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A 120VAC-to-5VDC USB converter is an electronic component that charges cell phones, MP3 players and other equipment from a standard household outlet. This type of converter uses a modern, switching power supply design that is more compact, lightweight and efficient than traditional linear supplies – a typical unit takes up no more space than a child’s alphabet block.
A DB9 to USB converter allows you to extend the functionality of your computer or laptop. Typically consisting of either a male or female nine-pin serial plug on one end and a USB connector on the other, such a converter proves useful when you need an extra USB port or want to connect a serial device such as a scanner, printer or camera to your computer.
USB to XLR converters allow professional low-impedance microphones and analog sound mixers to interface with computers for recording or streaming broadcast use. Computer USB ports allow many input device types, but the input signal must be optimized for the intended use, wired properly and be physically compatible for connection in order to achieve desired results. Converters also contain "plug and play" software drivers for computer recognition.
Although they're becoming rarer, a number of devices still use a DB9 serial connection for communication or debugging, such as networking and other specialized equipment. This can present a problem, as most desktop computers and laptops no longer have serial ports as standard, using the faster USB standard for interfacing with other hardware. If this is the case, you can use a low-cost USB-to-serial converter, allowing you to connect serial devices using your computer's USB ports.
A bi-directional Universal Serial Bus-to-parallel cable or converter allows you to convert a line printer's connector, also known as "parallel" or "LPT," to a USB connector for use on modern computers. The cable or converter contains a parallel connector on one end and a USB connector on the other end. Your computer's operating system completes the conversion by locating and loading the proper device driver for the printer.
The Goldwing GL1500 is a motorcycle, created by Honda, that allows one or two people to travel long distances in a small vehicle. If you wish to connect USB devices to your motorcycle in order to charge them, first connect a cigarette lighter to your motorcycle, then make use of an additional special adapter.
CBM USB flash drives are an early version of the USB flash drive, released in the latter years of the 1990's. Since these flash drives are so old, a driver must be installed on your computer before you can properly use the drive. Fortunately, the driver is easy to locate and install.
In 2011, cellphones, MP3 players and other tech gadgets have the option to recharge their batteries over a universal serial bus, or USB, connection. The USB port is a rectangular socket found on most computers made since around 2000. In addition to providing two-way data communications, it also serves as a power outlet. Converters for direct current (DC) outlets, such as your car's cigarette lighter socket, provide a USB connector for recharging your portable devices.
RCA usually refers to composite video, which uses a single yellow RCA push-in connector for video signals, and red and white connectors for the left and right audio. To send signals from a VCR, DVD player or video camera to a USB port on a computer, you must use an adapter to capture the video and audio. The electronics in the adapter converts the audio and video to digital signals that you can store in your computer files and edit at a later time. You must be able to load the drivers onto your computer from the disc that comes…
Generally, computers connect to network equipment, such as modems or routers, through the use of an Ethernet cable. However, if you have a computer that has no Ethernet port, you will be unable to use the Ethernet cable. Fortunately, you can still convert your Ethernet signal to a USB signal by making use of a special converter.
The Personal System/2 or "PS/2" is a type of connection port mainly used with computer peripherals. Many brands of PC have a PS/2 interface for the connection of their mouse and keyboard. It can be recognized by a round connection piece approximately a half-inch in diameter with six small pins within the opening of the connector. The exterior usually has a flat side to ensure proper connection. A metallic version of this cable has an added function that gives it more security to hold it in place, via a locking mechanism. With the added function comes a specific method by…
If you want to transfer data easily between your camera, your phone and your computer or tablet, you will need to find a way to convert a USB drive into a virtual SD flash card. A USB drive is a memory device that has a thick rectangle tip, while an SD card is a memory device that is flat like a credit card. These two devices are not interchangeable. To convert a USB drive into a virtual SD flash card, you can either buy what is now called a USD card that does both or you can purchase a converter.
Computer PS/2 ports feature six pin connections, arranged in a circular pattern. PS/2 keyboards and mice feature male connectors, while IBM-compatible PCs that include PS/2 interface feature female connectors. Many PS/2-compatible keyboard, mouse and motherboard manufacturers will color-code the connections in order to better facilitate the computer setup process. Connecting a PS/2 keyboard or mouse to a compatible computer is an easy task that takes less than a minute to complete, when using the proper methods.
