Answer each of the following questions in a complete, well thought-out paragraph or two. (each answer is worth 20 points.)

1. What does fragmented mean in reference to hard drives, and what, if anything, should be done to prevent it.

2. Describe the general path data takes in an application from user input to the computer hardware.

3. Explain why selecting a file system for the hard drive is very important when installing and using windows NT.

Part B: Answer each of the following questions in two or three sentences. (each answer is worth four points.)

1. Briefly define ActiveX and COM, and explain their importance to the Windows 9x/ME GUI.
2. Why does the Mac OS family handle graphics and graphical applications so well.
3. Explain how imaging is used on a Windows 2000 machine.
4. Define and describe briefly the term malware.
5. Describe what tuning means, and briefly explain some simple ways a technician can "tune" a system.
6. Briefly explain the importance of multitasking in Windows.
7. Describe the difference between workgroup and an NT domain.
8. What does "WHQL stand for, and why should a PC repair technician be familiar with the concept?
9. Explain what tools a Mac technician is most likely to use for troubleshooting and how they might differ from a Windows technician's tools.
10. Explain the difference between backing up the system state ( Windows 2000) and setting a system restore point (Windows XP)