devices. Because it cannot (easily) be written to, its main uses lie in the distribution of firmware (software that is very closely related to hardware and not likely to need frequent upgrading). Once data has been written onto a ROM chip, it cannot be removed and can only be read.

2. What is CPU?

CPU: - Central Processing Unit

The CPU is the brains of the computer. Sometimes referred to simply as the processor or central processor, the CPU is where most calculations take place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system

CPUs provide the fundamental digital computer trait of programmability, and are one of the necessary components found in computers of any era, along with primary storage and input/output facilities. A CPU that is manufactured using integrated circuits is known as a microprocessor.

3. What are storage devices?

Storage device:

In computing, a data storage device—as the name implies—is a device for storing data. It usually refers to permanent storage, that is, the data will remain stored when power is removed from the device; unlike semiconductor RAM. Recording can be done mechanically, magnetically, or optically.

Hard Disc, Floppy Disc, Compaq Disc

4. What’s a MODEM?

Modem:

Is a hardware device used to connect to the internet. The word modem is derived from the terms MODULATOR/DEMODULATOR.

A modem is a device or program that enables a computer to transmit data over, for example, telephone or cable lines. Computer information is stored digitally, whereas information transmitted over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of analog waves. A modem converts between these two forms.

A modem modulates an analogue signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data.

Modems can be used over any means of transmitting analog signals, from driven diodes to radio.

5. What is an Operating System?

An operating system (OS) is a computer program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer. At the foundation of all system software, the OS performs basic tasks such as controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing system requests, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files. It also may provide a graphical user interface for higher level functions.

E.g.: Unix, Linux, MacOSx, and Microsoft Windows

6. What’s a Device Manager?

The Device Manager is one of Windows' most useful diagnostic tools. It lets you see all of the devices attached to your computer, and which resources they are using.

7. What is an Anti Virus?

Antivirus (or "anti-virus") software is a class of program that searches your hard drive and floppy disks for any known or potential viruses.

E.g.: McAfee, Norton, AVG Anti-Virus system

8. What’s A VIRUS?

A computer virus is a self-replicating computer program written to alter the way a computer operates, without the permission or knowledge of the user. It may alter the functioning of the computer and result in loss of data.

9. How do you go to ADD & REMOVE PROGRAM?

Start->Control Panel->Add/Remove Prog.

10. How do you remove unwanted software’s?

Start->Control Panel->Add/Remove Prog-> Select the software-> Remove.

11. What’s the difference between INTERNET & INTRANET?

INTERNET:

It is a "network of networks" that consists of millions of smaller domestic, academic, business, and government networks, which together carry various information and services, such as electronic mail, online chat, file transfer, and the interlinked Web pages and other documents of the World Wide Web.

INTRANET:

An intranet is a private computer network that uses Internet protocols, network connectivity, and possibly the public telecommunication system to securely share part of an organization's information or operations with its employees. Sometimes the term refers only to the most visible service, the internal website. The same concepts and technologies of the Internet such as clients and servers running on the Internet protocol suite are used to build an intranet.

12. Name some SEARCH ENGINES?

Computer programs which search for Web documents by keywords or phrases E.g.: Google, AltaVista, EXCITE

13. Can you log on to YAHOO ACCOUNT Simultaneously at two places?

Yes

14. What is an ISP?

An ISP (Internet service provider) is a company that provides individuals and other companies’ access to the Internet and other related services such as Website building.

E.g.: SBC Yahoo. BT Broadband, AOL.

Sify, Hathway, Airtel.

15. What’s the difference between LAN & WAN?

LAN (Local Area Network):

A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and associated devices that share a common communications line or wireless link. Typically, connected devices share the resources of a single processor or server within a small geographic area (for example, within an office building). Usually, the server has applications and data storage that are shared in common by multiple computer users. A local area network may serve as few as two or three users (for example, in a home network) or as many as thousands of users

WAN (Wide Area Network):

A wide area network or WAN is a computer network covering a broad geographical area The largest and most well-known example of a WAN is the Internet .WANs are used to connect local area networks (LANs) together, so that users and computers in one location can communicate with users and computers in other locations. Many WANs are built for one particular organization and are private.

16. What is An IP Address?

(Internet Protocol Address) A unique number consisting of 4 parts separated by dots, eg 165.113.245.2 Every machine that is on the Internet has a unique IP address - if a machine does not have an IP address, it is not really on the Internet. IP Address cannot be same for any 2 computers.

A static IP address is a number that is assigned to a computer by an Internet service provider (ISP) to be its permanent address on the Internet. Computers use IP addresses to locate and talk to each other on the Internet, much the same way people use phone numbers to locate and talk to one another on the telephone.

17. How do you find an IP address?
1. Start – Run – ipconfig
2. Start – run – CMD/command – ipconfig

18. What is a Browser?

A browser is a software program that lets you explore the World Wide Web to find text, graphics, sound, movies, games, chats and more.

