Bike Equipment Usage - Mini pump

Question
Dear expert - not sure if you can help me on this issue, but since you've lots of biking experience I'll assume you probably use something like this equipment and will have at least an idea of how to instruct me...I hope...
I've got a Schwinn mini pump (attaches to your bike frame) but unless I am missing a part, I don't understand how to connect it to the valve on my bicycle wheels - I know there are two kinds of valves - I can't remember what the name is for mine but it is the more common one (with the thingy sticking up in the center) - The pump doesn't fit no matter how I seem to put it together.  I don't have any of the paper work for the pump anymore as I bought it a few years ago and never really had to use it for anything besides sports balls - the schwinn website is not much help either - can you instruct me as to how the pump is set up for my type of air valve- what parts should there be and how do they go together to have a functional piece of equipment?  Any help would be much appreciated and thank you. If you need an image let me know

Answer
The two types are called Schraeder and Presta. Schraeder is the same as used on car tires and common on thick tires for mountain and upright type bikes. Presta is the thinner type, common to thin tires on road bikes that you have to unscrew to inflate.

If the pump has only one opening for a valve, then you need an adapter for the other type of valve. They do make adapters for Presta valves and Schraeder pumps, but I don't think I've seen the reverse.

You may be better off just getting a new pump. A good frame pump will cost under $30.

I would suggest bikenashbar.com as a source for either an adapter or new pump.

Hope this helps
Scott<>