Free Hardware and Software MCQs with Answers

290 Hardware and Software MCQs from Computer Science and IT, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

Hardware includes the physical components of a computer, such as the CPU, motherboard, registers, memory, storage devices and peripheral equipment. Software covers system software, application software, utilities, drivers and firmware, with attention to how the operating system manages hardware and how software differs from the physical equipment it controls.

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290 questions · page 2 of 15

Moderate
  • A. 10 cm
  • B. 11 cm
  • C. 12 cm
  • D. None of these

Explanation: A standard compact disc has a diameter of 12 cm, or approximately 4.7 inches.

Correct answer: 12 cm
Fairly easy
  • A. Application Software
  • B. System Software
  • C. Utility Software
  • D. None of Above

Explanation: A printer driver is system software because it enables the operating system to communicate with and control printer hardware.

Correct answer: System Software
Moderate
  • A. File history
  • B. Time Machine
  • C. File backup
  • D. None of above

Explanation: Time Machine is macOS's built-in backup and recovery feature, allowing users to save versions of files and restore them later.

Correct answer: Time Machine
Hard
  • A. False positive
  • B. Data storage
  • C. Virus scanning
  • D. Virus removing

Explanation: Heuristic checking is a method used by antivirus software to identify suspicious or previously unknown malware based on behavior or…

Correct answer: Virus scanning
Hard
  • A. EEPROM
  • B. CMOS chip
  • C. Memory
  • D. OS

Explanation: Traditional PCs store BIOS configuration settings in battery-backed CMOS memory, commonly called the CMOS chip.

Correct answer: CMOS chip
Fairly easy
  • A. flash
  • B. nonvolatile
  • C. nonpermanent
  • D. temporary

Explanation: Hard disk drives retain data when power is removed, so they are nonvolatile storage.

Correct answer: nonvolatile
Moderate
  • A. Application Software
  • B. Utility Programme
  • C. System software
  • D. Productivity software

Explanation: Device drivers are system software that allow the operating system to communicate with and control hardware devices.

Correct answer: System software
Easy
  • A. CPU
  • B. Motherboard
  • C. RAM
  • D. BIOS

Explanation: The CPU performs arithmetic, logical and control operations, so it is the component that carries out computing in a personal computer.

Correct answer: CPU
Moderate
  • A. Redundant Array of Independent Disks
  • B. Redundant Array of Independent Device
  • C. Redundant Array of Independent Division
  • D. None of these

Explanation: RAID means Redundant Array of Independent Disks, a method of combining multiple disks for improved performance, fault tolerance or both.

Correct answer: Redundant Array of Independent Disks
Fairly easy
  • A. VDU
  • B. TV
  • C. Printer
  • D. Light pen

Explanation: A light pen is an input device that lets the user select or draw directly on a compatible display.

Correct answer: Light pen
Hard
  • A. Mouse
  • B. Keyboard
  • C. Printer
  • D. Light Pen

Explanation: Traditional printers commonly used parallel transmission, sending several bits simultaneously over separate lines.

Correct answer: Printer
Fairly easy
  • A. Douglas Engelbart
  • B. Ada Lovelace
  • C. Charles Babbage
  • D. None of these

Explanation: Douglas Engelbart invented the first computer mouse prototype in the 1960s.

Correct answer: Douglas Engelbart
Hard
  • A. 1979
  • B. 1981
  • C. 1982
  • D. 1984Spreadsheet Software

Explanation: IBM introduced the IBM PC in 1981, using Intel's 16-bit 8088 microprocessor.

Correct answer: 1981
Fairly easy
  • A. Circuit
  • B. Whole
  • C. Port
  • D. None of these

Explanation: A port is a physical connection point used to attach peripherals such as keyboards, printers, displays, and external drives.

Correct answer: Port
Very hard
  • A. BIOS
  • B. ROM
  • C. Loader
  • D. Processor

Explanation: A loader is system software that loads the operating system or programs into main memory so they can run.

Correct answer: Loader
Easy
  • A. Processing
  • B. Installation
  • C. Booting
  • D. None of these

Explanation: Booting is the process of loading the operating system into memory when a computer starts or restarts.

Correct answer: Booting
Hard
  • A. Male Connector
  • B. Female Connector
  • C. Joint Connector
  • D. None of these

Explanation: The traditional parallel port on a computer is a female connector, while the cable plug is normally male.

Correct answer: Female Connector
Very hard
  • A. Swap
  • B. Spawn
  • C. Increment
  • D. Swarm

Explanation: A worm can replicate by spawning new copies of itself, often without attaching to another file.

Correct answer: Spawn
Moderate
  • A. Double sided RIMM
  • B. Double data rate
  • C. Digital data rate
  • D. Dynamic data rate

Explanation: DDR means Double Data Rate because the memory transfers data on both clock edges, increasing the transfer rate without doubling the clock…

Correct answer: Double data rate
Very hard
  • A. 240
  • B. 128
  • C. 195
  • D. 228Fun & Trivia

Explanation: A standard desktop DDR3 DIMM has 240 pins. Laptop DDR3 SO-DIMMs use a different package and pin count, but that distinction is not…

Correct answer: 240