MiniSD cards are often used in devices such as digital cameras, digital camcorders and certain cell phones. They use a technology known as solid state memory that allows information to be transfered to and from the card without the use of a magnetic-based technology most commonly found in standard hard drives. Information such as pictures and video are stored in a computer chip inside the card, which makes miniSD cards ideal for devices that are often exposed to environments that would be deemed less than ideal for magnetic media storage devices. Transfer of files from a miniSD card can be…
Before USB cable connection ports became the norm for hooking up external hardware to a computer, serial cable connections serviced as the go-to method. These serial connections are known as RS232. There are two different RS232 connections. The most common is the DB9, which contains nine small pins which connect to a flat cable. This is similar to the VGA connection port used for a monitor. The larger RS232 DB25 connection contains 25 different pins inside the cable. If you want to connect an RS232 based device to your laptop, you must install a converter cable into an available USB…
RS232 cables are serial connections that come in two different sizes. The smaller RS232 serial cable has a series of nine metal connector points, while the larger version has 25 different metal connector points. RS232 served as the default cable connection for computers before USB, but with the newer, smaller and faster USB port, serial ports are no longer installed on a computer. In order to use RS232-based devices on a newer computer, you need to install an RS232-to-USB cable adapter.
Some computer owners demand maximum portability from notebook computers, and with much of today's software available on the Internet, you are unlikely to encounter many problems if you purchase a thin notebook without an optical drive -- unless you need to install an operating system. Most operating systems still ship on optical discs. However, you can circumvent this problem by making a USB key bootable and using a computer with an optical drive to copy the contents of an operating system disk to the USB key.
The RS232 is a USB-to-serial cable connection. This allows you to hook up outside serial devices, such as older printers, directly to a USB port. Because you are converting a USB port into a serial port, you need a driver; it comes on the installation CD. If you are using two RS232 cables you need only install the driver for one; both cables use the same driver information.
PS/2 (Personal System 2) and USB (Universal Serial Bus) are types of computer ports. They can be used to connect various devices such as keyboards, mice or external data storage devices, to name but a few. It is quite simple to tell if a computer is PS/2 or USB. These days many computers have both ports, but PS/2 is being phased out in favor of USB as it is better for data transfer and can also provide power to a device from the computer.
It's common for audio visual devices like DVD players to connect to a television with an RCA cable. RCA cable, named after the Radio Corporation for America, has been in use since the 1940s, when it was used to connect mono phonograph players to amplifiers. Many modern televisions now come with USB ports; if you want to connect your television to an audio visual device that has an RCA cable, you need to use an adapter.
Cat5 Ethernet cable is the most common type of networking cable for home networks. Since wireless networks are increasing in popularity, these cables often provide little use in homes today. Removing them can improve the aesthetics of a house, as the Ethernet ports and unnecessary cables may look awkward and bulky amongst newer technology. Removal of Cat5 cable in two-story homes may require fishing cables out from walls and behind trim.
Firewire and USB are two types of connections through which a computer user can rapidly transfer data from one device to another. They were both developed in the mid-1990s, but Firewire has become less common than USB, which has become increasingly standardized. However, enough devices still use Firewire, causing Firewire-to-USB cables or "hubs" to be very useful, particularly for someone who works frequently with digital video.
The RS-232 (also known as the "Serial Port") is installed on computers to allow for the connection of peripheral devices, such as external hard drives, printers and scanners. These devices are relatively easy to install on a computer and can even be accessed remotely via another PC.
CAT5 cables are a type of data cable generally used to connect network devices, such as computers, hubs and switches. In the event that you have a device with CAT5 ports that you need to connect to a device with RCA ports, you can do so easily by creating your own makeshift adapter cable. To assemble the cable, you must combine several specialized cables.
SCSI stands for Small Computer Systems Interface. SCSI was the standard to connect most computer peripherals until the emergence of USB cables. Nowadays, a vast majority of computers are equipped with USB ports for peripheral connections. However, if you have a SCSI peripheral device, you may want to build a SCSI to USB adapter so you can use it on a computer with a USB port. Note that you will need a SCSI to USB cable and a USB cable to perform this task. These cables are available for purchase in most electronic stores.
A USB graphics tablet can make image editing much easier. However, a tablet isn't very useful if your Mac refuses to detect it. If you suddenly find that your Mac OS X computer isn't detecting your USB tablet, there are a few things that you can do to determine the cause and solution for your problem. If none of these options resolves the issue, you'll need to contact your tablet's manufacturer for additional technical support.
