A cable may refer to any of the following:

Power cord connections

1. Alternatively called a cord, connector, or plug, a cable is one or more wires
covered in plastic that transmits power or data between devices or locations. The
picture shows what the U.S. power cord may look like for your computer or monitor.
The power cord is one example of thousands of other cables in and around
computers.
There are two main types of computer cables: a data cable and a power cable. A
data cable is a cable that provides communication between devices. For example,
the data cable (i.e., DVI, HDMI, or VGA) that connects your monitor to your
computer to create a picture on the monitor. Other popular examples of data cables
include the CAT5, SATA, and USB cables. A power cable is any cable that powers the
device. For example, the power cord that connects to your computer and a Molex
cable inside the computer are examples of power cables.
Examples of computer-related cables
Below is a listing of the most common cables found with computers and electronics
and examples of devices that use them.
 AT (advanced technology) - Used with early keyboards.
Alternatively known as the Model F keyboard, the AT keyboard is a US
standard keyboard introduced in 1986 by IBM.
The original version had 84-keys but was then replaced by the 101-key enhanced
keyboard. Unlike new keyboards, the AT keyboard does not include the additional
three Microsoft Windows keys now found on many IBM-compatible keyboards.
As shown in the illustration, an AT keyboard may also describe a keyboard that uses
the AT (Din5) port. The Din5 Port is rarely used today since most computers
use PS/2 or USB (Universal Serial Bus) keyboards.
 ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) - Used with hard drives and disc
drives.
Short for Integrated Drive Electronics, IDE is commonly known
as ATA or PATA (Parallel AT Attachment). It is a standard interface for IBM
computers that was created by Western Digital and Compaq in 1986 for compatible
hard drives and CD (Compact Disc) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drives. IDE is
different than SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) and ESDI (Enhanced Small
Disk Interface) because its controllers are on each drive, meaning the drive can
connect directly to the motherboard or controller. IDE and its updated successor,
EIDE (Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics), are common drive interfaces found in
IBM compatible computers. Below is a picture of the IDE connector on a hard drive,
IDE cable, and the IDE channels on the motherboard.
  Cat 5 - Used with network cards.

Cat 5
Updated: 09/23/2024 by Computer Hope

Alternatively known as an Ethernet cable or LAN cable, a Cat 5 or category 5 is

a network cable that consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire terminated by
an RJ-45 connector. The picture shows an example of a Cat 5 cable.
Cat 5 cable is used with home and business networks to connect computers to each
other and the Internet and provide transmission speeds between 100 Mbps and
1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps). The maximum recommended length of a Cat 5 cable is 100
meters. Exceeding this length without the aid of a bridge or other network device
could cause network issues, including data packet loss and data transmission speed
degradation.
Wire order in a Cat 5 cable

A Cat 5 cable contains 8 wires made of plastic and copper that must be connected
to a connector in a specific order. If the wires are in a different order, the cable does
not work. There are two standards, T568A and T568B, for the order of the wires.
Each standard has the same performance and does not provide an advantage over
the other. However, you must use the same wire order on each end of the Cat 5
cable.
The tables and images below display the color and order of the wires in a Cat 5
cable, for each wiring standard. As seen in the tables, the cable contains a blue,
brown, green, orange wire and a white stripped version for each of these colors.

How to remove a Cat 5 cable

1. Locate the Cat 5 cable; it should be on the back or side of your laptop or
desktop computer. If you're disconnecting the cable from a
network modem, switch, or router locate the correct cable on that device.
2. Grasp the cable connector as close to the port as you can.
3. You should feel a tab on the top or bottom (it may be under a rubber cable
end coating). Depress the tab and pull the cable out. The cable should be
easy to remove if the tab is pressed properly.
Note
When attempting to disconnect the cable always pull by the connector and not the
cable (wire). Pulling on only the cable may pull the wires out of the connector.
Note
The cable should come out very easily. If it doesn't, you haven't pressed the tab
down far enough.
How is Cat 5 installed in a home or office?
For a new home or office that's being built, Cat 5 cable is placed in the walls with
pre-existing construction cable may run through raised flooring, ceiling, or behind
molding. These cables connect to an outlet with RJ-45 ports on one end and switch,
router, or modem on the other end.

 Coaxial - Used with TV and projectors.

Coaxial cable

A Coaxial cable is a cable used in the transmission of

video, communications, and audio. This cable has high
bandwidths and greater transmission capacity. Most users
relate to a coaxial or coax cable as a cable used to
connect their TVs to a cable TV service. However, these
cables are also used in networks and what allow a
broadband cable Internet connection using a cable
modem. The picture is shows example of a coaxial cable.
As you can see, the cable is a thick and has a metal male
connector end that is screwed onto a female connector.

 Composite - Used with TV, projectors, and consoles. Also known as RCA
cables.

