Ann, a user, has an external monitor that will not turn on. Her laptop has activity lights and is plugged into the same power strip. Which of the following should be checked FIRST to begin troubleshoo

The power strip is less likely to be the sole issue since the laptop, which is also connected to it, is receiving power and displaying activity lights.

The monitor video cable would be checked if the monitor turned on but displayed no image, not if it failed to power on at all.

The laptop power cable is functioning, as evidenced by the laptop's activity lights, so troubleshooting it would not address the monitor's power issue.

As the laptop on the same power strip is working, indicating the power strip itself is functional, the most direct and specific component to check for a monitor that won't turn on is its own power cable. This ensures the monitor is actually receiving power from the strip.