Few Days ago I went for one Tech process interview and got these questions from my friend. It helped about 80%, please check if it can help you or not.

What is BIOS? Basic input/output system of your computer, commonly known as the BIOS (pronounced "bye-ose"). On virtually every computer available, the BIOS makes sure all the other chips, hard drives, ports and CPU function together. BIOS is a firmware.

Firmaware a firmware is a computer program which acts as an interface between SOFTWARE & the HARDWARE. (INTER MEDIATOR)

Phishing Filter: - A new feature of IE 7 which warns you and help protect your personal information from fraudulent websites.

POST Power-on self-test (POST) is the common term for a computer’s pre-boot sequence. It checks whether all the hardware devices are working OK

SD RAM and DDR RAM DDR SDRAM (double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory) is a class of memory used in computers. It achieves nearly twice the bandwidth of the preceding [single data rate RAM]
The latest is DDR-2

BOOTING
Hard reboot
A hard reboot (also known as a cold reboot, cold boot or cold start) is when power to a computer is cycled (turned off and then on)
Soft reboot
A soft reboot (also known as a warm reboot) is restarting a computer under software control, without removing power or (directly) triggering a reset line.

Virtual Memory Virtual memory: For example, if you load the operating system, an e-mail program, a Web browser and word processor into RAM simultaneously, 32 MB is not enough to hold it all. If there were no such thing as virtual memory, then once you filled up the available RAM your computer would have to say, "Sorry, you can not load any more applications. Please close another application to load a new one."

VIRUS: A program that would invade the computer & would cause serious damage to the system (might lead to data loss, corrupt programs & system crash)
SPY-WARE is software which would hack into a user’s confidential information like Credit Card details, passwords, Bank Account details, etc.
ADWARE or advertising-supported software is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the application is being used.
MALWARE, also known as Malicious Software, is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system.

WHAT IS A TROJAN?In the context of computing and software, a Trojan horse, also known as a trojan, is malware that appears to perform a desirable function but in fact performs undisclosed malicious functions

Types of Internet Connections
NARROWBAND (DIALUP) | BROADBAND (ADSL & DSL) | ISDN |GPRS | SATELLITE

WEB-BROWSERS APART FROM INTERNET EXPLORER
GOOGLE CHROME | NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR | OPERA | FLOCK | MOZILLA FIREFOX | SAFARI (MACINTOSH)

DIFFERENCEBETWEEN HUB, SWITCH AND ROUTER
A router is a more sophisticated network device than either a switch or a hub.
A switch is used in a wired network to connect Ethernet cables from a number of devices together. The switch allows each device to talk to the others. (Switches aren't used in networks with only wireless connections, since network devices such as routers and adapters communicate directly with one another, with nothing in between.)

MSCONFIG
A tool used to stop unwanted programs to automatically start during the startup.

1. Click Start, click Run, type "msconfig" (without the quotation marks), and then click OK.
2. Click the Startup tab.

FEATURES OF WINDOWS VISTA
·Bitlocker is one of the features in Windows which protects your computer from hackers
·It has a tool known as defender tool which protects your computer from viruses
·It has IE 7.0 already installed in it
·Phishing filter is also available in Vista as one of the features .its main work is to protect us from visiting black listed file
·Parental control is also there in vista

WINDOWS COMMON PROBLEMS
Windows Restarts Continuously with Blue Screen
•A fatal system error (STOP error) causes the computer to stop.
•The Automatically Reboot option is enabled under Recovery on the Startup/Shutdown tab in the System properties.


Switch Mode Power Suply A switched/switching -mode power supply or SMPS, is an electronic power supply unit (PSU) that incorporates a switching regulator.
Device Drivers In computing, a device driver or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a hardware device.

PCI The Peripheral Component Interconnect, or PCI Standard (commonly PCI), specifies a computer bus for attaching peripheral devices to a computer motherboard. Typical PCI cards used in PCs include: network cards, sound cards, modems, extra ports such as USB or serial, TV tuner cards and disk controllers.

Safe Mode Safe mode typically provides access to utility and diagnostic programs so a user can troubleshoot what is preventing the operating system from working normally. Safe mode is intended for maintenance, not functionality, and provides minimal access to features which often frustrates users who are only aware that their computer "isn't working right".Microsoft Windows' safe mode is accessed by repeatedly pressing the F8 key as the operating system boots.
IN SAFE MODE, THE USB AND ETHERNET PORTS DO NOT FUNCTION.
THERE IS AN OPTION CALLED “SAFE MODE WITH NETWORKING” IN WHICH WE CAN USE THE ETHERNET PORT.

