How to connect a serial and parallel bracket correctly

[Matthew Renna]

I'm attaching this serial and parallel port bracket
https://www.amazon.com/VONOTO-Motherboard-Parallel-Printer-bracket/dp/B00RB264TQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1525902572&sr=8-2&keywords=serial+port+and+parallel+port+bracket

to my motherboard which is the Msi B85M-E45
how do I determine which way to plug in the cables? Is the one red piece supposed to go where there is no pin?

 

[ss202sl]

There's a notch(cut-out) on the port that only allows it to connect one way

 

[clutchc]

The board's parallel port header has a no-pin spot to guide you. The board's serial header connector the same thing. Page 1-24 and 1-25 of the board's owner's manual.

 

[Matthew Renna]

What would happen if I connected it incorrectly?

 

[clutchc]

What would happen if I connected it incorrectly?

Obviously, it wouldn't work. I don't think you can connect it wrong. Have you tried? Connections like that are usually keyed or a pin is blocked off if there's any chance an incorrect mating would fry something. And it looks like the outline around the pin-outs on the board has an indication representing the key on the connector as a guide.

@ ss202sl
I don't think that board has conventional headers for those connectors. It looks to simply have pin-outs on the board in place of the plastic header.

 

[Matthew Renna]

What would happen if I connected it incorrectly?

Obviously, it wouldn't work. I don't think you can connect it wrong. Have you tried? Connections like that are usually keyed or a pin is blocked off if there's any chance an incorrect mating would fry something. And it looks like the outline around the pin-outs on the board has an indication representing the key on the connector as a guide.

@ ss202sl
I don't think that board has conventional headers for those connectors. It looks to simply have pin-outs on the board in place of the plastic header.

Yeah this board just has pinouts. I have connected it however and it seem to be working.

 

[Alabalcho]

I don't think you can connect it wrong.

There are several ways to plug it wrong - one side only, or one side only in reverse, or shifted in any direction...

I bet you just haven't seen a DB9 connector plugged wrong 😉