We can safely say that the computer connectors appeared simultaneously with the computer itself. Even the very first electronic computers, the size of a small factory, had their own connectors. Various peripherals, relevant at that time, were connected to them: punch card readers, magnetic or even mercury storage devices, in a word, devices for all kinds of computing needs. Years go by, computer technology is constantly being upgraded - the connectors are changing, respectively, but one thing remains unchanged. They are still an integral part of any computer.
Connector and its purpose
The ports and connectors of a computer are a set of contacts that provide the connection of the computer itself with various external and internal devices. These include: printers and scanners, drives, cameras, camcorders, drives, monitors, keyboards and more. Perhaps, it will take a lot of time to list all the peripherals possible for connecting.
Is there a difference between ports and connectors? Only a wise professional can draw a clear distinction between these two concepts, but there is practically no difference in everyday practice. In principle, it will be correct to use both definitions.
What are the connectors
Accepted all the ports and connectors of the computer divided into external and internal. Although, if desired, you can offer many types of various classification.
It is customary to classify external ports as those that are brought out outside the computer or laptop case . All kinds of devices are connected to them that are not directly included in its composition: scanner, printer, phone, mouse or keyboard. In other words, everything that connects from the outside.
Internal ports and connectors include those that are hidden inside the system unit or the device case. Built-in devices are connected to such ports: disk drives, hard drives, video cards, sound or network cards, and much more.
External ports
As already noted, the external port is a connector through which all kinds of devices from the outside are connected. Since there are quite a few such devices - perhaps several million - the developers came to the logical conclusion that at least some of them need to be standardized. Ports were originally designed to combine the numerous ways to connect an external device and a PC.
Ports differ in data rate, in their format, and in other ways. Here are the most basic of them:
- Ethetnet - a port for organizing a computer wired network.
- USB is a universal port through which most devices today connect.
- IEEE 1394 (FireWire) is another port for exchanging data between a computer and an external device.
- S-Video - for connecting analog video devices.
- eSATA and its variants.
- SCSI
- RS-232.
- PS / 2 - obsolete ports for connecting mice and keyboards.
- VGA, DVI, S-Video, HDMI, Display Port - video outputs for the computer.
- Bluetooth is a wireless port for data exchange.
- COM and LPT are also obsolete ports, but modern machines are still often equipped with them.
- PCMCIA, Express Card - ports for various expansion modules.
And these are just the main external computer connectors. In reality, there are many more. But they are less common.
Inland ports
The internal ports are connected not to peripheral, but to internal devices that enter directly into the hardware of each computer. There are also a lot of them, their main part is located on the motherboard:
- connectors for connecting a video card, sound and network card, etc .;
- connectors for connecting RAM strips;
- connectors for IDE devices - this includes all kinds of drives;
- SATA - to connect all kinds of disks and drives;
- this also includes numerous contacts for light bulbs and buttons placed on the computer case.
All these are just the main types of computer connectors. Over the years of their evolution, they have come a long way, some of them have “left the stage forever”, others have transformed and improved, as, for example, this happened with SATA or USB ports.
Is it possible to repair the connector
Often, especially in devices of low build quality, ports fail. This can be expressed in different ways: incorrect operation of the connected device or a failure at all. There are many reasons for the breakdown of the port: the structural part “loosened”, the contacts were unsoldered or melted, oxidized, the corresponding controllers failed.
In any case, the question of whether repair of computer connectors is possible will be relevant. It all depends on the nature of the damage and the connector itself. For example, failure of the connector on the motherboard most often does not lend itself to “cure”. But external ports can often be repaired (for example, if there is a pinout of the contacts). However, it often happens that it is easier and cheaper to completely replace the entire port than to try to fix it.
However, it is unlikely that an ordinary user can repair a port or connector on their own. If you pull with the appeal to the workshop, then sooner or later it will end with the final “loosening” of the connector in the socket and, possibly, to the circuit.
Naturally, repairing computer connectors yourself is only possible when there is complete confidence in their abilities. Otherwise, it is better to contact a specialized workshop.
What is pinout
In scientific terms, pinout is the marking (designation) of the contacts inside any connector. Well, but easier - the purpose of each of the pins or holes in the connector. For example, one contact can be responsible for powering the device, another for sending data, a third for receiving it, a fourth for grounding, etc.
In schemes, pinouts are often indicated either by digital or alphabetic methods, or in different colors.
The pinout of computer connectors helps both when repairing the port, and can be designed to try to connect a device that does not normally connect to the specified port, but can be connected via the wiring of the necessary contacts (although the result is not guaranteed).
The future of ports
Of course, neither ports nor connectors will go away from computer technology for a very long time. Of course, they will be modified, improved, new standards for signal exchange will appear. In a word, everything will be even better and faster. Probably, transition from physical ports to virtual will be carried out. Fantasy on this topic can be infinitely long.
There is also a trend towards a gradual departure from wired ports. Already today, manufacturers at the first opportunity try to introduce wireless ports into their devices. However, computer connectors as such, of course, will persist for more than a dozen years.