TestOut LabSim A+ Certification Practice Exam

The PS/2 ports on a computer are primarily used for which types of devices?

1. Printers and scanners

2. Mouse and keyboard

3. External drives and USBs

4. Webcams and microphones

The correct answer is: Mouse and keyboard

The PS/2 ports on a computer are primarily designed for connecting input devices, specifically mouse and keyboard. This stems from their historical usage in PCs, where they provided a reliable and straightforward way to connect these devices directly to the motherboard without the need for additional installation or software configuration. PS/2 ports were popular due to their functionality and ease of use. They are characterized by their 6-pin mini-DIN connectors and are typically color-coded: purple for keyboards and green for mice. While modern computers have largely shifted to USB connections for peripheral devices due to their versatility and speed, PS/2 connections remain viable for specific applications, particularly in environments that prioritize legacy systems or need systems to boot without USB device initialization. In contrast, the other options mention categories of devices that do not utilize PS/2 ports; printers and scanners generally use USB or parallel connections, external drives are mostly connected through USB ports, and webcams and microphones typically rely on USB connections or audio jacks, making B the most appropriate answer.