Connect Other Devices

By connecting a computer to other devices, such as a printer, extra facilities can be added that add value.

A computer can connect essentially in two ways, wired and using wireless technologies.

Wired connections are basically faster, more reliable and more secure. However they require wires between devices and can be messy unless installed behind walls and ceilings in a home or office. Where devices are in permanent locations and the expense of wiring can be justified, it is the preferred method of network connection. Short distance wired connections are also possible.

Wireless connections are affected by distance, barriers (like walls) and slow down as more devices are added. They are also less secure as the wireless signal can be read by anyone who is close enough to the source.

Wired Connections

A wired connection can be made that is direct to a single computer and this makes a device that is linked only to that computer. There are many examples of this such as USB, Lightning and HDMI. These connectors may link a computer to a printer, scanner, TV or external storage drive.

USB (B end plugs in device) Ethernet Plug, network connections HDMI, usually for monitors and TV
USB%20AB.jpg Ether.jpg HDMI.jpg

Alternatively, a wired connection can be made to a network so that a computer is able to be connected to multiple devices, all connected on the same network. Network connections usually use the Ethernet standard which is the normal connection used for home and business internet connections.

In many cases, a wired connection is plugged in to each device and then it just works. In the case of devices like printers it is likely that some software, called a 'driver', will be needed to be installed on the computer.

Connecting Portable Devices

Many portable devices such as USB memory sticks, portable storage discs, DVD drives can be plugged in to a USB socket on a computer and then removed when required. The computer usually signals that the device is connected and provides a message when it is ready to function.

It is important to take care with these devices when they are disconnected. It is possible that a device may still be recording or replaying information and disconnection at that time can cause damage to the stored information and possibly the device itself. The correct procedure is to 'unmount' the device using the right hand end of the Taskbar.
This video shows how to unmount a USB device.

This message may show after you have followed the steps in the video to remove the USB device.

USB%20UnmMessage.jpg

It may be that some activity is running or that the USB device is still connected to the program you were using.
Close Windows Explorer and other programs that device has been working with.

(Windows 10 frequently shows this message anyway, even if nothing is still running)
After closing all relevant programs go through the procedure in the video, from the first step again.
As in the video, this window should now appear which indicates that the USB device can be removed.

USB%20Safe.jpg

If this message does not appear or the previous warning message, it is usually safe to remove the USB device anyway.
(It is possible to have Notifications turned off in the Settings so that this second message will not appear)

Wireless Connections

Wireless technology also allows computers and devices to connect in multiple ways in a network. Usually the device, such as a printer, connects to the home or office wireless network and can then be 'found' by other devices which have wireless facilities.

Often devices that are compatible with wireless connection need a some configuration.
This word means make settings to suit the system and the new device.
Things that might have to be set include; selecting a wireless network, loading network passwords, changing factory settings, but once set these settings are remembered, even if devices are switched off and on.

The short range wireless connection called Bluetooth can connect multiple devices to a single computer. A laptop computer may use an external keyboard or mouse which connects by Bluetooth. A Bluetooth connection may need code numbers to be entered the first time it is used. This is usually relatively simple process.

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