Jean Clowie P.

Jumag
ABCOMM1 \
Living in the I.T Era

2.1.3 RESEARCH 2

1. What does the CPU do in a computer?

- The CPU (Central Processing Unit) in a computer performs calculations and executes
instructions for running programs, making it the "brain" of the computer.

2. If a computer has a multicore processor, what can the operating system do to improve
performance? How does this technique work?
- The operating system can improve performance on a multicore processor by running tasks
and programs on multiple cores simultaneously, which is called parallel processing. This
technique works by dividing tasks into smaller parts and assigning them to different CPU
cores, allowing the computer to perform tasks more efficiently and quickly.

3. If a computer has a single processor, what two techniques can the operating system use to improve
performance? How do these techniques work?
- Time Slicing (Multitasking): The operating system switches between running programs in
quick succession, giving the appearance of simultaneous execution.

- Priority Scheduling: The OS assigns different priorities to tasks, allowing critical tasks to be
processed ahead of less important ones.

4. Describe thrashing and how it affects a computer.

- Thrashing is when a computer becomes extremely slow and unresponsive because it's
constantly swapping data between RAM and disk due to excessive demand for memory,
severely impacting performance.

5. What are the operations in the machine cycle? What happens during each operation as the CPU
processes instructions and data?
- The machine cycle consists of four operations: Fetch, Decode, Execute, and Store. During
Fetch, the CPU retrieves an instruction from memory. In Decode, it interprets the instruction.
Execute performs the operation, and Store writes the result back to memory if necessary.

6. What is an example of an application feature designed for particular hardware?

- An example of an application feature designed for particular hardware in a computer is a
video editing software that utilizes the capabilities of a dedicated graphics card (GPU) for
real-time video rendering and acceleration, resulting in faster and more efficient video
processing.
7. What is an automatic update and when should you use it?
- An automatic update is a software feature that periodically checks for and installs the latest
software patches, bug fixes, and security updates without user intervention. You should use it
to keep your software and operating system up-to-date to ensure security, performance, and
compatibility with the latest features.

8. How can you download and install optional Windows updates?

To download and install optional Windows updates, follow these steps:

- Open Windows Update Settings**:

- Press the Windows key.
- Type "Windows Update" and press Enter.

- Check for Updates**:

- In the Windows Update Settings window, click on "Check for updates." Windows will search for
available updates.

- View Optional Updates**:

- After the search is complete, scroll down to the "Optional updates" section. Here, you'll see
various categories of optional updates, such as driver updates, feature updates, and more.

- Select Optional Updates**:

- Click on the category you're interested in to expand it.
- Check the box next to the optional updates you want to install.

- Install Selected Updates**:

- Click the "Download and install" button to start downloading and installing the selected optional
updates.

- Follow On-Screen Instructions**:

- Windows will guide you through the installation process. Follow any on-screen prompts or
instructions.

. - Restart (if necessary)**:

- Some updates may require a restart to complete the installation. If prompted, save your work and
restart your computer.
That's it. You have now downloaded and installed optional Windows updates.

9. What could you do on a Windows computer to determine whether an application was affecting
system performance?
 - You can use Task Manager on a Windows computer to see if an application is affecting
system performance by checking its CPU and memory usage.

10. Give two reasons you should be aware of your computer’s system components and their
characteristics.
- Performance Optimization: Knowing your computer's components helps you optimize its
performance by identifying bottlenecks and upgrading where needed.

- Compatibility: It ensures that software and hardware you install are compatible, reducing
potential conflicts and issues.