COMPUTER HARDWARE MAI TAINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
NAME: NIKHIL R
SEM: 3rd SEM
REG NO: 413CS21026
SUBJECT: COMPUTER HARDWARE MAI TAINANCE
AND ADMINISTRATION
ACTIVITY: 01
TOPIC: IDENTIFY THE CABLES AND LIST THE
DEVICES THAT CAN BE CONNECTED TO
COMPUTER USING THESE CABLES
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COMPUTER HARDWARE MAI TAINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTER-1
Identify the cables and list the devices that can be connected to
computer using these cables
With so many types of cables, it’s hard to find a singular source of information that
highlights the important differences between them all. Here’s an overview of the most
common computer cable types you’ll encounter when dealing with computers.
1. VGA Cable
Also known as D-sub cable, analog video cable
Connect one end to: computer monitor, television (PC input port)
Connect other end to: VGA port on computer (see image below)
2. DVI Cable
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COMPUTER HARDWARE MAI TAINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Connect one end to: computer monitor
Connect other end to: DVI port on computer (see image below)
However there are 2 types of DVI, DVI-I and DVI-D.
DVI-D does not have the extra pins around the long pin, this is also a pure digital
signal over DVI-I.
3. HDMI Cable
Connect one end to: computer monitor, television
Connect other end to: HDMI port on computer (see image below)
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COMPUTER HARDWARE MAI TAINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Note: If you're hooking up a television to your computer, then we would recommend
that you use a HDMI cable as your PC cable connection since it is able to transmit
both display and sound - So you can not only use your TV screen as a monitor, but
also make use of your TV speakers to play PC audio.
4. PS/2 Cable
Connect one end to: PS/2 keyboard, PS/2 mouse
Connect other end to: PS/2 ports on computer (see image below)
Purple PS/2 port: keyboard
Green PS/2 port: mouse
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COMPUTER HARDWARE MAI TAINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
5. Ethernet Cable
Also known as RJ-45 cable
Connect one end to: router, network switch
Connect other end to: Ethernet port on computer (see image below)
6. 3.5mm Audio Cable
Also known as phone connector (since 3.5mm jacks are often found on mobile phones
too)
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COMPUTER HARDWARE MAI TAINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Connect one end to: computer speakers, 3.5mm headphones, 3.5mm microphone
Connect other end to: audio ports on computer (see image below use Green socket)
Green audio port: computer speakers or headphones
Pink audio port: microphone
Blue audio port: MP3 player, CD player, DVD player, turntable, electric guitar etc (line-in
port to play and record sounds from the above devices)
7. USB Cable
For USB computer cable connections, there are two popular formats: USB 2.0 and the
newer USB 3.0
How to tell USB 2.0 and 3.0 cables apart: USB 3.0 cables have a blue tip, and
sometimes you can find a SS "Super Speed" label on it.
Since USB was intended to be the one computer cable connection to replace them all,
it's no surprise that the possible uses for a USB port are quite mind-blowing. For this
computer cable guide, we have listed its more common uses below:
Connect one end to: USB device
Storage devices: USB flash drive, external hard drive, external optical drive
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COMPUTER HARDWARE MAI TAINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Input devices: USB keyboard (wired and wireless), USB mouse (wired and wireless),
webcam, scanner, gamepad
Output devices: printer, all-in-one office machine, USB speaker
Wireless adapters: network (Wi-Fi) adapter, bluetooth adapter, 3G adapter
Data (and charging) cable for mobile devices such as mobile phone, tablet, MP3 player
Connect other end to: USB ports on computer (see image below)
How to tell USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports apart: USB 2.0 ports have black tips while USB 3.0
ports come with blue tips. See image below:
USB 3.0 is backwards-compatible... meaning that you can connect a USB 2.0 device to
a USB 3.0 port and vice versa (but the USB 3.0 devices hooked up to a USB 2.0 port
will perform at lowered rates)
There are also USB cables which connect new external backup drives (see below),
these are described as USB-A to Micro-B
8. Computer Power Cord (Kettle Plug)
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COMPUTER HARDWARE MAI TAINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Connect one end to: AC power socket
Connect other end to: power supply unit (see image below), computer monitor
Note: Always turn off your power supply unit (with the 1-0 switch at the back) before
connecting a power cord to it.
9. ThunderBolt/USB-C
Mostly seen on laptops and Apple Macs these cables are high speed and are capable
of carrying Data, video and other information.
There are 2 current types of Thunderbolt, the older version Thunderbolt 2 is seen
below but this can also be confused with Mini Display ports as they look identical and
only visual difference is the picture beside the port. Thunderbolt 2 (left) has a
lightning symbol and carries Data and video.
The Mini Display Port (right) will only carry Video.
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COMPUTER HARDWARE MAI TAINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
And Thunderbolt 3 also known as USB-C on Apple Macs.
10. Display Port
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Display Port is the best to use if you require a fast, high-resolution image.
The cable has better quality over HDMI and is the best option if you have this
interface.
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