Changes IE 7.0 Version 7 is intended to defend users from phishing as well as deceptive or malicious software, and it also features full user control of ActiveX and better security framework, including not being integrated as much with Windows as previous versions, thereby increasing security. It also includes bug fixes, enhancements to its support for web standards, tabbed browsing with tab preview and management, a multiple-engine search box, a web feeds reader, Internationalized Domain Name support (IDN), and anti phishing filter.
On Windows Vista, Internet Explorer operates in a special "Protected Mode", that runs the browser in a security sandbox that has no access to the rest of the operating system or file system, except the Temporary Internet Files folder.

DNS, DHCP, IP ADDRESS
DNS The Domain Name System (DNS) associates various information with domain names; most importantly, it serves as the "phone book" for the Internet by translating human-readable computer host names, e.g. www.example.com, into IP addresses, e.g. 208.77.188.166, which networking equipment needs to deliver information. A DNS also stores other information such as the list of mail servers that accept email for a given domain.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a protocol used by networked devices (clients) to obtain the parameters necessary for operation in an Internet Protocol network. This protocol reduces system administration workload, allowing devices to be added to the network with little or no manual configuration.

BATCH FILES
In DOS, OS/2, and Microsoft Windows, a batch file is a text file containing a series of commands intended to be executed by the command interpreter. When a batch file is run, the shell program (usually COMMAND.COM or cmd.exe) reads the file and executes its commands, normally line-by-line. Batch files are useful for running a sequence of executable automatically.

WINDOWS XP SERVICE PACK (INSTALLATION AND UNINSTALLATION)
Use the “Add/Remove Programs” option from the Control Panel
Use the Windows XP Installation disk

UNINSTALLATION OF IE 7.0
Use "Add or Remove Programs" to uninstall Internet Explorer 7
RUN COMMAND: - %windir%\ie7\spuninst\spuninst.exe

VARIANTS OF MACINTOSH
OS 8 | OS 9 | OS 10 OR OS X | OS X 10.1 – PUMA | OS X 10.2 – JAGUAR |OS X 10.3 – PANTHER | OS X 10.4 – TIGER |
OS X 10.5 – LEOPARD | OS X 10.6 – SNOW LEOPARD

VARIANTS OF WINDOWS VISTA
HOME BASIC | HOME PREMIUM | BUSINESS | ENTERPRISE | ULTIMATE

What is a paging file?
Ans: The paging file is very closely related to the physical RAM installed in the computer. Its purpose is to extend the amount of physical RAM and make it available to the system. Both services and installed applications can benefit from this 'extra' RAM, even though it is substantially different from the sticks that plug into the motherboard. A file used to store unneeded pages of memory.

What is Static IP?
Static IP is an IP address which entered manually to computer using Control Panel –> Network Connections –> Local Area Network [Right Click] -> properties –> Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) –> properties and the assigning the IP address this IP Address will remain the same unless you change it.

What is dynamic IP?
The temporary IP address is called a dynamic IP address. Requesting DHCP computers receive a dynamic IP address (think of it as a temporary phone number) for the duration of that Internet session or for some other specified amount of time. Once the user disconnects from the Internet, their dynamic IP address goes back into the IP address pool so it can be assigned to another user. Even if the user reconnects immediately, odds are they will not be assigned the same IP address from the pool.

How to scan in safe mode .if we don’t have any option like my computer, no options available .Only task memory available.
Go to file –run a new task –name of the software like .exe file ---& we will be able to scan in safe mode.

Can we go on X-box line with hub & with a router?
A hub and switch are two devices that split the bandwidth coming from any Ethernet device that is connected to them they will not route communications from your LAN to the internet. All they do is split the bandwidth so your modem can see all of the MAC addresses connected to it so it will only give a connection to one of those devices.

What is the clock timing of dual core?
1.6 GHz --- 2.66 GHz

What is the Path to save a file on the desktop?
C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Desktop

Apart From F8 how to reach safe mode?
If you only want to enter Safe Mode occasionally and have trouble using the F8 key, you can use the System Configuration Utility (msconfig). Go to Start -- Run and enter “msconfig” (without quotes). When the utility opens, click on the tab BOOT.INI ---------START-Run-enter Msconfig—BOOT.INI--Select--safe boot under BOOT OPTIONS

If we restore the system the pictures saved in my computer do they come back?
No

How to uninstall I.E 6 if we don’t have Add & Remove program option with us?
In XP it can not be removed since IE 6 is the basic version in 9X we can do from Installation CD.

