Chapter 9

Connecting and Configuring Peripherals

Although most peripherals connect via the omnipresent USB port, many peripherals require you to do more than simply plug in the device. Other types of devices, such as speakers and displays, use different interfaces. In this chapter, you learn the major features of CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ Infrastructure Objective 2.2: Given a scenario, set up and install common peripheral devices to a laptop/PC. Devices: Printer, Scanner, Keyboard, Mouse, Camera, External hard drive, Speakers, Display. Installation types: Plug-and-play vs. driver installation, Other required steps, IP-based peripherals, Web-based configuration steps.

Figure 9-1 shows the locations of peripheral connections on the back of a typical desktop computer. Many desktop computers also have USB and speaker jacks on their front.

Laptop computers, unlike desktop computers, don’t have a port cluster where all ports are located. Instead, laptop ports might be located on the left edge, right edge, or back edge. Figure 9-2 provides an example.

The following is the basic procedure for installing a local or network printer in Microsoft Windows. This procedure works with Windows 7 through Windows 10.

Step 1. Install the driver files, preferably downloaded from the vendor’s website. Do not discard the driver disc, though. It may be necessary for the installation of bundled software that is not available by download. Choose network driver files if you are planning to connect to the printer via a network.

Step 2. Make sure the printer is turned off.

Step 3. With a local printer, connect a USB cable to the port on the printer (see Figure 9-3). With a network printer, set it up to connect to your local wired or wireless network. This might be accomplished using the printer’s own control panel or during installation.

Step 4. If you are installing a local printer, after the driver files are installed, connect the other end of the printer cable to a USB 2.0 or 3.x port (USB 2.0 preferred) on the computer (see Figure 9-4).

Step 5. Open Control Panel (search for cpanel and click the matching program).

Step 6. Click View devices and printers (see Figure 9-5).

Step 7. Scroll down to the Printers section to view existing printers and multifunction devices.

Step 8. Click Add a printer (see Figure 9-6).

Step 9. Turn on the printer.

Step 10. Windows will search USB and network connections for the printer. Click the printer to select it.

Step 11. Click Next to continue (see Figure 9-7).

Step 12. Make sure the Set as the default printer box is checked if you want to use this as your normal printer (see Figure 9-8).

Step 13. Click Print a test page to make sure the printer is working (see Figure 9-8).

Step 14. Click Finish to close the dialog (see Figure 9-8).

Step 15. Click OK to close the printer properties sheet.

If your printer is not detected in Step 10, click the The printer that I want isn’t listed link shown in Figure 9-7. This will open the Find a printer by other options dialog shown in Figure 9-9. In this dialog, you can choose from many other ways to connect to a local or network printer.

Step 1. Install the driver files, preferably downloaded from the vendor’s website. Do not discard the driver disc, though. It may be necessary for the installation of bundled software that is not available by download.

Step 2. After the driver files are installed, connect the scanner to a USB 2.0 or 3.x port (USB 2.0 preferred) and turn it on.

Step 3. When the scanner is recognized, the installation program completes the process.

Step 4. Be sure to scan a photo or document when prompted or after the installation process is over to verify the scanner is working properly.

Here are the steps to install a network scanner:

Step 1. Make sure the scanner is connected to a wired or wireless network.

Step 2. Install the driver files.

Step 3. Start the installation process.

Step 4. Choose the option to set up a network scanner.

Step 5. Scan a test photo or document.

On the other hand, a specialty keyboard made for gaming may require driver software to enable features such as LED light control, game-specific settings, and macros. Here are the steps to follow to install software for a typical gaming keyboard:

Step 1. Make sure the computer is turned on and the operating system is loaded.

Step 2. Connect the keyboard to a USB 2.0 port. On a desktop computer, the USB 2.0 ports at the top (left) of the port cluster are recommended.

Step 3. Download the software from the vendor’s website.

Step 4. Install the software.

If the keyboard is a wireless keyboard, the installation process varies. With a keyboard that includes a proprietary wireless dongle, the process is very simple:

Step 1. Plug the dongle into a USB 2.0 port.

Step 2. After installing batteries, turn on the keyboard.

Step 3. If the computer is already on, the keyboard will be recognized and can be used in a few seconds. When the computer is turned on, the keyboard will be recognized during the startup process.

If the keyboard connects via Bluetooth, follow this procedure:

Step 1. After installing batteries in the keyboard, turn it on.

Step 2. Turn on the Bluetooth receiver in the computer.

Step 3. Start the pairing process. During the pairing process, you might need to press a Connect button on the keyboard or enter a sequence of alphanumeric text on the keyboard.

Step 4. When the pairing process is complete, the keyboard is ready to use.

Step 1. Make sure the computer is turned on and the operating system is loaded.

Step 2. Connect the mouse to a USB 2.0 port. On a desktop computer, the USB 2.0 ports at the top (left) of the port cluster are recommended.

Step 3. Download the software from the vendor’s website.

Step 4. Install the software.

For a wireless mouse, the installation process varies. With a mouse that includes a proprietary wireless dongle, the process is very simple:

Step 1. Plug the dongle into a USB 2.0 port.