Composite
Updated: 09/12/2023 by Computer Hope
Composite may refer to any of the following:
1. With a cable, a composite cable or RCA cable is an audio/video cable with
yellow, red, and white connectors on each end. They connect a VCR (Video Cassette
Recorder), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player, gaming system, or other audio/video
device to a TV. The yellow connector is for video and the red & white connectors are
for audio (red for the right speaker, white for the left speaker). The picture shows a
RCA cable. These cables come in varying lengths, from 3 feet to 100 feet in length.
However, as the length of the cable gets longer, there is a chance of some signal
quality loss, due to interference along the way.
2. Refers to the amount of chips used on a specific memory module. Composite is
an older 4-bit technology requiring more chips to archive capacity.

 DisplayPort - Used with computer monitors.

DisplayPort
Updated: 05/03/2022 by Computer Hope
DisplayPort may refer to any of the following:
1. DisplayPort, abbreviated as DP, is a digital audio and video interface created
by VESA. Its connections come in two varieties: standard, (shown in the picture) and
the smaller Mini DisplayPort. Despite the difference in size, both connection types
transmit identical signals. These cables are used with display device like a
computer monitor or projector to a computer.
Note
The DisplayPort cable connects to a computer video card. However, not all video
cards have this port. If it's not available, you'll need to use a different cable
supported by your video card.
DisplayPort cables are similar to high-speed HDMI in terms of bandwidth, but can
have a higher refresh rate at peak resolution (60 Hz vs. HDMI's 24 Hz). A
DisplayPort-to-HDMI converter cable is available, to connect a DisplayPort to an
HDMI port.
2. In general, when referring to hardware connectivity, a display port is an opening
in the computer that connects to a monitor, projector, or TV cable. Today, the most
common types of display ports include DVI (Digital Visual Interface), HDMI (High-
Definition Multimedia Interface), and VGA (Video Graphics Array).

 DVI (digital visual interface) - Used with monitors, projectors, and

other displays.

DVI
Updated: 04/12/2021 by Computer Hope
Short for digital visual interface, DVI is a video display interface. It was
developed as an industry standard for transmitting digital video content to display
devices at resolutions as high as 2560 x 1600. Common devices that utilize the DVI
connection are computer monitors and projectors. DVI can even be used with
some TVs, although HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is more common as
only some DVI cables can transmit audio signals. The DVI connector (shown below)
may have one of three names depending on the signals it supports: DVI-A (analog
only), DVI-D (digital only), or DVI-I (digital and analog).
DVI or VGA?
If your monitor and GPU (graphics processing unit) support DVI and VGA (video
graphics adapter), we suggest using a DVI cable. With DVI (digital), the picture
quality is always at least equal to VGA (analog) and possibly better.
Does DVI require software or drivers?
No. If your devices support DVI, no additional software or drivers are needed.
However, realize that a computer video card requires drivers and is one of the
computer's most updated hardware devices.

 eSATA - Used with external drives.

SATA
Updated: 05/03/2022 by Computer Hope
Short for Serial ATA or Serial AT Attachment, SATA 1.0 was released in
August 2001 and is a replacement for the parallel ATA interface used in IBM
compatible computers. SerialATA can deliver 1.5 Gbps (approximately 187 MBps) of
performance to each drive within a disk array. It is backward-compatible with ATA
and ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface) devices, and offers a thin, small cable
solution, as seen in the "SATA Data Cable" picture. This cable helps makes cable
routing easier and offers better airflow in the computer compared to the earlier
ribbon cables used with ATA drives.
SATA also supports external drives through External SATA is called eSATA. eSATA
offers many more advantages compared to other solutions. For example, it is hot-
swappable, supports faster transfer speeds with no bottleneck issues
like USB (Universal Serial Bus) and FireWire, and supports disk drive technologies
(e.g., S.M.A.R.T.).
However, eSATA does have some disadvantages, such as not distributing power
through the cable like USB, which means drives require an external power source.
The eSATA cable also supports a maximum length of up to 2 meters. Because of
these disadvantages don't plan on eSATA becoming the only external solution for
computers.

