Hardware Interview Questions and Answers

Answer - 1 : - Installing memory, or RAM, is a great way to improve the performance of your computer. However, there are many types of RAM, and it is important to install the correct RAM when updating your computer's memory. For example, not all 1GB RAM memory modules are the same. Some may run at 400MHz, while others may run at 667MHz. A 1GB SDRAM chip may have 168 pins, while a SO-DIMM may only have 144. These and other differences can cause RAM to not work with your machine. If you install the incorrect RAM in your machine, one of two things will happen. 1) The computer will boot up but will not recognize the new memory, or 2) The computer will not boot up at all. If you remove the new RAM and the computer boots up fine, it is pretty clear that the RAM is causing the problem. While RAM chips can be defective, memory problems are usually caused by installing the wrong type of RAM. You can verify the RAM type using your computer's user guide or by searching for your computer model on websites that sell memory. When buying RAM, it is also a good idea to make sure it has a lifetime warranty. That way, if the RAM is bad or ever has problems, you can get it replaced free of charge.  

Answer - 2 : - Intel and AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) are the two major manufacturers of processors for PCs. Intel makes the Pentium and Celeron processors; AMD makes the K6 and Athlon processors. So what's the difference? Well, historically, Pentium processors have had the best overall performance. However, the new AMD processors are faster than their Pentium counterparts in some tests. In general, you'll pay the most for an Intel processor, which means the AMD processors typically have a better price-performance ratio.

Answer - 3 : - First of all, make sure you have the latest driver software for your video card. To get the latest version, you can go to the video card company's web site and download the driver update for free. I would suggest defragmenting the hard drive, since excessive hard disk scanning can prevent smooth audio and video playback. If neither of these options do the trick, try upgrading to the latest version of the software you are using to play the movies. Finally, if that doesn't work, you might just not have enough hardware power to play the video smoothly. That means you need to actually go buy a new video card if you want smooth, high-quality video. Doh.

Answer - 4 : - AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) cards serve the same purpose as PCI graphics cards. However, the AGP interface, which was created by our buddies at Intel, has become the more popular choice for PCs. Part of the reason for this is that AGP cards manage memory better than PCI cards. The AGP interface can actually use your computer's standard memory as well as the video memory to help boost video performance. So, if you have an AGP slot in your computer, I'd go with an AGP card. If you only have PCI slots, however, a PCI graphics card isn't going to be much different.

Answer - 5 : - Unfortunately, you can't increase the number of PCI slots inside your computer. The only option you have, other than buying another computer, is to get a PCI tower, which has multiple PCI slots. The tower connects to any PCI slot on your computer's motherboard. (For example, it could turn one slot into six.) However, these are typically only used by people that do high-end video editing, and they are pretty expensive.

Answer - 6 : - "Ripping" refers to extracting audio files off a CD and copying them to your hard drive. After ripping the audio, you can then convert the files to the more compressed MP3 format if you want. "Burning" refers to the process of writing data onto a CD. You can burn both audio and data CDs, as well as DVDs, provided your computer has a CD/DVD burner.

Answer - 7 : - Installing memory, or RAM, is a great way to improve the performance of your computer. However, there are many types of RAM, and it is important to install the correct RAM when updating your computer's memory. For example, not all 1GB RAM memory modules are the same. Some may run at 400MHz, while others may run at 667MHz. A 1GB SDRAM chip may have 168 pins, while a SO-DIMM may only have 144. These and other differences can cause RAM to not work with your machine. If you install the incorrect RAM in your machine, one of two things will happen. 1) The computer will boot up but will not recognize the new memory, or 2) The computer will not boot up at all. If you remove the new RAM and the computer boots up fine, it is pretty clear that the RAM is causing the problem. While RAM chips can be defective, memory problems are usually caused by installing the wrong type of RAM. You can verify the RAM type using your computer's user guide or by searching for your computer model on websites that sell memory. When buying RAM, it is also a good idea to make sure it has a lifetime warranty. That way, if the RAM is bad or ever has problems, you can get it replaced free of charge.

Answer - 8 : - Power cycling an electronic device is a technical way of saying "resetting" it. When you power cycle a device, you turn it off and then turn it back on again. Pretty high-tech, huh? Usually, you should let the device sit for a couple seconds after turning it off to make sure the memory in the device is fully cleared before turning it back on. Any electronic device can be power cycled, but the term is frequently used with cable modems, DSL modems, and routers. This is because small internal errors in these devices can prevent them from functioning correctly. Resetting them typically fixes the errors and allows them to work correctly again.

Answer - 9 : - If the drive only says "CD-ROM" or "DVD-ROM" then it probably does not burn CDs or DVDs. If it says CD-R, then it can burn recordable CDs and if it says CD-RW, it can write and rewrite to rewritable CDs. If the drive says DVD-R or DVD+R, it can burn DVD-R or DVD+R discs. If it says DVD-RW or DVD+RW, then it can burn rewritable DVDs. Drives that can burn CDs and read DVDs are often referred to as "Combo Drives" by many PC manufacturers. Apple Computer uses the term "SuperDrive" to refer to drives that can read and write to both CDs and DVDs.

Answer - 10 : - DVD-R (pronounced "DVD dash R") and DVD+R (pronounced "DVD plus R") are nearly identical formats. The discs look the same and are both supported by most DVD-ROM drives and DVD burners. The only difference between the formats is the way they determine the location of the laser beam on the disc. DVD-R discs use tiny marks along the grooves in the discs, called land prepits, to determine the laser position. DVD+R discs do not have land prepits, but instead measure the "wobble frequency" as the laser moves toward the outside of the disc. The DVD-R format was developed by Pioneer and was released in the second half of 1997. DVD+R was developed by Sony and Philips and was introduced in 2002. Companies that support DVD-R include Pioneer, Toshiba, Hitachi, and Panasonic, while companies that support DVD+R include Sony, Philips, Hewlett-Packard, Ricoh, and Yamaha. However, most of these companies now develop hybrid DVD drives that support both DVD-R and DVD+R formats. They are known as DVD?R or DVD?RW drives. When looking for media for your DVD drive, make sure it ends in "-R" if you have a DVD-R drive or "+R" if you have a DVD+R drive. If you have a DVD?R drive, you can use either format. DVD-R is still more popular than DVD+R, but since they are both widely supported, it should not matter which format you choose.