Step 2. After installing batteries in the mouse, turn it on.

Step 3. If the computer is already on, the mouse will be recognized and can be used in a few seconds. When the computer is turned on, the mouse will be recognized during the startup process.

If the mouse connects via Bluetooth, follow this procedure:

Step 1. After installing batteries in the mouse, turn it on.

Step 2. Turn on the Bluetooth receiver in the computer.

Step 3. Start the pairing process. During the pairing process, you might need to press a Connect button on the mouse or move the mouse.

Step 4. When the pairing process is complete, the mouse is ready to use.

• A webcam, which can be used for live video chatting or for recording still photos and videos

• A digital camera, which can use the desktop or laptop as a permanent storage location for the photos or videos you have already taken

Both types of cameras connect to a USB port.

Some webcams have additional features such as pan, tilt, or zoom; video and photo capture; motion detection; face tracking; background replacement. To enable these features, download and install the software drivers provided by the vendor.

Step 1. Connect a USB cable from your camera to a suitable USB port on your computer. Some digital cameras use a proprietary cable that connects to the computer’s USB port, but most recent ones use a mini-USB cable. Some support USB 3.x.

Step 2. Turn on the camera.

Step 3. Your camera may be recognized automatically. If not, press the playback button on the camera.

If you connect a digital camera to a Windows laptop or desktop, you can select how to access it. Click the prompt shown in Figure 9-10a to display a dialog similar to the one shown in Figure 9-10b. The exact apps shown vary with the version of Windows and the photo-handling apps installed on your system.

If you choose File Explorer/Windows Explorer, you can view the pictures on the camera and manually transfer them. If you choose an import app, select the photos or videos to transfer and then the app transfers them for you.

With a macOS computer, the picture/video import process opens automatically as soon as the camera is connected. Choose the pictures or videos to transfer.

Some vendors also provide diagnostic, backup, or utility software for the drive. Install it as prompted.

• 3.5mm (mini-jack)

• HDMI

• S/PDIF

Most desktop computers use integrated sound, but some use a sound card for higher-quality sound.

• Light blue—Line-in

• Lime green—Stereo headphone/speaker

• Pink—Microphone

Some systems add the following to provide support for 5.1/7.1 surround audio:

• Black—Rear speaker

• Orange—Center or subwoofer

• Silver—Side stereo

After connecting speakers to your PC, use the audio mixer function in the operating system to select which speaker connection to use. If you switch from the default analog speaker setting to a digital speaker output but don’t update the settings in your audio mixer, you won’t hear sound coming from your preferred speaker. Figure 9-13 illustrates the mixer function in Microsoft Windows 10.

Step 1. Turn off the display and the computer.

Step 2. If necessary, attach the VGA cable to the display (some use a built-in cable).

Step 3. Line up the cable with the VGA port.

Step 4. Push the cable into place.

Step 5. Attach the cable with the provided thumbscrews if possible.

Follow these steps to connect the cable:

Step 1. Turn off the display and the computer.

Step 2. If necessary, attach the DVI cable to the display (some use a built-in cable).

Step 3. Line up the cable with the DVI port.

Step 4. Push the cable into place.

Step 5. Attach the cable with the provided thumbscrews if possible.

Step 1. Turn off the display and the computer.

Step 2. If necessary, attach the cable to the display (some use a built-in cable).

Step 3. Line up the cable with the appropriate port.

Step 4. Push the cable into place.

Figure 9-16 illustrates connecting HDMI and mini-DisplayPort cables to a computer.

The configuration process is performed through the operating system. Figure 9-17 provides examples of the Windows 10 display configuration dialog.

If a device cannot be recognized by the operating system (OS) because the OS lacks the correct drivers, the drivers must be installed. Depending on the device, the drivers may be installed before the device is connected or after the device is connected.

After a device that requires drivers is installed with the correct drivers, the device is treated as a plug-and-play device when it is reconnected to the device. Figure 9-18 illustrates the Windows 10 Device Manager’s listings for a USB mass storage device and an HD webcam.

If the device is located on a network rather than being plugged into a computer, the installation program may prompt the user to browse for the correct device.

When a device is bundled with apps, the installation process may prompt the user to select whether to install any or all bundled apps.

Step 1. Connect the device to a working wired or wireless network.

Step 2. Verify the device can connect to the network.

Step 3. Verify the device can connect to the Internet.

Step 4. Verify the device can be managed via its Internet connection.

Some IP-based peripherals you might encounter include wireless access points (Wireless AP, or WAP), wireless routers, IP security cameras, network print servers, and network printers or multifunction devices.

Depending on the device, configuring the device for an IP connection might be performed through a touch panel, via a setup program, or via the device’s embedded (built-in) web browser. A device that is managed through an embedded web browser is referred to as using a web-based configuration.

Step 1. Look up the IP address and login information for the device.

Step 2. After connecting the device to the network and powering it on, open your web browser and navigate to the device’s IP address.

Step 3. Enter the username and password to gain access to the device.

Step 4. At this point, you can begin the management process.