 Firewire (IEEE 1394) - Used with digital cameras and external drives.
FireWire
Updated: 06/07/2019 by Computer Hope

Alternatively called IEEE 1394, FireWire is a digital bus with a bandwidth of 400-
800 Mbps and higher. It can handle up to 63 units on the same bus, is hot
swappable, and supports PnP (Plug and Play) devices. It was created
by Apple in 1995.
Users more familiar with USB (Universal Serial Bus) can consider FireWire similar to
USB, as they have some similarities. Like USB, FireWire has several devices, such as
removable drives and cameras.
FireWire specifications and versions
 FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394) - The original specification, capable of data
transfer speeds of 100, 200, and 400 Mbps; released in 1995.
  IEEE 1394a - An improvement over FireWire 400, adding support for
asynchronous streaming, packet concatenation, and a suspend mode for
reduced power consumption; released in 2000.
 FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) - Increased data transfer rate of up to 3200
Mbps using "beta mode" or using an optical cable; released in 2002.
 FireWire S800T (IEEE 1394c) - Technology improvements to provide 800
Mbps data transfer rate using the same connection as a Cat 5e cable;
released in June 2007.
 FireWire S1600 and S3200 - Capable of data transfer speeds of 1.57 Gbps
and 3.14 Gbps respectively, and are compatible with FireWire S400 and S800
devices; announced in December 2007.

 HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) - Used with monitors,

projectors, DVD/Blu-ray players, and other displays.

HDMI

Short for High-Definition Multimedia Interface, HDMI is a connector and cable

capable of transmitting high-quality and high-bandwidth audio and video streams
between devices. The HDMI technology is used with devices such as an HDTV (High-
Definition TeleVision), Projector, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player, or Blu-ray player.
The picture shows an HDMI cable from Mediabridge.

 MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) - Used with musical keyboards

and other equipment.
MIDI
Updated: 10/03/2024 by Computer Hope

Short for musical instrument digital interface, MIDI is a standard for digitally
representing and transmitting sounds that was developed in the 1980s. MIDI sound
is played back through the hardware device or computer either through a
synthesized audio sound or a waveform stored on the hardware device or computer.
The quality of how MIDI sounds when played back by the hardware device or
computer depends upon that device's capability.
Many older computer sound cards have a MIDI port, as shown in the top-right
picture. This port allows musical instrument devices to connect to the computer,
such as a MIDI keyboard or a synthesizer. Before connecting any MIDI devices to the
computer, purchase a cable that converts the MIDI/Game port connection to the
standard 5-pin DIN midi connector or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) to MIDI converter.
If you don't have a MIDI port, purchase a USB to MIDI converter cable.
 Mini plug - Used with headphones, microphones, and speakers.

Mini plug
Updated: 07/18/2024 by Computer Hope
A mini plug is a 3.5 mm male connector with
computer headphones, headset, microphone, and speakers that connect to the
computer's sound card. This plug is one example of how audio gets transmitted
from the computer to a peripheral device.
  Molex - A power cable used inside your computer.

Molex

Molex is the name of the company who develops computer and other related
connectors and products. Also known as a Molex power connector (pictured), it
connects your computer power supply to drives and devices inside the computer.
What devices use a Molex connector?
Almost all devices inside your computer use a Molex connector. Below are the
common devices that connect to a Molex connector.
  Hard drive
 Disc drive (e.g., CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), DVD (Digital
Versatile Disc), Blu-ray.)

Pin Wire Color Signal

1 Yellow +12v

2 Black Ground

3 Black Ground

4 Red +5v

 Video card
Molex diagram
Below is a diagram of the four Molex connectors and an explanation on each pin.

 IDE/EIDE - Used with hard drives and disc drives.

IDE
Updated: 09/12/2023 by Computer Hope
IDE may refer to any of the following:
1. Short for Integrated Drive Electronics, IDE is commonly known
as ATA or PATA (Parallel AT Attachment). It is a standard interface for IBM
computers that was created by Western Digital and Compaq in 1986 for compatible
hard drives and CD (Compact Disc) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drives. IDE is
different than SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) and ESDI (Enhanced Small
Disk Interface) because its controllers are on each drive, meaning the drive can
connect directly to the motherboard or controller. IDE and its updated successor,
EIDE (Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics), are common drive interfaces found in
IBM compatible computers. Below is a picture of the IDE connector on a hard drive,
IDE cable, and the IDE channels on the motherboard.

Note
The location of the 1 pin (first pin) on an IDE cable is usually designated by the red
stripe on one side of the cable. In the example picture above, the 1 pin is on the
right side of the cable.
  Parallel - Used with printers.

Parallel port
Updated: 03/10/2024 by Computer Hope
Less commonly called the Centronics interface, Centronics connector,
or Centronics port after the company that originally designed it, the port was later
developed by Epson. The parallel port is found on the back of IBM compatible
computers and is a 25-pin (type DB-25) computer interface commonly used to
connect printers to the computer.
 Where is the parallel port on a computer?
 Identifying a parallel port.
 Parallel port modes.
 Parallel port overview.
 What is the parallel port used for?
 Parallel ports on Apple computers.
 Related information.
Where is the parallel port on a computer?
The parallel port is found on the back of the computer and is part of
the motherboard. Below is an example of the DB25 interface found on the back of
the computer.

