Cables and Connectors

Before using a computer, we should be able to identify different cables and connectors that are connected to the computer.

1. Power cord :

The computer has two power cords. One connects the system unit to electric supply, and the other connects the monitor to the power supply or to SMPS of a system unit.

2. Monitor Cable :

One end of this is attached to the monitor. The other end, is a D-shaped connector with tiny pins, plugs into the port marked as 'video' or 'monitor' on the back of the system unit.

3. Mouse Cable :

The mouse connector is normally a 9-pin D-Connector or a round shaped connector called PS/2 which plugs into the Serial or COM1 port at the back of the system unit.

4. Keyboard Cable :

The Keyboard cable plugs into the round socket or a 9 pin D-Type connector labelled 'keyboard' at the back of the system unit.

5. Printer Cable :

Printers are supplied with a parallel cable or USB (Universal Serial Bus) Cable for connection to a computer. One end plugs into a port on the back panel of the computer system unit, and the other end plugs into the printer. Plug the large connector (Parallel) or small connector (USB) at the end of the printer cable, i.e., into the port at the back of the printer. Plug the other end of the cable into the parallel port or USB port on the back of the system unit. This may be Labelled  "Parallel" or "LPTI" or "USB".