parallel/serial ports

hi all...i have nothing plugged into the serial/parallel ports..so if i disable them in the bios will my computer still work? what is the parallel and serial port for? also since i have cable modem can i disable the com ports in device manager? what is 1394 net adapter and what does it do?

 

You can disable them in BIOS if you are not using them, skipper.

Parallel ports are sometimes used for printers. Serial ports can be used for external modems. I'm sure there are other uses for both. 1394 is the so-called "firewire". If you have no firewire stuff connected, you don't need it, either.

Also, if skipper disables the serial ports in BIOS, then, they will not even show up in Device Manager, will they?

 

I have them both disabled and I don't see them in my device manager

 

if you know for sure you don't need it, you can disable it. this can only speed up the computer by freeing resources, but i doubt you'll notice any true speed increases, though.

 

thanks doods...i disabled the ports and all is well..i have a low budget system...so im trying to concentrate all computer firepower to cpu/video card/internet...i can play worldofwarcraft alright..but i have old rambus ram and only 256mb(i also found out that i have a 250 watt power supply=() of it so i need to reboot often and my hard drive works alot more than a high end computer system...i like to get performance any way i can..thanks for the replies doods...