Question 1

What can occur in an operating system when a system error such as divide by zero happens?

Accepted Answer

A system error such as divide by zero can cause a Non-Maskable Interrupt (NMI), which is a hardware-generated interrupt that cannot be masked or ignored by the operating system.

Question 2

The code that exchanges information with hardware devices is referred to as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Device drivers are specifically designed to allow the operating system and software applications to interact with hardware components. They serve as a translator between the hardware and the software layers, enabling them to communicate effectively.

Question 3

A user, Tim, is sitting at a Windows 10 client computer running an application when he sees a message that another user is trying to access the computer remotely using RDP. The other user cannot access the computer until Tim signs out of Windows. What type of OS is the computer most likely running?

Accepted Answer

Windows 10, in its standard configurations (such as Home and Professional editions), is designed as a single-user operating system. This means that while it can run multiple applications simultaneously (multi-tasking), it is primarily intended for use by one user at a time. The scenario described, where another user cannot access the computer via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) until the current user signs out, is characteristic of a single-user OS environment. In contrast, server or multiuser operating systems are designed to allow multiple users to access and use the system concurrently.

Question 4

A user typed the name of a program at the command-line and pressed Enter. A user interface appeared on the screen. What function did the OS perform?

Accepted Answer

When a user types the name of a program at the command-line and presses Enter, the operating system starts a process for that program. This involves allocating memory and resources for the program to run, and then executing it.

Question 5

Which of the following is created by a device to get the CPU's attention when a device has input or output data that is ready to process?

Accepted Answer

An interrupt is a signal sent to the CPU by a device to indicate that it needs the CPU's attention, typically because it has input or output data ready to be processed. This mechanism allows the CPU to respond to events as they occur, rather than constantly checking (polling) the status of each device.

Question 6

Which of the following is a service most likely provided by a server OS?

Accepted Answer

A directory service is a network service that stores, organizes, and provides access to information in a directory, which is a common service provided by server operating systems.

Question 7

You have installed a new network adapter in a computer and rebooted the operating system. You go to check the settings of the network adapter, but you cannot find the device in Windows. What is the most likely problem?

Accepted Answer

The most likely problem when a newly installed network adapter is not visible in Windows is a bad or missing device driver. Device drivers are essential for the operating system to recognize and properly interact with hardware components.

Question 8

Which operating system role does Windows 10 most closely fit?

Accepted Answer

Windows 10 is primarily designed as a client operating system for end-users to access resources and services provided by server systems, making it most closely fit the client role.

Question 9

Which of the following accurately describes preemptive multitasking?

Accepted Answer

Preemptive multitasking is a method where the operating system decides which processes get CPU time and can interrupt them to allocate time to others, ensuring efficient CPU usage.

Question 10

Which type of computing device is designed to perform a specific task such as controlling a refrigerator, and has less than 64 KB of RAM?

Accepted Answer

Embedded systems are designed to perform specific tasks and often have limited resources, such as less than 64 KB of RAM, making them suitable for controlling devices like refrigerators.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a task performed by the computer's BIOS?

Accepted Answer

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is responsible for performing diagnostic tests, starting the bootloader, and initializing I/O devices when the computer is turned on. However, managing random access memory (RAM) is not a task performed by the BIOS; this is handled by the operating system once the system has booted up.

Question 12

You are testing out a new multitasking operating system. In your testing, you find that some applications are not getting sufficient CPU time while other applications are getting more than enough CPU time. Which component is responsible for determining how much CPU time each application gets?

Accepted Answer

The kernel is responsible for managing system resources, including CPU time allocation among applications, ensuring that each application gets the necessary CPU time to function properly.

Question 13

If you need to change specific parameters controlling the way your computer boots, which of the following components would you configure?

Accepted Answer

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is responsible for booting up a computer and initializing hardware during the startup process, making it the component you would configure to change specific parameters controlling the way your computer boots.

Question 14

You want to terminate a process on a Linux computer using the kill PID command where PID is the process ID and you don't know the process ID. Which command do you need to run first?

Accepted Answer

The "ps" command is used to list running processes on a Linux system, which can help you find the process ID (PID) of the process you want to terminate.

Question 15

A computer has an operating system installed that is running a directory service and is configured to run without a GUI. What type of OS is most likely installed on the computer?

Accepted Answer

Server operating systems often run without a graphical user interface (GUI) to optimize system resources for server tasks, such as running directory services.

Question 16

Which OS feature prevents accidental unauthorized access to memory by a program?

Accepted Answer

Security and resource protection features in an operating system are specifically designed to prevent unauthorized access to memory by a program, ensuring that each program and user can only access the memory spaces for which they have permissions.

Question 17

Which of the following does NOT require a device driver to be installed in the OS?

Accepted Answer

Installing additional RAM does not require a device driver to be installed in the operating system. Device drivers are needed for the OS to communicate with hardware devices like DVD drives, monitors, and printers, but RAM is directly accessed by the CPU and does not require a driver.

Question 18

When a user clicks the X in a window to close an application, which OS feature is invoked?

Accepted Answer

When a user clicks the X in a window to close an application, the OS's process and service management feature is invoked to terminate the application and free up any resources it was using.

Question 19

Which of the following is a program in firmware that locates and loads the bootloader program?

Accepted Answer

The bootstrap program is a firmware program that locates and loads the bootloader program to start the boot process of a computer.

Question 20

You are listening to music on an old smartphone and you switch to the web browser app which causes your music to stop playing. What type of OS is most likely installed on the smartphone?

Accepted Answer

The smartphone is likely using a single-tasking operating system if switching to the web browser app causes the music to stop playing, as this indicates it can only handle one task at a time.

Quiz 1: Operating Systems Fundamentals