PCs For Dummies Quick Reference
Chapter One
Connecting Stuff
If your life's technical experience includes only plugging something
into the wall, boy, are you in for a surprise!
Yes, computers do plug into the wall - several times and in several
ways. More than that, computer gadgets and gizmos plug into each
other. Unlike your stereo system, where most of the cables look
alike, on the computer just about every cable is different: different
shape, different color, different way to plug it in. This chapter
covers the basics of plugging stuff in.
About Computer Cables
A computer cable is described by which port it plugs into and its
length.
For example, to connect a printer to the console, you use a printer
cable. A USB device (including printers) connects by using a
USB cable. A monitor uses a monitor cable.
One exception is networking, which is done by using Cat-5 cable,
though you can say "networking cable" and the guy in the computer
store won't mock you. The connector on the console is called
an RJ-45, but networking cable isn't "RJ-45 cable." It's Cat-5.
Some cables are permanently attached to their devices: The mouse
and keyboard have such cables, for example. Other cables are s ... read full excerpt from PCs for Dummies Quick Reference, 3rd Edition ebook