There are two kinds of USB to PS/2 adapters: straight adapters and signal converters. Adapters are designed to approximate a PS/2 port as connected to the USB port, while signal converters have internal hardware that takes the PS/2 signal and turns it into a USB signal. The hardware in signal converters allows the BIOS access and may include operating system drivers, which can alleviate many issues that users encounter with PS/2 to USB adapters.
"Combat Arms" is a free online first-person shooter video game developed by Nexon. The game, which has an Entertainment Software Rating Board rating of Teen, enables you to play in virtual military missions against numerous online opponents. Numerous hacks are available on the Internet for the game; these enable you to have an upper hand when playing against your friends. The HP Lock hack keeps your health meter locked into place throughout the duration of the game.
"Combat Arms" is a free online first-person shooter video game designed for use with both PCs and Mac computers. Players have two options as to how to control a Combat Arms game: use your computer's existing keyboard or a USB controller, making the experience feel more like a console game as opposed to a computer game. Using a USB controller in Combat Arms requires some configuration.
RS-232 is a form of parallel cable used to connect certain electronic devices, such as printers or scanners, to computers. In the event that your serial device and computer are too far away from each other for a standard cable, you may want to consider converting the signal from your device into a wireless one. Fortunately, there are RS-232 wireless adapters available for use.
VGA (video graphics array) is an interface monitors use to connect to the motherboard and display analog video. Modern computers allow users to utilize two or more displays simultaneously. In the past, users had to directly connect the monitor to the VGA port located on the motherboard, but advances in technology allows users to now connect VGA displays to computers wirelessly.
Microsoft's Natural keyboards offer ergonomic key placement, which is intended to provide improved comfort and reduced stress on the user. Natural keyboards come in several models, some with a PS/2 connection and others with only USB connectivity.
If you've ever watched a movie or a TV show that features geeks, you've probably noticed that ultimate geek computer includes multiple monitors -- at least two, but sometimes even more. While many video cards have multiple output ports, sometimes having an extra output can help with presentations or even just organizing notes for a big project. While USB to VGA devices can help expand your display, they can also introduce a unique set of problems.
Although once the standard of laptop capacity expansion, the PCMCIA (PC card) has been roundly replaced by USB devices. The sheer litany of products that are immediately functional, or require only a quick install, through the USB make multiple slots highly convenient -- for example, using a single laptop to listen to an iPod while printing off an external hard drive. Meanwhile, fewer and fewer devices use the PCMCIA format. Fortunately there are adapters available to convert a computer's PC card slot into an extra USB port.
When you look at your old Universal Serial Bus port and compare it with a 2.0 compatible port, you may not see any differences. However, a USB 2.0 port transfers data up to 40 times faster than a USB 1.0 port. If you want to upgrade to USB 2.0 speeds, you can install the necessary equipment to give you the USB speeds that you are looking for.
SCSI2 ports are typically used by server computers, which means that your home Vista-based computer will not readily have one available. This can be problematic if you want to connect a SCSI2 device, such as a hard drive, to your computer. Work around this issue by converting one of your USB ports into a SCSI2 interface, allowing you to achieve your goal.
If you have a bootable floppy disc and want to turn it into a bootable USB drive, you can simply copy all the files from one disk to the other. You have to make sure, however, that your computer's BIOS supports bootable USB devices. Older computers sometimes do not allow USB boots on the BIOS level.
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) has become a standard in data transfer methods, and is compatible with a variety of peripheral devices including external hard drives, flash drives, memory sticks and other USB gadgets. USB 2.0 devices must be used with USB 2.0 ports, although USB 2.0 ports will support older devices. Upgrading from USB 1.0 or 1.1 to USB 2.0 requires you to install new hardware in your computer.
Many high-end video cameras and external hard drives use an EEE 1394 cable connection (also known as FireWire). This provides a higher transfer speed than USB connections, which is helpful when moving large files or video content. There are two different cable connections for FireWire, a 6 pin and 4 pin hook up. If you have a FireWire cable that uses a 4 pin hook up, it is possible to convert it into a USB cable, as many Windows based computers do not have the EEE 1394 cable port. It is an Apple created connection, so all Apple computers have…
There are many legacy (older) devices such as printers and scanners that are still in good working condition. But because technology has advanced, the parallel connectors on these devices can't connect to newer computers that only have USB ports. In order for the older devices to work with newer computers, you'll need to buy a cable that will connect to a parallel port on one side and a USB port on the other side.