Note
With the introduction of USB (universal serial bus), FireWire, and other faster
solutions, parallel ports are rarely used anymore. Also, many new computers and
laptops no longer have a parallel port.
Identifying a parallel port
In the above picture, you can see the DB25 parallel port connection is easy to
identify because it's the biggest connection on the back of the computer. The
connection is in the shape of the letter "D," is a female connector, and has 25 holes.
Parallel port modes
The computer can have the parallel port run at different modes depending on your
needs and available resources. Some of these modes include: IEEE-
1284 (Auto), Centronics mode, Nibble Mode, SPP (Standard Parallel
Port), bidirectional, EPP (enhanced parallel port), and ECP (extended capabilities
port).
Parallel port overview
The DB25 connector had an 8-bit data bus and a maximum cable length of 15-feet.
Although there are 50 foot cables, it is not recommended that these cables be used
as it can create poor connection and data signals. Below is additional information
about each of the pins on this connector. Pin 1 through 25 identified in the image
above.
Pin Purpose

Pin 1 -Strobe

Pin 2 +Data Bit 0

Pin 3 +Data Bit 1

Pin 4 +Data Bit 2

Pin 5 +Data Bit 3

Pin 6 +Data Bit 4

Pin 7 +Data Bit 5

Pin 8 +Data Bit 6

Pin 9 +Data Bit 7

Pin 10 -Acknowledge

Pin 11 +Busy

Pin 12 +Paper End

Pin 13 +Select

Pin 14 -Auto Feed

Below explains each of the above purposes.

Pin1 - Data acknowledgement when the signal is low.
Pin 2-9 - Data transfer pins.
Pin 10 - Acknowledge that the data has finished processing and when the signal is
high indicates ready for more.
Pin 11 - When the signal goes high indicate that the printer has accepted the data
and its being processed. Once this signal goes low and Pin 10 goes high, more data
is ready to be accepted.
Pin 12 - Printer paper jam when signal is high or no signal if printer jam.
Pin 13 - When high signal printer is indicating that it is on-line and ready to print.
Pin 14 - When low signal PC has indicated that the printer inset a line feed after
each line.
Pin 15 - Printer sends data to the computer telling it that an error has occurred.
Pin 16 - When low signal PC has requested that the printer initiate an internal reset.
Pin 17 - When low signal the PC has selected the printer and should in return
prepare for data.
Pin 18-25 - Ground.

What is the parallel port used for?

Today, the parallel port has widely been replaced by the USB port. However, below
is a listing of various hardware components that were used with the parallel port.
Printer - The most common use for the parallel port.
Scanner - Another commonly used parallel device is a parallel port scanner. Parallel
port scanners are a popular alternative to SCSI scanners because of how easy they
are to install.
External drives - Parallel ports are popular with external drives such as
the Iomega Zip drive, which can be removed from one computer and connected to
another.
Parallel ports on Apple computers
The Apple Macintosh computers use SCSI (small computer system interface) as its
interface, which is parallel, but more flexible compared to the parallel port used with
IBM compatible computers. Apple computers have never used a parallel port.

 PS/2 - Used with keyboards and mice.

PS/2
Updated: 12/10/2023 by Computer Hope
PS/2 may refer to any of the following:
1. The PS/2 (Personal System/2) port, also called the mouse port or keyboard
port, was developed by IBM. It is used to connect a computer mouse or keyboard to
an IBM compatible computer. The PS/2 port is a mini DIN plug containing six pins
and is still sometimes found on all IBM compatible computers.
Note
Today, new computers use USB (Universal Serial Bus) for the keyboard and mouse.
The picture shows what the PS/2 ports may look like on the back of your computer.
As seen in the pictures, many computers have adopted the color codes purple and
teal as identifications for each of the port. The mouse is teal and the keyboard is
purple.
Note
PS/2 was featured as a top term of 1990.
Below, the picture shows a teal green PS/2 plug and an illustration of the PS/2
connection with its pin layouts.
  Why is my PS/2 port half purple and half green?
 What gender is the PS/2 port and plug?
 6 pin PS/2 specifications.
 Related information.

Why is my PS/2 port half purple and half green?

For newer motherboards that still have a PS/2 port, for backward compatibility there
may be one PS/2 port that is half purple and half green (teal). This port can accept
either a PS/2 keyboard or PS/2 mouse.
What gender is the PS/2 port and plug?
The PS/2 port is a female and the PS/2 plug is a male gender.
6 pin PS/2 specifications

Pin Voltage Assignment

1 +2.0 to +5.5v Keyboard Data

 2 +4.8 to +5.5v Reserved

3 Ground Ground

4 +2.0 to +5.5v +5.0V DC

5 +2.0 to +5.5v Keyboard Clock

6 +2.0 to +5.5v Reserved

Related information
 How to connect and install a computer mouse.
 How to connect and install a computer keyboard.
 Keyboard help and support.
 Mouse and touchpad help and support.
2. PS/2 was an IBM computer introduced in 1987. It featured improved graphics,
a 3.5-inch diskette drive, a proprietary bus to help prevent clone makers
competition, and a bidirectional 8-bit port.
3. PS2 is short for PlayStation 2, see our PlayStation page for further information
about this console and other PlayStation consoles.

