GATE 2011 CS (CS1) – Question 21

Computer Organization and Architecture · I/O Interface: Interrupt and DMA · 1 mark · Multiple choice

A computer receives interrupts from CPU overtemperature, mouse movement/button events, keyboard keys and completed hard-disk reads. Which has highest priority?

Hard disk
Mouse
Keyboard
CPU temperature sensor

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (D) CPU temperature sensor

Explanation

CPU overheating threatens immediate hardware damage and correct operation, whereas the other events are ordinary I/O service requests. A protective temperature interrupt therefore gets the highest priority, D, under the safety-oriented priority policy asked here.

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