Bluetooth allows you to connect to outside devices on your computer without a cable connection. However, if your computer does not have a built-in Bluetooth adapter, it is possible to convert one of the USB ports on your computer to a Bluetooth adapter. This process only takes a few moments to complete, allowing you to quickly hook up wireless devices to the computer.
Traditionally, Universal Serial Bus cables work well as the standard for connecting computers and hardware such as printers and cameras. However, consumers may have a difficult time finding longer USB cables. Fortunately, manufacturers produce ethernet cables such as category 5 cables at much longer lengths. With a Cat5 to USB converter, consumers can connect extend upon the typical USB cable length of 16 feet to 150 feet. Cat5 to USB converters also allow consumers to connect to modems even if their computer has no Ethernet port.
FireWire, also known as IEEE 1394, was developed for fast data transfer, and is considerably faster than the USB specification. It allows a user to quickly send information to various devices, and can even power them. However, FireWire has not become quite as ubiquitous as USB. It is possible to connect FireWire devices to a USB port. This can be helpful when using FireWire devices on a computer that does not contain a FireWire port.
If you do not have a built in CD burner on your system it is possible to install an external burner through one of the USB ports on the computer. This allows you to hook up the new equipment without opening up the computer and internally installing a new CD burning drive. With the attached drive you may copy just about anything to the CD, including imported cassette tape audio.
MiniSD cards were primarily developed for small mobile phones. The larger SD (Secure Digital) cards would occupy too much real estate in these phones. MiniSD cards function exactly like SD cards and also have some of the same benefits--large memory capacity and compact profile. MiniSD cards share disadvantages with SD cards too, including how they connect to personal computers. Early PCs did not always include memory card readers for SD cards, much less miniSD cards. USB ports are available on most computers, however, and a USB memory card reader makes a miniSD card compatible with most computers as well.
The Nintendo 64 (N64) was one of the first gaming systems to use a joystick on the video game controller. It also started Nintendo's long stretch of unique game controller designs. If you particularly enjoy the look and feel of the Nintendo 64 game controller, you may want to use it on other devices for game play, such as a computer. To do this, you need to convert the Nintendo controller to a USB-based connection on a Windows computer.
Converting a VGA signal to USB power is impossible. A device using a VGA signal is outputting a graphics signal. A USB transmits, or stores data and cannot process a graphics signal. An adapter and the software driver that comes with it can turn a USB port, or device, into a VGA compatible device. For example, sometimes a computer program, such as a game, requires the use of more than one monitor. A computer only has one VGA input area. Because the monitor uses a VGA connection, it cannot plug into a USB port, necessitating the converter.
The CH 2-button joystick is an older gaming controller useful for playing flight simulations and other games where a dedicated joystick is required. While the CH 2-button controller connects to a computer via the Game port, modern computers typically prefer to install their devices via USB due to the fact that the USB port offers additional bandwidth capacity over the Game port, helping your device to register more precisely while in-game.
Although you might think it impossible, converting your computer's USB port to a port capable of receiving input from a HDMI input can be done with nothing more than a basic adapter. This will allow your non-HDMI computer to utilize HDMI devices, increasing your computer's productivity without having to spend a lot of money on upgrades. The connection procedure is remarkably simple, requiring just minutes of your time.
Many devices connect to a computer via firewire. A firewire cable connection provides faster data transfer speeds than USB. Often, a connecting device draws power from the computer through the firewire port, allow it to charge its batteries. However, if you have a computer that does not sport a firewire port you need to convert the firewire cable running from the hardware to a USB port.
At one point in time the floppy disk drive served as the go to format for movable storage. However, with the debut of the USB flash drive and recordable CDs the floppy disk drive has become obsolete. If you have older software that is on a floppy disk and you still have a computer that features a disk drive you may want to convert the contents of the floppy onto a USB flash drive. Doing so allows you to move the content to any computer, whether it has a floppy disk drive or not.
When a device is connected to a USB port on your computer, the device typically draws power from the computer. With the available power flow running from the USB port you can actually convert your available ports into battery power. To perform this action you need a USB battery. These batteries are like rechargeable AA batteries; however, the batteries recharge through a USB port instead of a recharger that plugs into an outlet.