 S-Video - Used with projectors, digital cameras, and other displays.

S-Video
Updated: 01/31/2019 by Computer Hope
Alternatively called Y/C video, S-Video is short for Super Video. It is a video
transmission format, and a type of connection found on video devices. It uses a
round connector interface, and cable that transmits video luminance (Y) and
chrominance (C) signals separately. When received by the TV or other display
devices, this generates a better picture compared to composite video. The picture
shows an example of an S-Video connector on the back of a video card.

 S/PDIF - Used with DVD (digital versatile disc) and surround sound.

S/PDIF
Updated: 09/12/2023 by Computer Hope

Short for Sony and Phillips Digital Interconnect Format,

the S/PDIF or SPDIF interface transmits digital audio in a compressed form
between audio equipment and home theater systems. The S/PDIF interface can
utilize a coaxial cable or a fiber optic cable to transmit the audio. Common
equipment to use this interface are DVD (digital versatile disc) players and CD
(compact disc) players, connecting to a home theater system for Dolby Digital
or DTS (Digital Theater Sound) surround sound. High-quality sound
cards and laptops also have this connector. The first picture shows what the SPDIF
connector may look like on your computer motherboard.
The audio transmitted through the S/PDIF interface is defined by
the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 61937 standard. The common
formats transmitted are the 48 kHz sample rate, which is used in DAT (Digital Audio
Tape), and the 44.1 kHz sample rate (used in CD audio). The second picture shows a
fiber optic connection on the back of audio equipment.

 SATA (Serial AT Attachment) - Used with hard drives and disc drives.
Short for Serial ATA or Serial AT Attachment, SATA 1.0 was released in
August 2001 and is a replacement for the parallel ATA interface used in IBM
compatible computers. SerialATA can deliver 1.5 Gbps (approximately 187 MBps) of
performance to each drive within a disk array. It is backward-compatible with ATA
and ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface) devices, and offers a thin, small cable
solution, as seen in the "SATA Data Cable" picture. This cable helps makes cable
routing easier and offers better airflow in the computer compared to the earlier
ribbon cables used with ATA drives.
SATA also supports external drives through External SATA is called eSATA. eSATA
offers many more advantages compared to other solutions. For example, it is hot-
swappable, supports faster transfer speeds with no bottleneck issues
like USB (Universal Serial Bus) and FireWire, and supports disk drive technologies
(e.g., S.M.A.R.T.).
However, eSATA does have some disadvantages, such as not distributing power
through the cable like USB, which means drives require an external power source.
The eSATA cable also supports a maximum length of up to 2 meters. Because of
these disadvantages don't plan on eSATA becoming the only external solution for
computers.

What hardware uses the SATA cable?

The SATA cable is used with hard drives but is also used with drives, such as disc
drives.
Tip
Earlier computers used an EIDE (Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics)
or SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) and not a SATA cable.
How many pins does SATA have?
There are two types of SATA cables. The SATA data cable that transmits the data
between the drive and the motherboard has seven pins. The SATA power cable that
connects to the power supply has fifteen pins.
Where is the SATA connector on the motherboard?
The location of the SATA connector on a motherboard varies by motherboard
manufacturer. Often these connectors are found on one of the edges of the
motherboard for easy access. See the picture of a motherboard for an example of a
motherboard with SATA connectors on the left side of the motherboard.
 SCSI (small computer system interface) - Used with hard drives, tape drives,
and disc drives.

SCSI
Updated: 08/16/2024 by Computer Hope
Short for small computer system interface, SCSI is pronounced
as "Scuzzy" and is an interface for disk drives that was first completed in 1982.
Unlike competing standards, SCSI can support eight devices, or sixteen devices with
Wide SCSI. However, with the SCSI host adapter on ID number 07 and booting from
the ID 00. This leaves the availability of six device connections. In the picture below,
is an example of a SCSI adapter expansion card with an internal and external
connection. Once installed in the computer, this adapter would allow multiple SCSI
devices to be installed in the computer. More advanced motherboard may also have
available SCSI connections on the motherboard.

