Here’s a guide to those weird ports you will probably encounter on the back of your computer: Serial port – for external modems and old computer mice Parallel port – connector for scanners and printers Universal Serial Bus (USB) port – a new universal connector PS/2 port – keyboard and mouse interface Video card port […]
A serial port is used to connect external modems or an older computer mouse to the computer. It comes in two versions a 9-pin version (in the first picture below left) or a 25-pin model (second picture below right). The 9-pin is found on most newer computers. Data travels over a serial port at 115 […]
A parallel port is used to connect external devices such as scanners and printers. The 25-pin port is sometimes called a printer port. It’s also known by the gruesome name: IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port. The port is sometimes also called more simply a “printer” port. There are two variants for this type of interface. The […]
A universal serial bus port (pictured below) introduced around 1997, is the gateway to your computer. It’s used to connect all kinds of external devices, such as external hard drives, printers, mice, scanners and more. There are normally two half-inch long USB ports on the back of computers built since 1998. Sometimes there are USB […]
Question: I’ve run out of USB plugs on my computer! I have a USB printer and USB scanner, and now a USB connector for my camera. So, now what? – A.V. Answer: Well, you can plug and play – just swap them as you need to. But more conveniently, you can buy a USB hub […]