There are a number of devices that allow for connection to the IEEE 1394, or the "FireWire" interface, such as digital cameras and Apple or Sony computers. In the event that you have a device that can only send data with FireWire and you want to connect it to a device that does not receive FireWire, the easiest way to resolve the issue is with a USB-to-Firewire adapter. If you have this device, converting one signal to the other is an easy task.
Being able to boot your computer from the USB flash drive is very important. It will save you a lot of time and blank discs, and if your computer does not have a any physical disc drive, you have no choice but to boot from the USB drive. The process of getting the USB into a bootable mode is more tenuous than actually booting from the USB itself, but all it is a little typing.
There are many reasons to make a bootable CD. The most common is to have an emergency process for starting your computer in case of system failure. With the increased popularity of netbook computers, the need for bootable USB flash drives is rising. A netbook does not have a standard DVD or CD drive installed but the operating systems are just as vulnerable. Creating a bootable USB drive from a CD is possible with the use of conversion software. Downloading the software allows you to transfer files from your CD into a flash drive. The software then adjusts the flash…
Most operating systems (Windows, Mac OS, Linux) include a bootable CD or DVD that your computer can boot from if the operating system goes bad. Many netbooks and ultraportable laptops, however, no longer include the optical drive necessary to use these discs. Fortunately, if your computer has no optical drive, you can still use a boot disc made from an inexpensive USB flash drive. You'll need to use a computer with an optical drive to set the USB drive up, but once it's bootable, you can use it on almost any newer computer.
PC keyboards and mice use two types of connection interfaces. USB is the most common and is universally accepted by every computer. The other type, PS/2, is an older standard and has been phased out. Many computers and laptops do not include PS/2 inputs anymore, making it seem as if you cannot connect a PS/2 keyboard to your computer. However, a solution does exist. You can connect your PS/2 keyboard to your computer via a USB adapter.
The Serial ATA, or SATA, drive technology standard provides many advantages over the previous standards. The main advantage is its increased transfer speeds---6 Gb/s (Gigabits per second) for SATA over the previous 100 MB/s (Megabytes per second). Primarily, you find SATA drives inside a computer, but there are situations where you would want to access the drive outside of the computer case. One of the most universal methods of accomplishing this task is to use a USB to SATA cable adapter or a USB external drive case.
The line-in port on your computer allows you to connect a microphone or other outside audio source. However, most computers only have a single line-in jack. If you need multiple audio devices connected to your computer, you must add additional line-in jacks to the computer. To do this, you can convert one of your USB ports into a line-in jack.
While many new computer peripherals come in USB format, older computers were often designed for the use of a PS/2 mouse and keyboard. These round shaped connections were the standard form for many years, and despite their age are still just as effective as a USB device. To use USB peripherals on these machines, you will require a USB to PS/2 converter. These small adapters are common and will make connecting your PS/2 device quick and easy.
If you are in the market for a new computer, you may be wondering if you will be able to use your old parallel-based printer with your new hardware. If your new PC does not have a parallel port to match your printer, you may think that you need to throw the printer away and buy a new one; but that may not be necessary. With the right equipment, you can connect your old printer to your new PC, even if that computer does not have an old-style parallel connection.
Suppose you have some photos you took with your digital camera on your SD card, but you lost the cable, or maybe you have many SD cards laying around and just don't want to spend the money on a USB flash drive? Fortunately, with an inexpensive adapter, you can use your SD cards with any USB port.
The technological world is continually converting to wireless technology, and most devices that we buy today have some sort of wireless functionality. Many printers that are sold today come with a built-in wireless network adapter that allows you to print documents wirelessly. Many of these wireless printers also perform other useful functions like scanning or faxing wirelessly. Tired of being held down by your old wired scanner? Follow these steps to turn your old wired scanner into a wireless scanner.
Graphics card manufacturers are quickly moving away from including analog VGA (Video Graphics Array) monitor connections on their cards. Though they are still included with some less expensive cards, most video/graphics cards now come only with digital DVI and HDMI connections. If you own a VGA-only monitor and have a newer graphics card without a VGA connection, it may seem the only thing to do is buy a new monitor or downgrade your graphics card. However, there is an inexpensive way to use your VGA monitor with a computer that doesn't have a VGA connection.
If you work on a computer while showing other individuals your work--such as when teaching--you may find it cramped around a computer monitor. It may be a good idea to add an additional monitor to your computer setup. Typically, you create these connections with VGA cables; however, your computer more than likely only has a single VGA port. Luckily, it is possible to connect an additional monitor to your computer via a VGA-to-USB adapter.
