2.3. Peripherals and Cabling

💡 First Principle: To connect components and troubleshoot connectivity, you must correctly identify the purpose and physical characteristics of the vast ecosystem of cables, connectors, and peripheral devices.

Scenario: You need to connect a user's new desktop PC to their existing monitor, a network printer, and a scanner. You must identify the correct ports on each device (e.g., DisplayPort, RJ-45, USB-B) and select the appropriate cables from a box of assorted types.

A computer is only useful if it can interact with the user and other devices. This requires a deep knowledge of various peripherals and the cables that connect them.

⚠️ Common Pitfall: Forcing a connector into the wrong port. This can damage both the cable and the port. If it doesn't fit easily, double-check that you have the right cable and orientation.

Key Trade-Offs:

• Analog vs. Digital Video: Digital signals (HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-D) provide a much clearer image than analog signals (VGA).

Reflection Question: When a user says their "monitor isn't working," why is checking the physical cable connection and the monitor's selected input source the most logical first step?