How to Use a USB Data Cable?

A USB data cable can be used to connect USB-enabled devices to a computer, allowing the two to communicate with each other. Devices connected to a computer using a USB cable include digital cameras, MP3 players and portable hard drives. USB cables connect to USB ports on a computer and allow you to transfer files, documents, music and photos safely and securely at blazing transfer speeds of up to 480Mbps.

Connect one end of the USB cable to an open USB port on your device such as a hard drive, camera or MP3 media device.

Connect the other end to an open USB port on your computer. Your computer will automatically recognize the new device.

Double-click "My Computer" on your desktop. You will see your device listed as a removal disk together with other drives on the computer.

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Double-click the device to open it and reveal its contents. If your connected device is a portable hard drive, copy and paste files and documents from your computer to the hard drive to transfer them. If your device is an MP3 player, double-click the "Music" folder on the device window, and copy and paste music files from your computer to the "Music" folder to copy them there.

Double-click the green "Safely remove hardware" icon on the taskbar located on the lower-right of your screen when you are done using your USB connected device.

Locate the connected USB device on the hardware window and click "Stop." Confirm "OK" to stop the running process of the device. A message will pop up prompting you to disconnect your device. This action prevents your USB device from losing saved information.