If you have an older printer, it most likely uses a parallel port to connect to computers. The downside to this is that most newer computers no longer have parallel ports. Instead, computers have moved onto USB ports, which essentially are the updated version of a parallel port. If you have the newer computer but want to still continue using your older printer, you need a USB-to-parallel converter. However, the converter is not going to work simply by inserting it into the computer. There are, in fact, a few extra steps required to address the connection between the two devices.
USB and Firewire are competing external device connectors. These interfaces are used on everything from digital cameras to flash drives and printers. While many computers come with both USB and Firewire ports, most do not have enough ports for all of a computer's peripherals. The ability to convert from one port to another is quite useful and easily performed by any computer user.
The RCA connector, named after the Radio Corporation of America, was introduced in the 1940s as a way to quickly and easily connect RCA equipment to each other. It quickly became an industry standard, and eventually made its way into the audio/visual arena where it was also used to carry video signals. The Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard was established to allow computers and peripherals to work with each other. Using an inexpensive RCA to USB converter, it is simple to convert RCA plugs to USB for use on your computer.
Vamp up your USB data transfer rate by upgrading your old USB 1.1 drivers to USB 2.0. USB 2.0 allows you to move data between your computer and peripherals at rates up to 40 times faster than standard USB connections. USB 2.0 transfers at a maximum of 60 megabytes of data per second compared to the 1.5 MBPS transfer rate of USB 1.1. Most newer computers will come with the drivers pre-installed, but if you have an older computer you can do the upgrade yourself. Read on to find out how to get the most out of your USB ports.
Integrated Drive Electronics, also known as IDEs, are the preferred method for PC drive installation. According to Iomega, a leading producer of hard drives and other data devices, IDE systems are built into most PCs as a standard method of hooking up new internal devices. Unfortunately, IDE space is often limited in stock computers, with some motherboards only accommodating two or three IDE hardware installations before running out of connection ports. Luckily, you can continue to upgrade your system using your computer's external USB ports even after you've run out of internal IDE ports. With the right knowledge, even a…
RS-232 is a serial connection commonly found on older hardware devices such as printers, scanners and monitors. Most newer computers no longer support RS-232 connections, but have instead, chosen the faster, more reliable USB 2.0 connections. These connections support data transfer rates of up to 480MB. Connecting RS-232 hardware devices to USB ports is now possible, using an easy to use USB to RS232 Serial Adapter Cable, bridging the gap between modern and older devices.
If your laptop or desktop computer has a PCMCIA card slot, you can convert the card slot to a usable USB port. PCMCIA slots allow you to convert the slot to a variety of functions using adapters. Examples include wireless cards, Bluetooth, micro SD and USB. A PCMCIA-to-USB adapter can be purchased and will turn the slot into a usable USB 2.0 connection. USB technology is a Plug-and-Play technology. This means the computer will automatically detect any USB device that you connect to a USB port.
Converting a USB connection to an Ethernet connection is the easiest way to make a computer or laptop Ethernet-network ready without having to install an Ethernet card. USB to Ethernet plug-and-play adapters make it possible to convert from USB to Ethernet in a few minutes. With an Ethernet-ready connection, you can connect to DSL modems, cable modems or network connections and browse the Internet at high speeds. You can also connect to a shared network (such as in an office setting) to share printers and Internet connections, and connect between multiple PCs to share files.
The most common type of connection port used for computer devices is the Universal Serial Bus (USB) port. Unlike with older types of devices that use legacy connections such as a Serial port, a USB port does not have to be screwed in and uses "plug and play" technology that does not require any extra software to be installed. If you have an older device that needs to connect to a USB port on your computer, all you have to do is to connect it to a USB adapter and then update your USB port's driver.
If you have an old printer or scanner that has a parallel dongle and can't connect it to a newer computer, don't throw it out yet. There is a solution to keeping them in use. Since most newer computers only support high data transfer ports known as USB 2.0, use a converter to connect them to an old peripheral device with a parallel adapter. This simple tool acts as the link between the two different formats.
Not sure how to connect your old computer hardware to a newer PC? Most new computers no longer come with RS-232 serial interfaces. Adapters easily convert USB to RS-232 ports so you can use older hardware such as printers, monitors and scanners.
