PnP

PnP may refer to any of the following:

1. Short for plug and play, PnP refers to a computer's ability to detect and configure hardware automatically without requiring the user to configure hardware with jumpers or dip switches. Plug and play was introduced on IBM-compatible computers with the release of Windows 95. Apple Macintosh computers have always supported automatically detecting and installing hardware.

How to use a plug and play device

Computer monitors are considered plug and play devices and use a VGA (video graphics array), DVI (digital visual interface), or HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable to connect. Most other plug and play devices use a USB cable, but some utilize eSATA.

To use a plug and play device, turn on the computer and wait for it to load the operating system. Then, connect the cable provided with the device to the appropriate port or connector on the computer. If the device requires external power, plug the power cord into a surge protector or wall outlet. The computer recognizes that the device is connected, then installs the necessary drivers and configures it.

Plug and play requirements

For plug and play to operate correctly on IBM compatible computers, they must have:

• A BIOS (basic input/output system) that supports plug and play.
• Windows 95 or later or another operating system supporting PnP.
• A peripheral device designed to support PnP.

Drivers for plug and play devices

Drivers are required for plug and play devices to work, but they are automatically installed when the device connects to a computer. The operating system detects the device and installs the necessary drivers. There is no need to manually install separate drivers for a plug and play device.

Examples of plug and play devices

Today, there are many different plug and play devices available for computers. Below are common plug and play devices.

• Computer monitor
• External hard drive
• Gamepad or joystick
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• USB flash drive
• Webcam

2. Abbreviation for party and play, PNP is shorthand used in online chat, ads, and communities, to indicate a desire to "party" (use illegal drugs) and "play" (engage in casual sex).

3. PNP is a type of bipolar transistor.

4. PNP is slang for plug and pray, a sarcastic term commonly used when plug and play was introduced, because the technology frequently did not work correctly. The implication is that for a plug and play device to work, the user must first pray to a supernatural deity.

Chat terms, Computer acronyms, Computer slang, Enumerator, Hardware, Hardware terms, Jini, Operating system terms, Plug, TLA