Attaching Devices Guide

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Are you confused about your PC sockets? Wondering what’s the difference between a DVI and LPT socket? If you need to attach devices to your computer, make sure you attach them to the right socket on the back. It is possible, for example, to fit a USB plug into a network socket without too much bother. Not only will this not work, it might actually damage your PC!

Socket Guide

The following table shows pictures of PC sockets, gives their names, and their most common uses. If you have problems identifying a socket that’s not listed, please call us on 0131 339 9448 or email contactus@tabardit.co.uk and we can help identify it.

If you plug a device into your PC using the incorrect socket or lead, you may end up damaging both the PC and the device!

Socket
Plug
Description
Power

Where you plug in the power; most desktop computers use the connection shown, but laptops use a wide range of different connectors and separate power supplies.

Socket
Plug
Description
PS/2

Normally used for mouse and keyboard – the keyboard socket & connector are often purple/mauve, and the mouse green.

Socket
Plug
Description
Serial or COM port

Older generation machines use these instead of USB sockets.

Socket
Plug
Description
Parallel port

Usually used to connect printers, these have been replaced in more recent machines by USB sockets, but many printers still have parallel connections. Parallel cables are limited in length to about 2 metres – anything longer and you can get signal interference causing problems printing.

Socket
Plug
Description
VGA

Connects to a monitor. Nearly all computers will have this type of connector, although more recently some also have DVI connectors (see below)

Socket
Plug
Description
USB

Used amongst other things for printers, scanners, digital cameras, external hard disc drives, iPods, memory keys etc. It comes in two flavours, USB1.x and USB2.x, the second being faster and backwards-compatible – ie you can plug a 2 device into a 1 socket and vice-versa, but the device will only work as fast as the slower component.

Socket
Plug
Description
Firewire

Conceived for connecting digital video cameras and hard disc drives, this device runs around about the speed of USB2 or faster. The 6-pin connector is shown – there is also a smaller 4-pin version and adapters to connect the two.

Socket
Plug
Description
Modem/Phone Line

Connects the computer to a phone line to allow dial-up access to the internet and sending and receiving of faxes. Many computers have a modem built-in, but if you have broadband, you might not need to use it – in fact, if you don’t use your modem, it’s safest to disconnect the phone to prevent phone dialler trojans.

Socket
Plug
Description
Ethernet

Connects the computer to a local area network and/or broadband internet. Not all computers will have this type of connector, but it’s the easiest and best way to connect to the internet if you have a modem or router that supports ethernet.

Socket
Plug
Description
Comparison between modem and ethernet connectors

These two connectors are quite similar, so this picture shows how the ethernet connector is slightly wider. In fact, the phone connector will physically fit into the ethernet socket, but you shouldn’t ever plug it in!

Socket
Plug
Description
DVI

An update of the VGA connector for monitors and displays which use pure digital signals; some computers will have both VGA and DVI connectors; if you have the option to use DVI, it provides a better picture than VGA.