The PC System Design Guide (also known as the PC 97, PC 98, PC 99, or PC 2001 specification) is a series of hardware design requirements and recommendations for IBM PC compatible personal computers, compiled by Microsoft and Intel Corporation during 1997–2001. They were aimed to help manufacturers provide hardware that makes best use of the capabilities of the Microsoft Windows operating system, and to simplify setup and use of such computers.
Every part of a standard computer and the most common kinds of peripheral devices are defined with specific requirements. Systems and devices that meet the specification should be automatically recognized and configured by the operating system.
Contents |
Four versions of the PC System Design Guide were released. Within each version, a distinction was made between the requirements of a Consumer PC, Office PC and an Entertainment PC.
| Version | Date |
|---|---|
| PC 97 | February 9, 1998 |
| PC 98 | December 31, 1998 |
| PC 99 | July 14, 1999 |
| PC 2001 | November 2, 2000 |
Initial version.
Aimed at systems to be used with Windows 98 or Windows 2000. Required:
Required:
Strongly discouraged:
Final version. First to require IO-APICs to be enabled on all desktop systems. Places a greatly increased emphasis on legacy-reduced and legacy-free systems. Some "legacy" items such as ISA expansion slots and device dependence on MS-DOS are forbidden entirely, while others are merely strongly discouraged.[1]
The perhaps most end-user visible and lasting impact of PC 99 was that it introduced a color code for the various standard types of plugs and connectors used on PCs.[2] As many of the connectors look very similar, particularly to a novice PC user, this made it far easier for people to connect peripherals to the correct ports on a PC. This color code was gradually adopted by almost all PC and motherboard manufacturers. Some of the color codes have also been widely adopted by peripheral manufacturers.
| Color | Function | Connector on PC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mouse and keyboard | ||||
| Green | PS/2 mouse / pointing device | 6-pin mini-DIN female | ||
| Purple | PS/2 keyboard | 6 pin mini-DIN female | ||
| General input/output | ||||
| Black | USB | USB Type A female | ||
| White | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 Type A female | ||
| Sky blue | USB 3.0 SuperSpeed | USB 3.0 SuperSpeed Type A female | ||
| Grey | Firewire / IEEE 1394 | 6 pin FireWire 400 | ||
| Burgundy | Parallel port | 25 pin D female | ||
| Teal or turquoise | Serial port | 9 pin D male | ||
| Video | ||||
| Blue | Analog monitor | 15-pin VGA female | ||
| White | Digital monitor | DVI female | ||
| Yellow | S-Video | 4 pin mini-DIN | ||
| Yellow | Composite video | RCA jack | ||
| Audio | ||||
| Pink | Analog microphone audio input (mono or stereo). | 3.5 mm TRS | ||
| Light blue | Analog line level audio input. | 3.5 mm TRS | ||
| Lime green | Analog line level audio output for the main stereo signal (front speakers or headphones). | 3.5 mm TRS | ||
| Black | Analog line level audio output for the surround speakers (rear speakers). | 3.5 mm TRS | ||
| Silver | Analog line level audio output for 'side speakers'. | 3.5 mm TRS | ||
| Orange | Center speaker / Subwoofer | 3.5 mm TRS | ||
| Gold | Game port / MIDI | 15 pin D female | ||
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