How to Use a USB Port

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If your computer was made after 1998, it probably is equipped with universal serial bus -- or USB, ports. Learn how to attach devices to these ports.

Step 1: Read device instructions
Read the instructions that came with the peripheral device to determine whether a driver must be installed before you connect the device.

Tip
Windows and Mac operating systems usually detect a new device after you connect it, and then automatically install the driver. Some devices, however, require you to install the driver first.

Step 2: Check for power requirements
Check the instructions to see whether the power switch should be turned on before you connect the device.

Step 3: Choose USP port
Determine which USB port you want to connect your device to.

Tip
USB features one universal plug type for all USB peripheral-to-computer connections. USB connectors are designed so you can only make proper connections between the computer and the USB device. Check your computer manual if you are not sure which port is a USB port.

Step 4: Plug in device
Plug the device into a USB port.

Tip
The device will be ready to use if the computer is able to install a device driver automatically. Otherwise, you can download the driver from the device manufacturer's website.

Step 5: Check whether other software is needed
Check the instructions that came with your device to see whether you must install any additional software.

Step 6: Don't disconnect device prematurely
Make sure the computer has finished transferring information to the device before disconnecting it.

Step 7: Reattach to any port
Attach the device to any USB port when reconnecting it. One USB port can support up to 127 devices using USB hubs.

Did You Know?
Full speed USB devices can transfer data at 12 megabytes per second.

[lorenzo]

now i can finaly put music on my 50MB mp3 player!
thnx Howcast!

[williamlow]

Holy cow! I just wanted to know how to plug it in! This is too much info! I'm so overwhelmed!

[tanhockjun]

Now i use my USB port to charge my batteries :)

[McDughf]

I Guess For People Who Are Not Tech Saavy, This Is An Informative Video, Such As Grandparents Who Are Afraid Of Using COmputers But Already Know How To Use A Web Browser.

BUT!!!
Its Not Even Accurate: Correct Me If I'm Wrong, But The MAX Speed Of A USB ( USB v.3 ) Is Much Faster Then What Is Stated ( 12MB /s ).
But If It's The Original USB Protocol They Are Thinking Of, That Was 12 Mega BITS Per Second, Thus 1.5 MegaBytes Per Second.

Don't My Geek Glasses Glow :P

[tomasdanielnieto]

I came here to know how to plug an usb and they just said plug in it, but how do I do that?

[robojot]

im loling so fucking hard that i cant speak

[CanadianPenguin_]

if you needed this video then you probaly wouldn't even be able to find this vid

[spiritofecstasy]

Is there a way to use a USB port to plug in headphones or external speakers to a computer! The headphone jack is no longer functional! The plug got broke off in the jack?

[GeorgyAlekseev]

I subscribed for howcast when I found a video about "how to sex in the office" :D
I thought it would give me fun and interesting videos, but not the one like "how to walk"

[catherinefraney]

This sounds like a very informative video, but the speaker is talking WAY TO FAST. Just saying.

[gonzo]

i might say OMG are u serious but im not cuz there are ppl who dont know how to use usb ports. With that said i dont know why i watched this

[TlGBC]

why is an instructional video telling me to read an instruction manual?? how redundant.

[fijianhudini]

It takes u this long to plug in a USB port....wow

[mynameisdarthtater]

I know my shit about computers, a bit better than the average Joe. And I always put the damn things in upside-down. It's just that Computer manufacturers see fit to put the ports at an 80 degree angle rotated clockwise on the z axis and a 72.6 degree rotation counterclockwise on the x axis and FUCK now I can't tell which way it goes because I'm giving my CPU a reacharound to plug the damn thing in.
But still, I don't need a video to tell me how to plug shit in. If it's upside down, I know it b

[LegendaryDJXVI]

Seriously? Just plug the shit in and call it a day.

[TharosaRajaratne]

I'm gonna download all these howcast vids.
Marry A Girl.
Make A baby
After he/she around 9 yrs.
I'm gonna play these all vids to educate he/she

[TwistedMindGame]

...really? I've been tolerant of this stuff until now, but this is just too far.

[staver]

@staver76 Seriously, If you can get on youtube, or even turn on your computer you should know how to fucking use a usb port.

[staver]

How bout instead of all that shit you need
1. A brain
2. Eyes
3.Common sense ( If not included in brain look how to make common sense in another Howcast video.)

[Rodrig]

step 1. plug in usb device
step 2. take out when done
howcast is running out of ideas