Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a type of device special file used in Linux systems?

Accepted Answer

Stream special files are not a recognized category of device special files in Linux systems. Linux recognizes block and character special files for handling devices, and named pipes for inter-process communication, but "stream special files" is not a standard classification.

Question 2

Device drivers perform the actual communication between physical devices and the operating system.

Accepted Answer

Device drivers act as intermediaries, translating between the operating system's generic commands and the specific instructions required by the physical hardware, thus enabling communication between the two.

Question 3

Which of the following is a common format for distributing driver files?

Accepted Answer

ZIP files are commonly used to distribute driver files because they can compress multiple files into a single, smaller file, making it easier to download and distribute.

Question 4

You have attached a new USB camera to your computer but it doesn't seem to be working. Which tool can you use to see if Windows successfully installed the driver and verify that the device is working correctly?

Accepted Answer

Device Manager is the tool in Windows that allows users to view and control the hardware attached to the computer. If a device like a USB camera isn't working, Device Manager can be used to check if the driver is installed correctly and if the device is functioning properly.

Question 5

In which I/O device communication strategy are the control and data registers separate from the computer's RAM address space?

Accepted Answer

In port-mapped I/O (also known as isolated I/O), the control and data registers of the I/O devices are addressed using a separate address space from the computer's main RAM, unlike memory-mapped I/O where they share the same address space as the RAM.

Question 6

Generic mouse and keyboard drivers are included with the OS.

Accepted Answer

Most operating systems come with generic mouse and keyboard drivers to ensure basic functionality for these input devices right after installation.

Question 7

The management software for your sound card has just downloaded and installed the latest driver for your sound card. After a reboot, your computer shows signs of instability and the sound skips. What feature should you use to resolve the problem that will cause the least disruption?

Accepted Answer

Driver roll back is the best option to resolve the issue with the least disruption. It allows you to revert to the previous version of the driver, which was working fine before the update, without affecting other system settings or files.

Question 8

You are designing a new device that must be able to accept bursts of data that are held until the CPU is ready for them. What can you include in the device design to accommodate this requirement?

Accepted Answer

A FIFO (First In, First Out) chip is specifically designed to handle situations where data needs to be buffered or temporarily stored until the CPU is ready to process it. This makes it ideal for accepting bursts of data and holding them until the CPU can process them.

Question 9

You are writing a device driver for a sensor attached to the computer. Your driver is experiencing an error when it tries to write a command instructing the device to read data. In which component of the device does the problem most likely lie?

Accepted Answer

The control register is responsible for receiving commands from the CPU to control the device's operations. If there is an error when writing a command, it is likely an issue with the control register.

Question 10

You need to install a new sound card for a colleague's computer. Which of the following does NOT represent a typical method for installing the driver on a Windows system?

Accepted Answer

Programs and Features in Windows is used for uninstalling programs or changing program features, not for installing device drivers. Drivers are typically installed automatically by Plug and Play (PnP), through the Add a Device wizard, or manually via Device Manager.

Question 11

Which of the following is a goal of driver signing?

Accepted Answer

Driver signing aims to ensure the integrity and authenticity of a driver by verifying it has not been altered or tampered with, which helps in preventing malware.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a typical step in the process for installing new hardware on a macOS system?

Accepted Answer

Configuring dip switches is not a typical step in the process for installing new hardware on a macOS system. Dip switches are more commonly associated with older hardware or specific industrial equipment, not modern macOS-compatible devices.

Question 13

Which of the following is a good practice when you are installing a new device?

Accepted Answer

Checking for a new driver ensures compatibility and optimal performance with the new device, as manufacturers often update drivers to fix bugs or improve functionality.

Question 14

A Windows 10 user is having trouble with Zoom sessions. She tells you that she recently installed an updated webcam driver that she hoped would allow her to properly use Zoom backgrounds. However, ever since she updated the driver, her Zoom sessions frequently freeze and her video is very slow. What do you recommend that she do to get Zoom working again quickly?

Accepted Answer

Rolling back the webcam driver using Device Manager can quickly revert to the previous version that was working fine, potentially resolving the issues with Zoom sessions.

Question 15

All device drivers are built-in to the operating system and provided by the operating system vendor.

Accepted Answer

Device drivers are not all built-in to the operating system; many are provided by hardware manufacturers to ensure their devices work properly with the OS.

Question 16

You are about to install a new USB camera on your Linux system and you realize that there is no device special file available for your device. What command can you use on the system to create a new device special file?

Accepted Answer

The `mknod` command is used in Linux to create device special files. These files represent devices and are used by the system to interact with hardware components, such as a USB camera.

Question 17

Linux drivers may be delivered in an archive format called Stuffit.

Accepted Answer

Linux drivers are typically delivered in formats like .tar.gz or .deb, not Stuffit, which is more associated with macOS.

Question 18

A print spooler is a log file that maintains a history of print jobs.

Accepted Answer

A print spooler is a software program that manages the printing process by temporarily storing print jobs in the computer's memory until the printer is ready to print them.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a basic component of most I/O devices?

Accepted Answer

The address register is typically associated with the CPU and memory management, not specifically with I/O devices.

Question 20

A technician calls you and ask for some help installing an old printer. The printer is supposed to connect directly to the network but there is no place to plug in a network cable; there is only a USB port. What should you tell him?

Accepted Answer

A network printer interface can be used to connect the printer to the network via its USB port, allowing it to function as a network printer.

Quiz 6: Devices and Device Drivers