Reference Guide
Table Of Contents
- Me and My Dell For Inspiron, G-Series, XPS, and Alienware computers
- Setting up your computer
- About your computer
- Using your computer
- Ports and connectors
- Software and Applications
- Restoring your operating system
- Troubleshooting
- BIOS
- Getting help and contacting Dell
- References
Table 8. USB standards
USB PowerShare The USB PowerShare feature enables you to charge USB devices when the computer is powered
off or is in sleep state. The icon indicates that the USB port supports PowerShare
feature.
NOTE: Certain USB devices may not charge when the computer is powered off or in sleep
state. In such cases, turn on the computer to charge the device.
NOTE: If you turn off your computer while charging a USB device, the device may stop
charging. To continue charging, disconnect the device and connect it again.
NOTE: On laptops, PowerShare feature stops charging the device when the laptop battery
charge reaches 10%. You can configure this limit using BIOS setup program.
USB-C Depending on your device, this port may support USB 3.1, Display over USB-C, and Thunderbolt 3
devices. For more information, see the documentation that shipped with your device.
Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C)
port
You can connect USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.1 Gen 1, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt devices to this port.
It enables you to connect to external display using dongles. Provides data transfer rates up to 40
Gbps.
Debug port The debug port enables a user to run the USB 3.0 ports in USB 2.0 mode temporarily for
troubleshooting purposes and also when operating system is reinstalled using a USB optical drive
or a flash drive.
eSATA
eSATA enables you to connect external storage devices, such as hard drives and optical drives, to your computer. It provides
the same bandwidth as internal SATA ports.
Your computer may have a standalone eSATA port or an eSATA/USB combo port.
Visual Graphics Array
Visual Graphics Array (VGA) enables you to connect to monitors, projectors, and so on.
You can connect to a HDMI or DVI port using the VGA to HDMI or VGA to DVI adapters respectively.
Digital Visual Interface
Digital Visual Interface (DVI) enables you to connect your computer to displays such as flat-panel monitors, projectors, and so
on.
There are three types of DVI connections:
● DVI-D (DVI-Digital)—DVI-D transmits digital video‑signals between the video card and the digital display. This provides
fast and high-quality video output.
● DVI-A (DVI-Analog)—DVI‑A transmits analog video‑signals to an analog display such as a CRT monitor or an analog LCD
monitor.
● DVI- I (DVI-Integrated)—DVI-I is an integrated connector that can transmit a digital or an analog signal. This port is more
versatile as it can be used in both digital and analog connections.
DisplayPort
DisplayPort provides digital connection between your computer and display devices such as monitors, projectors, and so on. It
supports both video and audio signals. DisplayPort was designed specifically to be used with computer displays.
Ports and connectors
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