External+Connectors


 * 1) ==== //**Power Cord**// ====
 * 2) ==== //**Mouse Connector**// ====
 * 3) ==== //**USB Connector 1**// ====
 * 4) ==== //**USB Connector 2**// ====
 * 5) ==== //**Serial Connector 2**// ====
 * 6) ==== //**Parallel Connector**// ====
 * 7) ==== //**Joystick / MIDI**// ====
 * 8) ==== //**Microphone Connector**// ====
 * 9) ==== //**Audio Input Connector**// ====
 * 10) ==== //**Audio Output Connector**// ====
 * 11) ==== //**Monitor Connector**// ====
 * 12) ==== //**Serial Connector 1**// ====
 * 13) ==== //**Keyboard Connector**// ====

(Lenovo, 2010).
====The External Connectors on a PC or laptop allow the computer device to be connected to the outside world and without them the computer wouldn't work and it would just be taking up space on your desk as a fancy paper weight.====

====**Definition:** External Connectors are the connections generally located at the back of your computer that provide ports to connect any external devices such as speakers, keyboard, mouse. The most common external connectors are listed and shown in the diagram above.====

**Standard Specifications and Functions:**
====//** 1. Power Cord: ﻿ **// The power cord connector at the back of the computer allows the computer user to plug the computer into a power source, which is a handy device when you want to turn your computer on. ====

====//** 2. Mouse Connector: ﻿ **// The mouse connector allows the computer user to plug the mouse into the back of the computer, which allows the computer to recognize the mouse and thus the user can use the mouse to control the computer. ====

**// 3 + 4. USB Connector 1 and 2: ﻿ //** USB Connectors allow the computer user to connect items such as JumpJacks, External Data Devices, Cameras and even Cellphones.
====//** 5 +12. Serial Connector 1 and 2: **// ﻿The serial connectors are used for massive storage devices and the device that uses Serial ports that I recognized was the Flat screen (LCD or Plasma) monitors. The Serial Connectors can also be used for devices such as a projector. I used the Serial Port on my laptop to hook up a projector for a PowerPoint Presentation. ====

==== ﻿**//6. Parallel Connector://** ﻿The parallel connector is used to connect external devices such as a printer or scanner to your computer. This way if you decide to print a document your computer can send the message to the printer connected to your external parallel connector. ====

====**// 7. Joystick / MIDI: //** This connector allows the computer user to connect a Joystick controller to the computer which aids in games such as Need for Speed or Laura Croft Tomb Raider, which I'm positive are no longer being played on PCs because of the boom in Xbox and Playstation popularity. ====

====**// 9 + 10. Audio Input and Output Connectors: //** ﻿Audio Input and Output Connectors allow the computer user to connect speakers to the computer, which makes listening to music and watching movies much more enjoyable. ====

The video below is a demonstration about how to install speakers into the external connectors.
media type="custom" key="9592794"

==== ﻿**How it Affects the End User:** Without external connectors the computer user would have an extremely difficult time using a computer because the computer wouldn't even turn on. External connectors allow power to the computer, mouse connections, keyboard connections and other essential devices that are needed in order to simply use the computer. External connectors also provide ports for USB connections. For example, I use the USB port to connect my JumpJack and transfer my homework to my computer. Speakers are also connected to the rear of the computer, which allow the computer user to listen to music, watch movies or even ridiculous YouTube videos on the computer. External connectors allow the computer to be connected with the outside world. ====

//** Resources Utilized for this Page: **//
Lenova. (2010). //Locating Rear Connectors// [image]. Retrieved from [] Lenova. (2010). //Locating Rear Connectors.// Retrieved from [] eHow.com. (2011). How to Install Computer Speakers [Video File]. Retrieved from []