I recommend you use a screen capture utility to document the changes you make.

One of the most common web-based devices you are likely to manage is a wireless router. To learn more about this process, see Chapter 15, “Given a Scenario, Install, Configure, and Secure a Basic Wireless Network.”

printer

scanner

keyboard

mouse

camera

external hard drive

speakers

display

plug-and-play

IP-based peripherals

1. Web-based

2. Driver

3. Plug-and-play

4. Browse for device

2. Your client wants you to install a projector as a second display. The projector needs to show the same information as the first display. You need to set it up with which of the following options?

1. Extended

2. RF

3. IP

4. Duplicate

3. You are connecting a PC to an HDTV. Which of the following connections will provide digital audio?

1. VGA

2. DVI-D

3. S/PDIF

4. DVI-I

4. You are connecting a stereo headset using a 3.5mm mini-jack to a computer. Which of the following connectors do you use?

1. Black

2. Light blue

3. Lime green

4. Pink

5. Your client has asked for a deluxe webcam with pan, tilt, and zoom as a replacement for the existing webcam. Which of the following most accurately describes the setup process?

1. Connect the new webcam and use it immediately.

2. Set up the webcam to use the Internet.

3. Install drivers for the webcam.

4. Cut the wire to the old webcam.

6. You are installing an all-in-one (print/copy/scan/fax) device and notice that the copyright date on the driver disc is two years old. The driver on the website is newer. What should you do with the driver disc?

1. Throw it away.

2. Save it as a backup.

3. Install the bundled apps after using the updated drivers online.

4. Install the driver and bundled apps from the disc.

7. You have two USB 3.x ports and four USB 2.0 ports. You have two 4TB external drives. Where should you connect your new scanner?

1. USB 2.0 port

2. Fastest USB 3.x port

3. Slowest USB 3.x port

4. Any USB port

8. Your projector has built-in speakers that you want to use for a presentation. It can accept a variety of connections. Which connection will deliver both audio and video (A/V) signals to the projector?

1. USB

2. HDMI

3. VGA

4. DVI

9. You are installing a gaming keyboard and you want to change the LED lighting settings. What do you need to do to accomplish this?

1. Change the keycaps.

2. Install a DSL modem.

3. Connect the keyboard to a network.

4. Install drivers.

10. A client calls and is wondering why her new Bluetooth mouse doesn’t work. You need to ask if she went through the ________ process. (Fill in the blank.)

1. Channel-bonding

2. Pairing

3. Driver installation

4. UVC

11. You are connecting your computer to a receiver using HDMI and the audio is still coming from the speakers. The receiver is set correctly. What do you need to do?

1. Change default video source.

2. Change default ISP.

3. Change the default audio source.

4. Mute the onboard speakers.

12. You need to record audio from a cassette deck so you can turn the sound into an MP3 audio file. Which of the following connectors on your computer do you use?

1. S/PDIF

2. Black mini-jack

3. Pink mini-jack

4. Light blue mini-jack

13. A client is reporting that their VGA display is not working. When you arrive, you notice that the _______ holding the cable in place are not fastened properly. (Fill in the blank.)

1. Retaining clips

2. Thumbscrews

3. Mini-jacks

4. Lock washers

14. You are planning to install an external hard drive, a gaming mouse, and a flash drive on a user’s laptop computer. Which of the following do you need to make sure is available before you go?

1. Optical drive

2. Internet access

3. USB hub

4. IP management

15. Your client has recently switched from Windows to macOS. When the client connects his digital camera to the macOS laptop and turns on the camera, what happens?

1. Nothing.

2. The client must select what to do.

3. The import process opens.

4. The client must install the driver for the camera.

16. Your client recently found an outstanding deal on an external hard drive formatted for macOS. However, the client has a Windows computer. The drive cannot be returned. What is the best option for the client?

1. Donate the drive for a tax deduction.

2. Connect the drive to a wireless router and share it.

3. Buy a macOS laptop to use with the drive.

4. Reformat the drive.

17. When you originally connected a new printer to your computer, you had to install the driver software before the printer would work. You lent the printer to a friend for a few days. When you reconnect it to your computer and turn it on, what is most likely to happen?

1. Printer is ready to work.

2. You must reinstall the printer driver.

3. You must update the printer driver.

4. The printer is no longer compatible with your computer.

18. The documentation for a new device states that it has a default IP address of 192.168.1.1. This device uses which type of setup?

1. IP-based

2. Driver-based

3. Web-based

4. Plug-and-play

19. A friend has lent you an audio cable for use with your older computer. He cautions you not to bend or crease the cable. Which type of cable is it?

1. HDMI

2. S/PDIF optical

3. Mini-jack surround

4. S/PDIF coaxial

20. Which pair of cables carry both digital audio and digital video signals?

1. S/PDIF coaxial, S/PDIF optical

2. DVI, VGA

3. DisplayPort, HDMI

4. Mini-jack, USB

No matter where you’re heading next in your technology journey, consider joining the IEEE Computer Society. It’s responsible for a lot of today’s technology standards. Learn more at www.computer.org.