Module 3 / Unit / Using

Peripheral Devices
Objectives
• Use Plug-and-Play to install devices and understand the use of device
drivers
• Describe different display technologies and install and configure a PC
display
• Install and configure multimedia devices, such as sound cards,
speakers, microphones, and webcams
• Describe the features and capabilities of different types of printer and
their associated interfaces
• Install and configure printers and scanners
Installing and Uninstalling Peripherals
• Plug-and-Play Installation: This remains the standard for most modern
devices. When a peripheral is connected, Windows automatically
detects it and attempts to install a generic or the correct device driver
from a local repository or online.
• Manual Driver Installation: This is still necessary for specialized
hardware or when a more recent driver is required than what the
operating system provides. You can download the latest driver from the
manufacturer's website and run the setup program.
• Hot-swappable devices: Most modern peripheral interfaces, such as
USB, Thunderbolt, and HDMI, are hot-swappable, meaning the system
does not need to be restarted to connect or disconnect them.
Post-installation Configuration
• Settings App: On modern operating
systems like Windows 11, post-installation
configuration is primarily done through the
Settings app.
• Navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & devices to
manage input devices, printers, and scanners.
• Right-clicking a device offers options to set it
as default, access its properties, or remove it
from the computer. A troubleshooter can also
be run for devices not functioning correctly.
Removing and Uninstalling Devices
• Device Manager: This tool is still the
primary method for managing system
hardware. Can be accessed by right-
clicking the Start button and selecting
Device Manager from the menu.
• From here, you can locate a device,
right-click it, and select Uninstall
device to remove the device and its
associated drivers from the system.
• It's a critical tool for troubleshooting
and for completely uninstalling drivers
to perform a clean installation.
IP-based Peripherals and Web Configuration
• Many modern peripherals and
smart devices, such as wireless
printers, smart home hubs, and
network-attached storage (NAS)
devices, are configured and
managed over a network using a
web browser interface.
• You access the device's
management portal by typing its IP
address into a web browser.

Image Source: [Link]

Display Technologies
• LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): This technology has
evolved, with most modern screens using LED
backlighting (LED-lit LCDs). This offers better contrast,
energy efficiency, and a thinner design than older Cold
Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) backlights.
• OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode): A newer
technology where each pixel generates its own light,
allowing for true blacks, infinite contrast, and faster
response times. They are widely used in smartphones,
high-end TVs, and laptops.
• QLED (Quantum Dot LED): This is a variation of LCD
technology that uses quantum dots to enhance color
and brightness. It is a popular alternative to OLED,
particularly in larger televisions.
• Touchscreens: Resistive and capacitive touchscreens
are still the two primary technologies. Modern devices
almost exclusively use capacitive screens for their
accuracy and responsiveness.
Source: [Link]
Digital Projectors
• Digital projectors are still widely used for presentations and home
theater systems. They use the same graphics interfaces as monitors,
with
• HDMI and DisplayPort being the most common modern connections.
Many also support wireless screen mirroring technologies like
Miracast or Chromecast.

Source: [Link]
Display Settings and Screen Resolution
• Screen Resolution: The concept remains the same,
measured by pixels (width x height). Common modern
widescreen resolutions include:
• Full HD (FHD): 1920 x 1080 (1080p)
• Quad HD (QHD): 2560 x 1440 (1440p)
• 4K Ultra HD (UHD): 3840 x 2160
• 8K: 7680 x 4320
• Settings App: On Windows 11, display settings are in
Settings > System > Display. Here, you can adjust
brightness, enable Night Light, and change the scaling
of text and apps (which is recommended for high-
resolution displays). You can also configure multiple
displays from this menu.
Installing and Configuring Dual Monitors
• The concepts of Duplicate, Extend, and Project are still the standard
for managing multiple displays. You can configure this easily in
Windows 11 by navigating to Settings > System > Display > Multiple
Displays.
Configuring a Touchscreen
• On Windows 11, the settings for touchscreens are integrated into the
main Settings app. You can calibrate the display from
• Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Pen & Windows Ink or System >
Display.
 Multimedia Ports and Devices
• Sound Cards: While a sound card is still a key
component, most modern motherboards have
high-quality audio integrated directly, making
dedicated sound cards less common for general
use.
• Audio Interfaces: In addition to the standard
analog speaker and microphone jacks (lime,
pink, light blue), modern audio devices also use
USB-C and Thunderbolt connections for high-
fidelity audio transmission.
• Speaker Configurations: Modern surround
sound systems often use more sophisticated
Source: [Link] standards beyond Dolby 5.1 and 7.1, such as
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which add height
board-audio-works/ channels for a more immersive 3D audio
experience.
Audio Settings
• On Windows 11, audio settings are easily
managed by clicking the volume icon on the
taskbar to bring up a volume slider and quick
settings. For more advanced control, navigate to
Settings > System > Sound.

Windows volume control—drag the

slider to adjust the volume and click
the button to mute or
unmute sound.

Volume control (Notification Area)

Webcams
• Modern webcams are now almost universally high-definition (HD) or
4K, providing significantly better image and video quality than older
models. Many laptops and monitors come with an integrated
webcam. Most external webcams connect via USB-C for faster data
transfer.

Source: [Link]
webcam?srsltid=AfmBOooVEQYH_AyJXVGC9zxBilrnPRXR_f3bNlc4tO-272KDHASn_8gs
 Printer Types
• Laser printer: fuser
unit and toner
• Inkjet: ink cartridge
and print head

Source: [Link]
• Print color: Greyscale or Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key - Black
(CMYK) printing
• Cloud Printing: modern printers support cloud printing services like
Apple AirPrint, which allows you to print directly from a mobile device
over a Wi-Fi connection without needing to install a driver.
NOTE: Google Cloud Print was discontinued but its functionality has been
integrated into other cloud-based printing services.
• Vendors: HP, Epson, Canon, Xerox, Brother, OKI, Konica/Minolta,
Lexmark, Ricoh, Samsung
Installing and Configuring a Printer
• In Windows 11, you manage printers through Settings > Bluetooth &
devices > Printers & scanners.
• Most printers today connect via USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi, and Plug-
and-Play installation is standard.
• You can access the print queue and other printer properties from this
menu.
Scanners
• Many printers today are multifunctional devices that also include a
scanner. They are typically connected via USB or Wi-Fi and are largely
plug-and-play.
• The Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) interface is still relevant for
controlling scanners. Output formats have expanded to include more
modern options like HEIF in addition to JPG, TIFF, and PDF.
Digital Cameras
• While dedicated digital cameras are still popular, smartphones have
become the primary camera for most users.
• Image transfer methods have evolved. In addition to connecting via
USB or using a memory card reader, most modern cameras and
smartphones can transfer photos wirelessly via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to
a computer or cloud storage service.
• Different types of memory cards, such as microSD and CFexpress, are
also in common use.
Review
• Use Plug-and-Play to install devices and understand the use of device
drivers
• Describe different display technologies and install and configure a PC
display
• Install and configure multimedia devices, such as sound cards,
speakers, microphones, and webcams
• Describe the features and capabilities of different types of printer and
their associated interfaces
• Install and configure printers and scanners