SITSS Helpdesk
Tel: 01438 844777 Fax: 01438 844936 email: sitss.technical@ lea.herts.sch.uk
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Common PC Connections

The SITSS technical team have prepared this page to help schools understand various common computer connections and cables. Please find below a diagram labelling common connections, more detailed information is shown below.

In this picture, you will notice that most connections are colour coded. If your PC has colour coded connections, you should find that your cables are also colour coded to simplify the connection process.

1. PS2 (Mouse) – Green.

   This is where you would attach your PS2 mouse. A lot of new mice now come with the USB type connection (see 2).

2. USB.

   This is the newest of computer connections, USB ports may also be found at the front of the PC and sometimes on other external devices such as Monitors. More and more devices are now produced with USB connections and can include: Mice, Keyboards, Printers, Scanners, Digital Cameras and Memory Sticks.

3. Parallel (Printer) – Pink.

   This connection is best known for connecting printers and scanners to the computer, now becoming less common due to the new USB type connection (see 2).

4. RJ45 (Network).

   This connection is used to attach the PC to a computer network.

5. Audio (Line In) – Blue.

   This connection allows you to attach the output of an external audio device, such as a stereo, to your PC.

6. Audio (Line Out) – Green.

   This connection is used to attach your PC to external speakers.

7. Audio (Microphone) – Red.

   This connection allows you to attach a microphone to your PC.

8. VGA (Monitor) – Blue.

   One of the fundamental PC connections, this allows you to connect your PC to a monitor.

9. Serial – Dark Green.

   Legacy devices such as Optical Mark Readers and Data Loggers would use this connection to your PC. The new USB type connections are making the serial connection less common (see 2).

10. PS2 (Keyboard) – Purple.

    This is where you would attach your PS2 keyboard. A few new keyboards now come with the USB type connection (see 2); however they are not as common as USB mice.

11. Power (NOT PICTURED).

    Probably the most obvious of the PC connections, as it is used in many other electrical devices such as Printers and Kettles.

Common Problems:

• Keyboards and Mice – It can be quite easy to plug your keyboard or mouse into the wrong PS2 socket and your keyboard and mouse will not work. To resolve this issue, shut down your PC and swap your keyboard and mouse cables around.
• Audio – As all three of the audio connections use the common jack plug that you would find on headphones, it can be quite easy to plug your cables into the wrong socket. If you have audio problems, the first thing to double check is that the cable is in the correct socket. Speakers will also have a connection at the other end of the cable, so make sure that is inserted correctly and, where necessary, the speakers are powered on.