Building a new pc with my son - he bought himself a Fractal Design Define R2 case - only problem is that it has no reset button. Is it possible to add a button and if so how easy is it - and any suggestions as to where to purchase the necessary bits in the UK. Thanks all
Get a momentary switch from Maplins and connect it to the reset pins on the mobo http://www.maplin.co.uk/family.aspx?menu=1943&C=SO&U=Strat15
Do you really need a reset button? It's quite possible that the motherboard has one onboard in which case you might be able to use that in the rare cases when you need one. If you have an old case you may be able to scavenge a reset switch from it or the power switch will work just as well. If you do need to add a reset switch all you need is a momentary action push button switch. Something like this will work fine. Or if you want something a little more professional looking something like this. Then you will need a meter or so of stranded wire, if you have a spare ethernet cable one of the wire pairs from inside will work very well. The motherboard connector is slightly more difficult to find if you want one just like cases come with. Either you can cut one off an old case or you can buy some of these (the two pin version) which you can solder to the ethernet wire and will work just as well. As for wiring it up all you need to do is connect each of the switches connections to one of the pins on the motherboard connector, it doesn't matter which way round. The place I've linked to is where I buy most of my electronic components. Moriquendi
Trouble with Rapid is the delivery charges are a bit much, even though Maplin are a bit pricier it's usually cheaper to take a slight detour to one of their shops rather than pay delivery charges. I agree with your sentiment though, why do you need a reset button enough to take the trouble to wire one up? I wouldn't bother tbh.
You have a point Krikkit but Maplin are so utterly crap that I can't bring myself to recommend them. Also my orders normally go over the free delivery threshold at Rapid. Moriquendi
Maybe try to find something like this. They would probably cut down the price for only one switch if you asked. I also believe that site is willing to ship internationally but doubt it would be cost efficient. If you can find somewhere else willing to do the work it's amazingly simple.
Thanks for the tips guys - the motherboard he's after is the Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 - I took a look through their manual on line and could not see a reset button like I have on my Asus MB.
Very true. They're alright for tiny orders of a few components, anything more than that I'd avoid like the plague.
But the question remains, do you really need a reset switch? I can't think of a single situation where a reset switch would be required, if you need to do a quick power off power on then you can use the power button, just hold it for five seconds and it powers off, hit it again and it powers on. Moriquendi
The counter question also remains, if he wants it does he really need to need it? Right now it sounds perfectly fine to hold the button for five seconds then hit it again, but when you're there in the moment you'll wish you had a reset button more than anything else in the world.
If you're there in the moment then needing to press the reset switch will take you out of the moment pretty quickly. You only want a reset switch when something's gone wrong in which case hitting the power button for 5 seconds is hardly going to make much difference. Moriquendi
Exactly! When you're in that "something's wrong" moment you want to get out of it quickly. Working on an important project or some hardcore gaming and your computer freezes or w/e? Sitting there holding down the power button can feel like ages when you're anxious to get back. The ease and instant gratification of a reset button can be a huge stress reliever compared to a normal power button. Also, installation is an excuse to do some light modding with his son. Good bonding time.
Admittedly it's not the most useful application of modding a case...but it's still modding therefore a good first step. I did my first (and so far only) mod to my old case, drilled a hole through the plastic front to put in a switch to turn the cathodes in it on and off, there's a sense of satifaction afterwards and it proved very useful. I personally wouldn't bother with a reset button though, I find the power button to be adequate. Sloth may have a point with the whole bonding thing though so it might be worthwhile..
Thanks for all the help - managed to get an old one from a pc work was throwing out. All the dvice was much appreciated
