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Peripheral Devices & Expansion Cards

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CompTIA A+ 220-1201 & 220-1202

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1 Introduction & Exam Overview

About the CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Domains & Study Strategy

2 Core 1 Domain 1: Mobile Devices (13%)

Laptop Hardware & Components Laptop Features & Display Types Mobile Device Connectivity & Accessories Mobile Operating System Features Mobile Device Synchronization & Data Transfer

3 Core 1 Domain 2: Networking (23%)

TCP/IP Fundamentals & the OSI Model Common Ports & Protocols Wireless Networking Standards Network Hardware & Devices Network Configuration & Internet Connections Network Types & Topologies

4 Core 1 Domain 3: Hardware (25%)

Cables & Connectors RAM Types & Storage Devices Motherboards, CPUs & Power Supplies Printers & Multifunction Devices Peripheral Devices & Expansion Cards Network Cable Tools & Testing

5 Core 1 Domain 4: Virtualization & Cloud Computing (11%)

Virtualization Concepts Cloud Computing Models & Services Client-Side Virtualization in Practice

6 Core 1 Domain 5: Hardware & Network Troubleshooting (28%)

CompTIA Troubleshooting Methodology Hardware Troubleshooting Network Troubleshooting Printer Troubleshooting Display & Mobile Device Troubleshooting

7 Core 2 Domain 1: Operating Systems (28%)

Windows Editions & Features Windows Administrative Tools & Utilities Windows Command Line & PowerShell macOS & Linux Basics Windows Networking & File Sharing Windows Installation & Upgrade Methods

8 Core 2 Domain 2: Security (28%)

Physical & Logical Security Measures Malware Types & Threat Mitigation Wireless & Network Security Encryption & Data Protection

9 Core 2 Domain 3: Software Troubleshooting (23%)

Windows OS Troubleshooting Mobile OS & Application Troubleshooting Browser & Application Troubleshooting

10 Core 2 Domain 4: Operational Procedures (21%)

Documentation & Change Management Backup & Recovery Methods Safety & Environmental Procedures Scripting & Remote Access Technologies Privacy, Licensing & Organizational Policies

Peripheral Devices & Expansion Cards

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

Input devices (keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, scanner, webcam, mic, barcode/signature/smart-card readers) connect via USB, Bluetooth, or 2.4 GHz wireless.

A KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switch lets one set of peripherals control multiple computers — common in server rooms.

Common expansion cards (GPU, sound, NIC, USB, capture, RAID controller) install in PCIe slots sized x1 to x16.

Plug-and-play lets modern operating systems auto-detect and configure most peripherals without manual driver installs.

For an unrecognized USB device, follow a structured path: try another port, check Device Manager, test on another PC, and verify power.

Last updated: June 2026

Input Devices

  • Device Connection Use Case / Exam Note
  • Keyboard USB, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz RF Primary text input
  • Mouse / trackpad USB, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz Pointing

Touchscreen Built-in (capacitive or resistive) Capacitive = multi-touch, finger; resistive = pressure/stylus, kiosks

  • Flatbed scanner USB Uses TWAIN/WIA driver standards
  • Barcode / QR scanner USB, Bluetooth, RF Retail, inventory
  • Webcam / microphone USB, 3.5 mm, built-in Conferencing
  • Drawing tablet USB, Bluetooth Pressure-sensitive design input
  • Smart-card reader USB, built-in CAC/PIV authentication
  • Signature pad / fingerprint reader USB, built-in Capture and biometric auth
  • NFC reader USB, built-in Tap-to-pay, badge access

Connection traits to know: Bluetooth is short range (~10 m Class 2) and must be put into pairing/discoverable mode on both ends. A 2.4 GHz RF keyboard/mouse uses a tiny USB dongle and is not the same as Bluetooth — losing the dongle means losing the device. Capacitive vs. resistive touchscreens is a recurring distractor: capacitive needs a conductive touch (your finger) and supports multi-touch; resistive responds to any pressure including a stylus or gloved finger.

Output Devices

  • Device Connection Use Case
  • Monitor HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C, VGA (legacy) Visual display
  • Projector HDMI, VGA, USB-C, wireless Large-format presentation
  • Speakers / headset 3.5 mm, USB, Bluetooth, HDMI Audio out
  • Printer USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Document output

Some devices are both input and output: a touchscreen displays and accepts input, and a multifunction printer prints, scans, copies, and faxes.

Expansion Cards

  • Card Typical PCIe Slot Purpose
  • Graphics card (GPU) x16 Rendering, gaming, multi-display
  • Sound card x1 Higher-fidelity / surround audio
  • Network card (NIC) x1 or x4 2.5/10 GbE wired or Wi-Fi 6E/7
  • USB expansion x1 Add USB-A / USB-C ports
  • Video capture card x1 or x4 Capture HDMI input for streaming
  • RAID/HBA controller x4 or x8 Hardware RAID for many drives
  • Thunderbolt add-in x4 Adds Thunderbolt to a desktop

A card needs enough electrical lanes : a GPU expects x16, but a x16 card runs in an open-ended x4/x8 slot at reduced bandwidth. A x1 card fits any larger slot.

Expansion Card Installation (ESD-safe procedure)

Power off, unplug the PSU, and hold the power button to drain residual charge.

Wear an anti-static wrist strap bonded to the chassis (ESD damage can be invisible and intermittent).

Open the case and locate the correct PCIe slot for the card's lane count.

Remove the rear slot bracket/cover.

Align and firmly seat the card until the retention clip clicks.

Secure the bracket with a screw or clip.

Connect required power (most GPUs need 6+2 pin or 12VHPWR PCIe power).

Close the case, power on, and install the latest driver .

Exam Tip: A new card that is not detected is almost always a physical seating or power issue — reseat the card and confirm the PCIe power connector is plugged in before reinstalling drivers or the OS.

KVM Switches

A KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switch lets one keyboard, monitor, and mouse drive several computers.

  • Feature Detail
  • Ports 2, 4, 8, or 16 systems
  • Video supported VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort
  • Switching method Hotkey, front button, or on-screen display (OSD)
  • Benefit Saves desk space and the cost of duplicate peripherals
  • Use case Server rooms, NOCs, multi-PC workstations
  • Troubleshooting Peripherals

Apply the CompTIA troubleshooting methodology: identify the problem, establish a theory, test it, fix, verify full functionality, then document.

Symptom Structured Resolution

USB device not recognized Try another port; check Device Manager for a yellow ! ; update/reinstall driver; test the device on another PC to isolate device vs. port

  • "USB power surge / hub exceeds" Device draws too much current — use a powered USB hub or a direct port
  • Bluetooth won't pair Put both ends in discoverable mode; remove old pairing; restart the Bluetooth radio
  • No audio output Confirm the correct playback device is default; check mute/volume; update the audio driver
  • Wireless mouse/keyboard lag Replace batteries; re-seat the 2.4 GHz dongle; move away from interference
  • Second monitor not detected Reseat the cable; try another port; press Win+P to extend ; update the GPU driver
  • Scanner not found Verify the WIA / TWAIN driver and that the scanner service is running

General rule: Always start with the simplest, least invasive check. Swapping the cable/port or rebooting beats reinstalling Windows. Confirm whether the fault follows the device or stays with the port — that single test isolates most peripheral issues.