What is add & remove Program in Vista called?
Add & Remove in vista is called Programs and Features.

IDE – Integrated Drive Electronics.

How to create a master & a slave drive?
It is done by changing the jumper settings different manufacturers have different jumper setting are usually available on drive it self. We just need to follow the diagram to change from master to slave and vice versa.
The only practical difference between master and slave is that the PC considers the master "first" and the slave "second" in general terms. For example, DOS/Windows will assign drive letters to the master drive before the slave drive.

If in x-box there is a connection timed-out .How to resolve this problem?
A connect or send request failed because the connected party did not properly respond after a period of time.
Solution:

1. Check that the destination IP address is valid. If you used a hostname, check that it resolves to the correct address.
2. If using a local host table for hostname resolution, check to see that it does not resolve to an obsolete address.
3. Try to ping the hostname.
4. Check the router configuration and that its working properly. Check that the router is working by pinging it, then ping an address outside of the router.
5. Use the tracert command at the command prompt to determine the path to the destination address and to check that all the routers are functioning.
6. Check your subnet mask. If you do not have the correct subnet mask, your network system might treat a local address as a remote address (so it forwards addresses on the local subnet to the router, rather than broadcasting an ARP request locally), or vice versa.
7. Increase the connection timeout threshold under Favorite Properties > Connection: from the SmartFTP Favorites window select the Favorite of interest. Right click on the Favorite and select Properties. The Properties dialog appears. Select the Connection option where server timeout settings can be changed.

What is a gateway?
A gateway is a network point that acts as an entrance to another network. On the Internet, a node or stopping point can be either a gateway node or a host (end-point) node. Both the computers of Internet users and the computers that serve pages to users are host nodes. The computers that control traffic within your company's network or at your local Internet service provider (ISP) are gateway nodes.

What is APIPA?
A feature of Windows, APIPA is a DHCP failover mechanism. With APIPA, DHCP clients can obtain IP addresses when DHCP servers are non-functional. APIPA exists in all popular versions of Windows except Windows NT
It can generate IP Addresses in the range 169.254.0.1 to 169.255.255.254

What is RAID?
RAID — which stands for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks or alternatively Redundant Array of Independent Disks— is a technology that employs the simultaneous use of two or more hard disk drives to achieve greater levels of performance, reliability, and/or larger data volume sizes

What is the memory of Xbox?
1 GB

What is the Difference between Core 2 Duo & Dual Core?
The main difference is that core duo is 32-bit processor, where as Core 2 Duo is 64-it processor, also for Core 2 Duo, the cache memory is 4MB compared to 2MB of Core Duo.

What is System Restore and What are the steps involved?
System Restore is a component of Microsoft's Windows Me, Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems that allows for the rolling back of system files, registry keys, installed programs, etc., to a previous state in the event of malfunctioning or failure

Steps involved are Start—All Programs—Accessories –System Tools—System Restore—Restore Computer

What are the devices that are checked in post?
Motherboard, RAM, CPU

What is virtual private network (VPN)?
A virtual private network (VPN) is a computer network in which some of the links between nodes are carried by open connections or virtual circuits in some larger network (e.g., the Internet) instead of by physical wires. The link-layer protocols of the virtual network are said to be tunneled through the larger network when this is the case. One common application is secure communications through the public Internet, but a VPN need not have explicit security features, such as authentication or content encryption. VPNs, for example, can be used to separate the traffic of different user communities over an underlying network with strong security features.

A VPN may have best-effort performance, or may have a defined service level agreement (SLA) between the VPN customer and the VPN service provider. Generally, a VPN has a topology more complex than point-to-point.

How to Restore System in Win 98?
We can not, the feature was introduces in Windows XP.

How to Restore System in Win2000?
We can not, the feature was introduces in Windows XP.

How to change proxies in Google Chrome?
Tools – Options – Under the Hood – Network – Change Proxy Settings

Where is virtual memory stored?
Virtual memory is stored in hard drive.

What is PC Recovery?
PC recovery = System Recovery = repair
It is done through installation CD from which the operating system was installed.

In win 2000 is there any option of pc recovery?
NO

How we can connect 2 laptops via wifi if we don’t have any hub or router?
Through add hoc connection

What is the latest version of I phone?
I phone 3g

What is 3G?
3G is a network i.e. Video conference is not possible without 3g network.