SCSI-1 is the original SCSI standard developed back in 1986 as ANSI (American
National Standards Institute) X3.131-1986. SCSI-1 can transfer up to eight bits a
second.
SCSI-2 was approved in 1990, added new features such as Fast and Wide SCSI, and
support for additional devices.
SCSI-3 was approved in 1996 as ANSI X3.270-1996.
SCSI is a standard for parallel interfaces that transfers information at a rate of eight
bits per second and faster, which is faster than the average parallel interface. SCSI-
2 and above supports up to seven peripheral devices, such as a hard drive, CD-
ROM (compact disc read-only memory), and scanner. They can all attach to a single
SCSI port on a system's bus. SCSI ports were designed for Apple Macintosh and Unix
computers, but also can be used with PCs. Although SCSI was popular in the past,
today it has largely been superseded by faster connection types, such
as SATA (Serial AT Attachment).
SCSI connectors
The illustrations below are examples of commonly-used SCSI connectors or SCSI
ports on computers and devices.

 Serial (RS-232) - Used with a mouse and Modem.

Serial port
Updated: 06/30/2020 by Computer Hope

An asynchronous port on the computer used to connect a serial device to the

computer that transmits one bit at a time. Serial ports are usually identified on
IBM-compatible computers as COM (communications) ports. For example,
a mouse might connect to COM1 and a modem to COM2. The picture shows
the DB9 serial connector on a cable.
Where is the serial port on a computer?
The serial port is found on the back of older computers and is part of
the motherboard.
Note
With the introduction of USB (universal serial bus), FireWire, and other faster
solutions, serial ports are rarely used compared to how often they've been used in
the past. Also, many new computers and laptops no longer have a serial port.

Identifying a serial port

In the above graphic of a serial port, you can notice the DB9 serial port connection
is easy to identify. The connection is in the shape of the letter D, is a male
connector, and has 9 pins.
What is the serial port used for?
Below is a listing of various hardware components that can be purchased and used
with your serial port.
Mouse - One of the most commonly used devices for serial ports, usually used with
computers with no PS/2 or USB ports and specialty mice.
Modem - Another commonly used device for serial ports. Used commonly with
older computers, however, is also commonly used for its ease of use.
Network - One of the original uses of the serial port, which allowed two computers
to connect together and allow large files to be transferred between the two.
Printer - Today, this not a commonly used device for serial ports. However, was
frequently used with older printers and plotters.
Serial port pin information
Below is a listing of each of the pins on the DB9 connector, their purpose, and signal
name.
Note
With many computers, the serial port is labeled as "10101" which are ones and
zeros to represent binary. A user may also interpret the number "1" as the letter "I"
and the zeros as the letter "O" and call it the "IOIOI" port.
As shown above, pin one is in the top-left portion of the port and pin 9 is in the
bottom right.

Pin Purpose Signal Name

1 Data Carrier Detect DCD

2 Received Data RxData

3 Transmitted Data TxData

4 Data Terminal Ready DTR

5 Signal Ground Gnd

6 Data Set Ready DSR

7 Request To Send RTS

8 Clear To Send CTS

9 Ring Indicator RI

 Thunderbolt - Primarily used with Apple displays and devices.

Thunderbolt
Updated: 05/06/2024 by Computer Hope

Originally marketed under the name Light Peak, Thunderbolt is

an interface used to connect peripheral devices to a computer. It is
a serial interface that combines existing PCI
Express and DisplayPort technologies. It allows long distance data transfer
over cheaper cables capable of carrying DC power.

The technology was developed by Apple and Intel, but Intel owns the rights
to it. Apple helped bring the technology to market by including it in the
updated MacBook Pro models on February 24, 2011.

Thunderbolt versions

The first two iterations of Thunderbolt can transfer data at a rate of up to 20

Gb/s and utilize the same connector you can find on a Mini DisplayPort cable.
The third version can transfer data at a rate of up to 40 Gb/s and utilizes
a USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C connector.

What materials make up a Thunderbolt cable?

There are two types of Thunderbolt cables, one which utilizes copper wiring
and the other utilizing optical wiring. Although Thunderbolt cables were
originally intended to use fiber optic cables, those versions have had limited
releases. Copper wiring is much cheaper and allows the cables to supply
power, which is why it was used almost exclusively. Eventually, Intel intends
to combine both copper and optical wiring for the faster bandwidth speeds of
optical, while utilizing the power of copper wiring.
  USB - Used with keyboard, mouse, printer, MP3 players, and thousands of
other devices.

USB
Updated: 08/16/2024 by Computer Hope

Short for universal serial bus, USB (pronounced yoo-ess-bee) is a plug and
play interface that allows a computer to communicate with peripherals and other
devices. USB-connected devices include keyboards, mice, music players, flash
drives. USB may also be utilized for power delivery. For instance, as you may
already know, smartphones and tablets are charged using USB cables.
The following sections contain additional information about the USB standard. We
suggest reading through them all in order, but you can also select specific topics
from the list below.
Note
USB was featured as a top term in 1996, and USB 2.0 was as a top term in 2001.