A browser helps you link to pages on websites around the world. To find a website, type in a URL (web address) or click a link or a button in the toolbar.

19. How to add favorite links in Internet explorer?

Favorites->Add to Favorite

20. What are temporary internet files? How do you delete them?

The Temporary Internet Files (or cache) folder contains Web page content that is stored on your hard disk for quick viewing. This cache permits Internet Explorer or MSN Explorer to download only the content that has changed since you last viewed a Web page, instead of downloading all the content for a page every time it is displayed.

To delete the files in the Temporary Internet Files folder, follow these steps:

1. Quit Internet Explorer and quit any instances of Windows Explorer.

2. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet Options.

3. On the General tab, click Delete Files under Temporary Internet Files.

4. In the Delete Files dialog box, click to select the Delete all offline content check box, and then click OK.

5. Click OK.

21. What does WWW stands for?

World Wide Web

22. What does HTTP stands for?

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

23. What does URL stands for?

Uniform Resource Locator (Web Address)

24. What is an Email Client?

An application that runs on a personal computer or workstation and enables you to send, receive and organize e-mail.

25. What’s a MICROSOFT OUTLOOK/OUTLOOK EXPRESS?

It is an Email client, a s/w to send/receive e-mail

26. What is the difference between a dialup and a DSL/Broad band connection?

Dialup connection

Dial-up connections are the most common type of internet connection available from ISPs; they are also the slowest and (usually) the most inexpensive. A dial-up connection allows you to connect to the internet via a local server using a standard 56k modem, your PC literally dials (hence the name) a phone number (provided by your ISP) and connects to the server and therefore the internet.

Broadband /DSL

DSL (digital subscriber line) technology uses plain old copper phone wires to deliver data at high speeds to your home or office. It's the second-most- popular broadband service behind cable.

To get DSL, you'll need a phone line, a DSL modem, which usually comes with the service; an Ethernet card; and a company that's willing to sell the service to you at your current location.

27. What is DNS?

Domain Name System (or Service or Server), an Internet service that translates domain names into IP addresses. Because domain names are alphabetic, they're easier to remember. The Internet however, is really based on IP addresses. Every time you use a domain name, therefore, a DNS service must translate the name into the corresponding IP address.

For example, the domain name www.example.com might translate to 66.230.200.100

28. How do I find out if I am connected to the internet or not?

Ans:

1. Check the Icon Tray
2. Start-Settings-Network Connections-right click on Local Area Network Icon- check Status
28. How can I receive my mails on my computer with out signing in to my email account?

Ans:

· Need to get the POP3 and the SMTP settings of your personal Email account.

· These settings are required to be configured in the Microsoft outlook software installed on you computer

30. My internet is working but I am not able use my Email client?

Ans:

· Need to check the POP3 and SMTP settings and the port number

31. POP – Post Office Protocol (Incoming Mail Protocol)

32. SMTP – Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (Outgoing Mail Protocol)

33. TCP/IP – Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol.

34. USB – Universal Serial Bus

35. What is a blue screen error?

Ans: The condition when computer doesn’t boot completely but shows a blank blue screen on the monitor is called the blue screen error.

Possible causes can be:

A. Short Circuit on the mother board.

B. Corruption of boot sector in Hard Disc.

C. Any Virus Attack.

How to fix:

A. Reinstallation of OS

B. Running system repair disk

C. System Restore.

36. How can we boot the computer in Safe Mode?

Ans: Turn On the PC and press the F8 key continuously while the PC is booting.

37. What is MSCONFIG?

Ans: This command is used to check the system configuration of the PC.

38. I am connected to internet but the speed of my internet connection is very slow. Why? (In case of a broadband and Cable connection)

Ans:

1. It depends on the package the customer has subscribed for.
2. Number of users on the network at any given point of time.

39. I bought a new computer. How should I connect it to my old computer?

Ans:

· To connect 2 computers you need a router, network cable/ or a wireless LAN card

40. What is firewall? Is it important to have firewall on the computer?

Ans:

Firewall: A system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a combination of both. Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets. All messages entering or leaving the intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.

41. How can I improve my computer's Internet connection speed?

Ans:

If you are a new user, you need to address four things to ensure your computer is ready to connect at the best possible speed:

1. Your computer’s processing speed
2. The amount of RAM you have in your computer
3. The speed and type of modem you are using.
4. The quality of the telephone line service you have at your location

42. What is an ISP?

Ans: An ISP (Internet service provider) is a company that provides individuals and other companies’ access to the Internet and other related services such as Website building.

43. How can we check the version of Windows?

Ans. A) Right Click on My Computer->Properties->General Tab

B) Click on Start->Run->Type WINVER

44. What is a Domain Name?

Ans. A name that identifies one or more IP addresses. For example, the domain name microsoft.com represents about a dozen IP addresses. Domain names are used in URLs to identify particular Web pages. For example, in the URL http://www.pcwebopedia.com/index.html, the domain name is pcwebopedia.com