What is an Ad-hoc connection?
On wireless computer networks, ad-hoc mode is a method for wireless devices to directly communicate with each other. Operating in ad-hoc mode allows all wireless devices within range of each other to discover and communicate in peer-to-peer fashion without involving central access points (including those built in to broadband wireless routers).

What is the difference between the process of data transfer in DDR 1, 2, 3?
Transfer data rate
DDR1: - 200/266/333/400Mbps
DDR2: - 400/533/667/800Mbps
DDR3: - 800/1066/1333/ 1600Mbps


The red line on IDE cable, what does it signifies?
First pin on the cable.

How you can uninstall IE 7 from Vista?
No we cannot uninstall IE 7 in Vista since it’s the basic preinstalled version of IE.

What is firewall and what it does?
A firewall examines all traffic routed between the two networks to see if it meets certain criteria. If it does, it is routed between the networks, otherwise it is stopped. A firewall filters both inbound and outbound traffic. It can also manage public access to private networked resources such as host applications. It can be used to log all attempts to enter the private network and trigger alarms when hostile or unauthorized entry is attempted. Firewalls can filter packets based on their source and destination addresses and port numbers. This is known as address filtering. Firewalls can also filter specific types of network traffic. This is also known as protocol filtering because the decision to forward or reject traffic is dependant upon the protocol used, for example HTTP, ftp or telnet. Firewalls can also filter traffic by packet attribute or state.

IE is able to access all sites except hotmail.com how do we solve it?
Check restricted sites list and lower the security level and delete cookies.

If BIOS is corrupt what will happen?
System will not boot. Max to max it will go up to POST.

How will you go to secured websites?
https:\\www.sitename.com

Yahoo messenger is not connecting (reinstall is not working) how will we fix it?
Check proxy settings (yahoo messenger) and firewall settings.

While playing a movie you hear the audio but you can’t see a video, what could the reason?
Video codec is not installed.

There is question mark sign in front of the audio device in device manager, what does it mean?
The driver for the device is not installed.

Class of Subnet mask IP A, B & C = Class A = 255.0.0.0, Class B = 255.255.0.0, Class C = 255.255.255.0,
5 Computers connected through a hub and we have a USB printer how to print.
We’ll connect the printer to one of the 5 systems and share it. If the main computer is off it will not print and if it is on and on logon screen it will print cause printer spooler service starts working in the back ground.

What is cipher strength?
It’s the encryption strength of IE like 64bit 128bit you can’t access secured websites without 128bit cipher strength. To check cipher strength go to HELP -> ABOUT INTERNET EXPLORER.

What is IRQ? And how do we change it?
The IRQ is a number set in the computer for the interrupt request. The interrupt request is assigned to devices to allow it to "interrupt", or send a signal, to the computer when it is finished processing. In older computers, you had to manually set the IRQ values for devices. Newer computers and operating systems use plug'n'play, which allows you to not need to set IRQ values. IRQs can be changed from Device Manager, for that you need to disable ACPI from BIOS or Kernel.

What is ACPI?
ACPI (Advanced Configuration Power Interface) refers to a Power Management specification developed by Intel, Microsoft and Toshiba. The specification allows an operating system to control the power distribution to peripherals such as hard-drives, it was originally intended for laptops/notebooks where power saving is vital.
ACPI allows the operating system to communicate with the computer's BIOS and instruct the BIOS to power down peripherals, for instance when your computer goes into hibernation mode, the operating system is using the ACPI specification to control the power to the internal components.

What is Kernel?
The kernel is the essential center of a computer operating system, the core that provides basic services for all other parts of the operating system. A synonym is nucleus. A kernel can be contrasted with a shell, the outermost part of an operating system that interacts with user commands. Typically, a kernel (or any comparable center of an operating system) includes an interrupt handler that handles all requests or completed I/O operations that compete for the kernel's services, a scheduler that determines which programs share the kernel's processing time in what order, and a supervisor that actually gives use of the computer to each process when it is scheduled. A kernel may also include a manager of the operating system's address spaces in memory or storage, sharing these among all components and other users of the kernel's services. A kernel's services are requested by other parts of the operating system or by application programs through a specified set of program interfaces sometimes known as system calls.

What is loopback address? What does it check?
Loopback address is 127.0.0.1 IP address it checks whether the hardware is working fine or not.