2.2Using Built-in Diagnostic Tools

Practice this topic

Short questions

1. 1.Write one key function of the Resource Monitor.2 marks

   Answer

   Resource Monitor is an advanced system tool in Microsoft Windows that gives a deeper view of how your computer's resources (memory, CPU, and disk) are being used. For example, its CPU Tab shows which processes and services are using the processor.

2. 2.What is Task Manager?2 marks

   Answer

   Task Manager is a built-in tool in Microsoft Windows that helps users to monitor the performance of their computers. It shows real-time information about how the system's processor (CPU), memory (RAM), and storage (disk) are being used.

3. 3.Write the two ways to open Task Manager.2 marks

   Answer

   1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc shortcut key from the keyboard.
   2. Or right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager from the menu.
4. 4.What can you do with Task Manager?4 marks

   Answer

   Task Manager is helpful when your computer is slow, or an application stops responding. It allows you to:

   1. See how much processing power and memory are being used by each program.
   2. Select a program from the processes tab of task manager and click End Task to close it if it is not working properly.
   3. View programs running silently in the background.
   4. See real-time graphs and data on the performance tab showing how your computer is performing.
5. 5.How is Resource Monitor different from Task Manager?3 marks

   Answer

   While Task Manager gives a quick overview, Resource Monitor provides more detailed information about which programs and background services are using system resources. It is especially helpful when the system is running slowly, overheating, or using a lot of memory without any clear reason.

6. 6.Write the two common ways to open Resource Monitor.2 marks

   Answer

   1. Open Task Manager, go to the Performance tab, and click on Open Resource Monitor at the bottom.
   2. Or press the shortcut key Windows + R, type the command resmon in the dialog box that appears, and press Enter.
7. 7.List the key features (tabs) of Resource Monitor.4 marks

   Answer

   1. CPU Tab: Shows which processes and services are using the processor.
   2. Memory Tab: Displays how much memory is used, free, or reserved.
   3. Disk Tab: Monitors which programs are reading from or writing to the hard drive.
   4. Network Tab: Shows which applications are sending or receiving data over the internet or network.
8. 8.What is Event Viewer? How do you open it?3 marks

   Answer

   Event Viewer is also a built-in Windows tool that records detailed logs of system activities. It helps users check for errors, warnings, and important events related to software, hardware, and security. To open it, press the shortcut key Windows + R, type the command eventvwr in the dialog box that appears, and press Enter.

Long questions

1. 1.Explain the roles of Task Manager and Event Viewer in system maintenance. Give one example for each tool where it can help solve a problem.8 marks

   Answer

   Cover both tools, each with its role and one example taken from the book text:

   1. Task Manager (verbatim role): "Task Manager is a built-in tool in Microsoft Windows that helps users to monitor the performance of their computers. It shows real-time information about how the system's processor (CPU), memory (RAM), and storage (disk) are being used." Two tabs: "The Processes tab of the task manager shows all active programs and how much system resources they are using, while the Performance tab displays detailed graphs for CPU, memory, disk, and network usage." Example from the book: "Task Manager is helpful when your computer is slow, or an application stops responding." Select the program from the processes tab "and click End Task to close it if it is not working properly".

   2. Event Viewer (verbatim role): "Event Viewer is also a built-in Windows tool that records detailed logs of system activities. It helps users check for errors, warnings, and important events related to software, hardware, and security." Example (the book gives no worked example for Event Viewer, so build it only from its text): when there are problems with software, hardware or security, open Event Viewer (Windows + R, type eventvwr, press Enter) and check the errors and warnings it has recorded.

   3. Closing line: "Each of these tools plays a different role in resolving system health and performance-related issues."

   Aim for 200-300 words.

2. 2.What is Resource Monitor? Explain when it is helpful, the two ways to open it, and its key features.10 marks

   Answer

   Cover four parts:

   1. Definition (verbatim): "Resource Monitor is an advanced system tool in Microsoft Windows that gives a deeper view of how your computer's resources (memory, CPU, and disk) are being used." Compare: "While Task Manager gives a quick overview, Resource Monitor provides more detailed information about which programs and background services are using system resources."

   2. When it is helpful (verbatim): "It is especially helpful when the system is running slowly, overheating, or using a lot of memory without any clear reason."

   3. How to open it (two ways):

      • "Open Task Manager, go to the Performance tab, and click on Open Resource Monitor at the bottom."
      • "Or press the shortcut key Windows + R, type the command resmon in the dialog box that appears, and press Enter (see Figure 2.2)."

   4. Key features (verbatim):

      • CPU Tab: "Shows which processes and services are using the processor."
      • Memory Tab: "Displays how much memory is used, free, or reserved."
      • Disk Tab: "Monitors which programs are reading from or writing to the hard drive."
      • Network Tab: "Shows which applications are sending or receiving data over the internet or network."

   Note: the book's Resource Monitor paragraph says "as shown in Figure 2.1", but the Resource Monitor screenshot is Figure 2.2. Refer to Figure 2.2.

   Aim for 250-350 words.

3. 3.Name the three built-in diagnostic tools of Microsoft Windows introduced in the book. Write what each tool does and how to open it.8 marks

   Answer

   Start with the book's purpose line: these tools "give useful information about the computer's current state and help identify problems related to memory, storage, processing power, and system errors."

   1. Task Manager: "helps users to monitor the performance of their computers". Open it: "Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc shortcut key from the keyboard" or "right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager from the menu".

   2. Resource Monitor: "gives a deeper view of how your computer's resources (memory, CPU, and disk) are being used". Open it: from Task Manager's Performance tab ("click on Open Resource Monitor at the bottom"), or Windows + R, type "resmon", press Enter.

   3. Event Viewer: "records detailed logs of system activities" and "helps users check for errors, warnings, and important events related to software, hardware, and security". Open it: Windows + R, type "eventvwr", press Enter.

   A small table (Tool / What it does / How to open) is a neat way to present the answer.

   Aim for 200-250 words.