I just had TW Cable high-speed internet installed. The
technician left my cable from printer-to-computer unplugged.
He plugged the USB high-speed cable into that port instead. I
then put an adapter on my flat cable end of the printer cable
and plugged it into the round port. The message I get is
"Incorrect Port Detected." I tried different
things, but can't get my computer to communicate with my
printer. Please advise.
p.s. I have a Panasonic Toughbook(laptop) with Windows 98.

  

Since you have a USB printer, you must plug it into a USB port for it to work.
If you have no other USB ports available on your computer, you can install a USB hub, which will handle multiple USB devices.

What's that round port on the back of my laptop? Can't I use a flat-to-round adaptor and use it that way? Thanks.

   Most computers have a round port (it is called a PS/2 port) for the mouse and a round port for the keyboard.
   The port for the mouse (it usually has a little picture of a mouse next to it) should only be used for the mouse.  The same is true of the keyboard port.
   Yes, you can use an adapter to plug a USB mouse or keyboard cord into the PS/2 port but that does not mean that you can use it to plug any USB cord into the PS/2 ports.  As you found out, it will not work.
   As dlwolff0 suggested, if you need more USB ports, you can buy a PCI card which will give you more USB ports (they are not very expensive).  Make sure they are USB2.

Thanks...Good information. Take Care.

Art