USB devices
Today, different devices connect to your computer via USB. Here are some of the
most common ones:
 Bluetooth transmitter
 Digital Camera
 External storage
 Gamepad
 Headset
 iPod or other MP3 players
 Joystick
 Jump drive, aka thumb drive
 Keyboard
 Microphone
 Monitor
 Mouse
 Numeric Keypad
 Printer
 Scanner
 Smartphone
 Sound card
  Speaker
 Tablet
 Webcam
 WiFi adapter
USB connection types
USB ports and connectors come in different shapes and sizes. Desktop and laptop
computer users are likely familiar with USB Type-A as it has been used on these
devices for nearly 30 years. This section shows examples of several USB connection
types with brief descriptions below the image.

USB Type-A
The USB Type-A (sometimes USB-A) connector features the original shape found
with versions 1.0 through 3.1. While many devices still utilize these ports and
cables, many manufacturers have moved to USB-C for its superior features, transfer
rates, and reversible connector.
Mini-USB
Mini-USB, or mini-B, was used with digital cameras and other
computer peripherals. However, it has largely been replaced by Micro-USB and USB-
C cables on newer devices.
Micro-USB
Micro-USB, announced in 2007, was designed to replace Mini-USB. There are two
varieties of Micro-USB: Micro-A and Micro-B. Both have a connector size of 6.85 x
1.8 mm, although Micro-A connectors feature a larger maximum overmold size,
which helps with rigidity. Micro-USB cables connect computer peripherals, video
game controllers, and can charge smartphones. While many companies are have
upgraded to USB Type-C connectors, Micro-USB can still be found some electronic
devices.
USB Type-C
The USB Type-C (more commonly USB-C) connectors are featured on most
modern smartphones, flagship laptops, and other similar electronics. Unlike their
predecessors, USB-C cables are reversible, meaning they plug in correctly
regardless of whether or not they are "upside down."
In addition to charging batteries and transferring data, USB-C cables can display
video. For this reason (as well as their thinner profile), some manufacturers have
removed either standard USB-A or HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) ports
in favor of USB-C. A good example of this practice is with the newer series
of MacBook laptops.
USB versions and transfer speeds
USB 1.x is an external bus standard with data transfer rates of 12 Mbps and can
support up to 127 peripheral devices. The first commercial release of the Universal
Serial Bus (version 1.0) was in January 1996. This industry standard was then
quickly adopted by Intel, Compaq, Microsoft, and other companies.
USB 2.0, also known as Hi-Speed USB, was developed by Compaq, Hewlett
Packard, Intel, Lucent, Microsoft, NEC, and Phillips and was introduced in 2001. It
can have transfer rates of up to 480 megabits per second (Mbps) or
60 megabytes per second (MBps).
USB 3.0, also known as SuperSpeed (Gen1), was released in November 2009 by
Buffalo Technology. However, the first certified devices utilizing this technology,
which included motherboards from ASUS and Gigabyte Technology, weren't
commercially available until January 2010. Dell began including USB 3.0 ports in
their Inspiron and Dell XPS series computers in April 2011.
USB 3.0 improves upon the 2.0 version with speed,
performance, bandwidth increases, and improved power management. It provides
two unidirectional data paths, allowing its cables to send and receive data
simultaneously. USB 3.0 transfer rates are up to 5.0 gigabits per second (Gbps) or
640 megabytes per second (MBps).
USB 3.1, also known as SuperSpeed+ (Gen2), was made available on July
31, 2013. It has transfer rates of up to 10 Gbps, speeds that are on par with the first
generation of Apple's Thunderbolt channel. The 3.1 version also has the most recent
USB-C type connector (though 3.0 and man 3.1 connections still utilized USB-A).
USB4, or USB 4.0, was released on August 29, 2019. Once again improving upon
its predecessors, USB4 features transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps. A second version
of USB4, released on October 18, 2022, saw an increase to 80 Gbps in throughput.
Furthermore, USB4 lets a single, high-speed data link be shared between multiple
devices dynamically. Connectors using this version also require the USB-C physical
layout (24-pin oval, reversible) and have to support power delivery.

