CompTIA A+ 220-701: 1.2 – I/O Interfaces

| Jan 26, 2010 | Comments 9


If you look at the back of any computer, you’ll find many different ports staring back at you. In this video, you’ll learn to recognize some of the most common motherboard ports and connectors, including audio ports, video ports, and communication interfaces.





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Filed Under: CompTIA A+ 220-701

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  • Wil Jensen

    James – question/comment on I/O interfaces video: At around the 5:30 time/mark of the video you discuss the 6-pin DIN connectors for mice and keyboards. One name for that you didn’t mention was what I had always thought they were called, that being the “PS/2″ moniker. Does my memory serve me correctly on that? And if so, I would posit that it might be worth mentioning.

    • http://www.ProfessorMesser.com Professor Messer

      Because the IBM PS/2 line of personal computers was one of the first to use the mini-DIN ports for mouse and keyboard connections, some people (inaccurately) refer to them as “PS/2″ ports. Of course, the mini-DIN ports aren’t exclusive to the PS/2 line of computers and it’s rare today to hear anyone still refer to the ports that way (although us old timers are still around!).

      • Wil Jensen

        Thanks, Prof. As I learned in the IDE/ATA/PATA section, it’s always good to know when one’s been wrong for years and has finally discovered the truth! LOL! From now on I’ll be calling them “mini-DIN” connectors/ports with the knowledge that “DIN” is a non-english acronym meaning “German Institute (for/of) Standards” or something close to that. Only now I must wonder what the large-DIN port looks like? j/k

      • Andy

        Very good! I was actually under that illusion myself as well.

  • Matt

    I was reading a book by Mike Meyers and VGA wasn’t mentioned but VESA was and the description in his book was the same description you gave for VGA so basically I concluded VGA and VESA are the same. Would this be accurate?

  • David

    Hey, I been watching your videos for about a year now. Thanks for keeping everything fresh and up-to-date. I am signed up to take my A+ exam in January. Your material has been very helpful with my college courses. It is very good. Thanks!!!

  • Joe

    There is another port on my laptop that’s the same size of the mini-DIN connector discussed but with 7 pins and a bump on top. The icon there looks like a TV with V dipoles and a rightward pointing arrow. I’m assuming this is a projector output? What is the name for this port type?