[ USB-C cable plugged into the ESP32 module ]
1. Grab a USB-C cable
Use a USB-C cable that supports data, not only charging. If your computer doesn't recognize the board, the cable is usually the first thing to swap.
2. Plug into the ESP32's own USB port
Your pinGPT actually has two USB-C ports. Use the one directly on the ESP32 module — not the one on the carrier board. The carrier-board port is for powering motors, not for talking to your computer.
[ Arrow pointing to the correct USB-C port on the ESP32 ]
3. Watch it wake up
Once connected, you should see small LEDs light up. If your board has a screen, a startup message may appear. That means power is good and the ESP32 is running.
[ Board lighting up with onboard LEDs ]
What just happened
That single cable does two jobs at once: it powers the board and it opens a serial connection so your computer and your pinGPT can talk. That's everything we need before writing our first code in Chapter C.