CPU as the Central Processing Unit of the Personal Computer - Assignment Example

Random Access Memory (RAM) is the other hardware which must also be checked to make sure it has sufficient amount of memory available for CPU in order to execute its commands. However if processor is replaced with a faster processor it will change the number of operations it can perform in a second. A processor having 1 GHz of speed will be able to make 1000 clock cycles in a second. Every command which user executes require specific number of clock cycles for the execution of work, and by increasing the speed of processor will optimize the execution which will make a particular CPU more efficient and will complete assigned tasks faster as it can (Torres, 2012). 2. Discuss disk fragmentation.

Include performance, what causes it and how to fix it. There is another performance issue which is greatly overlooked is known as Disk Fragmentation which is occurred with the passage of time and usage of the system’s disk. On a newly formatted disk files and programs run faster and quicker but as time passes by it starts taking time to load large data files into the memory. Causes of Fragmentation: Disk fragmentation start taking place when the disk file system cannot find adequate amount of contiguous space for storing a complete file as a complete unit, but as an alternative it break a particular file in parts and then stores those parts in free gaps between other files.

These gaps are caused due to a previously existing file which must have been deleted or altered or moved to another location (May, 2012). Countermeasures Partitioning: It is regarded as a common approach to optimize defragmentation in which the hard disk is separated into partitions. The partitions are created into sections of read and writes which allows volatile zones to remain separate (Hameed, 2008). Offline defragmentation: This process involves the existence of immovable system files which is also termed as a swap file can hinder the process of defragmentation.

These files can be securely moved when the operating system is not in the working state. 3. List and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of multitasking Operating systems. Multitasking operating systems has the ability to run multiple programs to execute at a time. They are also capable of managing preemptive multitasking in which the OS allocates specified time to the applications running on the computer. Here are the advantages of Multitask OS: A multi-task OS can manage various processes simultaneously by sharing CPU time among the processes.

Switches between operations are so frequent that user can easily interact with every running program. Multitask OS increases user productivity and allows easy transferring of data. This functionality also increases CPU utilization which allows processor to work smoothly on threads (bizymoms.com, 2011). Here are some of the disadvantages of Multitask OS: For a new user multitask OS will create a sense of confusion and he/she will get lost while working. In some cases it happens that the processing power and performance of the system is affected which slows down the CPU speed (May, 2012). PART 2 1. Can computer programs be developed with zero defects?

Explain with supporting facts. Yes computer programs can be developed with zero defects but this state is very difficult to achieve. When the software or program starts increasing in size and complexity it becomes difficult to locate defects in the programs.