USB use

Hey guys,

I have a old piece of junk of a computer, and i was thinking maybe i can start experimenting with using the usb port in it as a source of voltage or power. It would be pretty cool to turn on a circuit by plugging into a usb port. The problem is that i have no idea what the 3000 pins on the usb jack do. If anyone had some kind of short explanation or a link to a site that gave you a general overview, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

Why not just google for it?.

Well i already did, but 95% of the results have to do with flash drives and other usb devices, and the other 5% which actually deal with circuits assume you know too much. I didn't really find an introductory site, so i asked.

USB 1&2 only have 4 pins. Two are signal and the remaining 2 are 5 volts and common. "USB Pinouts" first Google hit:

USB pinout and wiring @ pinouts.ru

Doesn't get any simpler than that.

Ron

That explains 4 pins.

I don't think we can explain the "other" 2996 pins in the USB jack unless you take a picture of your 3000 pin USB jack and post it.