USB version compatibility

Each USB version is backward compatible and forward compatible, meaning it
supports any version below or above its current number. However, without
an adapter, the connector and port may not be the same shape. For example, a USB
Type-C connector won't work with a USB Type-A port.
That said, devices designed with USB 1.1 and 2.0 technology work in a 3.0 port and
vice versa. However, it should be noted that devices with lower version numbers
run at their native transfer speeds even though a USB 3.0 port can accept higher
transfer rates. Similarly, if you connect a USB 3.0 device to a 2.0 port, the 3.0
device's max transfer rate is limited to the capacity of the 2.0 port.
USB cables lengths
USB cables are available in multiple lengths, from a few inches to over 16 feet. The
maximum length of a USB cable is 16 feet 5 inches (5 meters) for high-speed
devices and 9 feet 10 inches (3 meters) for low-speed devices. These maximum
lengths are due to data transfer timing and the risk of data loss if using longer cable
lengths. So, while USB extension cables can connect one end of a USB cable to
another, it's best to avoid exceeding the combined maximum transfer distance of
16 feet 5 inches. However, you can connect two USB cables to effectively extend
their length without data loss using USB hubs.
Where are USB ports located?
All modern computers have at least one USB port. Below is a list of the locations
where you'll find them.
 Desktop PCs - A desktop computer usually has two to four ports in the front
and two to eight ports in the back.
 Laptops - A laptop computer has between one and four ports located on
either side of the device.
 Tablets - The charging ports on these devices are usually Micro-USB or USB-C.
Some tablets have additional ports USB ports.
 Smartphones - Like tablets, the Micro-USB or USB-C ports on smartphones are
used for charging and, in some instances, even carry video signals.
 VGA/SVGA - Used with monitors and projectors.
VGA
Updated: 04/30/2020 by Computer Hope
Short for Video Graphics Adapter or Video Graphics Array, VGA is a popular
display standard developed by IBM and introduced in 1987. VGA provides 640 x
480 resolution color display screens with a refresh rate of 60 Hz and 16 colors
displayed at a time. If the resolution is lowered to 320 x 200, 256 colors are shown.
VGA utilizes analog signals, which means it's only capable of lower resolutions and a
lower quality display on screens.
VGA cable and connector

The picture above is a VGA/SVGA cable and connector used with a computer
monitor.
Tip
The VGA standard is replaced by SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array) and, although
these cables and connectors are still called VGA, they are technically SVGA.
What attaches or uses the VGA connector?
The VGA connector is used for display devices and is used to connect a computer to
a monitor, projector, or TV.
What has replaced the VGA connector?
It is not uncommon to still find a VGA cable and connector with today's computers,
monitors, projectors, and TVs. However, this type of connector is becoming obsolete
and being replaced by the DVI (Digital Visual Interface), HDMI (High-Definition
Multimedia Interface), DisplayPort cable and connector.

VGA pin functions

The illustration shows the 15-pin VGA connector, its pin assignments, and size
dimensions. As shown, the VGA connector has 15 holes, and each hole (pin) has its
own function, as explained in the below chart.

Pin Function

1 Red Video

2 Green Video

3 Blue Video

4 Monitor ID 2

5 TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic) Ground (monitor self-test)

6 Red Analog Ground

 7 Green Analog Ground

8 Blue Analog Ground

9 Key (Plugged Hole)

10 Sync Ground

11 Monitor ID 0

12 Monitor ID 1

13 Horizontal Sync

14 Vertical Sync

15 Monitor ID 3

LIGHTNING

Lightning is the latest generation of iPhone/iPad connectors, and it is specific to

Apple devices only. Well, the certain half-eaten fruit company definitely has no love
for the mainstream standards.
3.5MM AUDIO JACK

This is another one that is commonly seen everywhere, but take note of the number
of black stripes on the connectors.
• • The one with 2 black stripes is what we call a 3 pole connector.
• • While the one with 3 stripes is called a 4 pole connector.

The reason for that extra pole is to support an additional microphone on the
earphones/headphones. So yep, just be aware that they are different.

OPTICAL FIBER AUDIO CABLE

Unlike the traditional copper wires, this one uses light to transmit data,
and thus called “optical fiber”. Although expensive, the reason why some
people may choose optical fiber is that copper wires have a tendency to
introduce noise (static sound).
Light signals do not introduce noise, and that results in a cleaner sound.
Just don’t stare into the ends of the optical fiber cable, some may use
lasers and can blind people.

TELEPHONE

Well, you should know this from your home telephone, and it is also
connected to AIO printers to send out faxes. Call this RJ11 if people want
to get technical.

FIBER OPTIC CABLE

When it comes to a faster Internet – Electricity and light are 2 of the
fastest things that we use to transmit data. But sadly, copper wires are
reaching the technical limitations for data transfer. The newer generations
of “serious networking devices” are skewed towards using fiber optic
cables for ultra-fast data transfers.

POWER CORDS

The power cords of a computer comply with the IEC standards, which is the same as
almost all of our other household appliances. Here are 3 of the common power
plugs that you see in computers:
• IEC 60320 C13 &C14: The standard plug for desktop computers. Also known as
the “kettle plug”, because it looks just like the one we use for electrical kettles.
• IEC 60320 C5 & C6: This is the standard plug for the chargers of most laptops,
also known as the “cloverleaf”.
• IEC 60320 C7 & C8: Yet another standard plug for the chargers of laptops and
even some speakers.

DC BARREL JACK
The common Joe that you see everywhere in the world of electronics. But take note
– Even though it looks the same, these actually come in different diameter sizes.