Other Help :( - Power Button

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by MarkW7, 2 Mar 2009.

  1. MarkW7

    MarkW7 Total Noob

    Joined:
    30 Nov 2008
    Posts:
    1,795
    Likes Received:
    32
    Hello all,

    Someone has given me three motherboards but i cannot test them! :(
    I have two dells but they are no use as the power buttons on them are just for dell boards.
    How do normal power buttons attatch? It would have to be one for any board and i can test all three and then go onto use it in a build! :D

    Do i have to make my own or can i buy one.

    Think thats all. all ideas / anything welcome!

    Thank you.
     
  2. mrbungle

    mrbungle Undercooked chicken giver

    Joined:
    20 Sep 2004
    Posts:
    5,307
    Likes Received:
    165
    Find the pin outs and short the two power ones wth a screwdriver.
     
  3. MarkW7

    MarkW7 Total Noob

    Joined:
    30 Nov 2008
    Posts:
    1,795
    Likes Received:
    32
    sorry i dont understand lol :p
     
  4. Volund

    Volund Am I supposed to care?

    Joined:
    16 Sep 2008
    Posts:
    1,947
    Likes Received:
    65
    Ok, so you will need to find the two points on the board that the power switch connects to. you then need to link those points with something metal, to simulate the action of a switch
     
  5. MarkW7

    MarkW7 Total Noob

    Joined:
    30 Nov 2008
    Posts:
    1,795
    Likes Received:
    32
    Wont i need a switch when there in a case anyway.
     
  6. Volund

    Volund Am I supposed to care?

    Joined:
    16 Sep 2008
    Posts:
    1,947
    Likes Received:
    65
    yeah, but that would let you test the boards. You could set up a normal momentary switch when it is in the case.
     
  7. MarkW7

    MarkW7 Total Noob

    Joined:
    30 Nov 2008
    Posts:
    1,795
    Likes Received:
    32
    i have no idea what a pin out or anything is is it easy to learn .
     
  8. notatoad

    notatoad pretty fing wonderful

    Joined:
    25 Jun 2004
    Posts:
    3,213
    Likes Received:
    60
    the pins sticking out of plastic this guy is pointing to are pin headers.
    [​IMG]
    find the one labeled front_panel or similar. (there may be multiple headers, for USB or serial or audio or stuff. they should all be labeled) there should be a diagram printed on the motherboard saying which pin is which, look for the two pins corresponding to pw_sw or pow_sw or pwr_sw or something to indicate they're for the power switch. plug them into a momentary switch, or just short them with your fingertip to turn on the computer.

    if there is no diagram, just short random pins (edit:random adjacent pins.) until the computer turns on. there's no current flowing through anything but the power switch pins, so there's no danger of shorting the wrong thing.
     
    Last edited: 3 Mar 2009
  9. Krikkit

    Krikkit All glory to the hypnotoad! Super Moderator

    Joined:
    21 Jan 2003
    Posts:
    24,063
    Likes Received:
    763
    If the computer turns on, however, be sure not to short the wrong pins. :)
     
  10. Loom

    Loom What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    10 Aug 2008
    Posts:
    391
    Likes Received:
    7
    And if using your finger doesn't work try something conductive - I use cutlery, usually a teaspoon.
     
  11. 500mph

    500mph The Right man in the Wrong place

    Joined:
    22 Jun 2007
    Posts:
    2,129
    Likes Received:
    33
    If you know what system the boards came out of, you can usually search for (system name) front panel pin-out
     
  12. MarkW7

    MarkW7 Total Noob

    Joined:
    30 Nov 2008
    Posts:
    1,795
    Likes Received:
    32
    Cool it works but i cant get the screen to come on on two of them
     
    Last edited: 3 Mar 2009
  13. MarkW7

    MarkW7 Total Noob

    Joined:
    30 Nov 2008
    Posts:
    1,795
    Likes Received:
    32
    Could a PIII - 728MHz run win xp.

    counts down to 30 - 0 but does nothing.
     
  14. notatoad

    notatoad pretty fing wonderful

    Joined:
    25 Jun 2004
    Posts:
    3,213
    Likes Received:
    60
    i ran xp no problems for years on a dell PIII 866mhz. it's slow, but it should work. if it isn't, there is probably something wrong with your hardware.
     
  15. alastor

    alastor Minimodder

    Joined:
    6 Sep 2004
    Posts:
    3,607
    Likes Received:
    59
    I have a 700MHz PIII machine that runs XP perfectly. Managed it with an 800MHz Celeron for a couple of years as well, that was...interesting.
     
  16. Burnout21

    Burnout21 Mmmm biscuits

    Joined:
    9 Sep 2005
    Posts:
    8,616
    Likes Received:
    197
    min requirements for XP is like 350mhz and 64mb of ram, so a CPU twice that of 700Mhz laughs in the face of xp's min requirements.

    Oh and i had an old compaq, with a PII 333Mhz that ran XP, sure media players visuals killed it, but who cares, we all use winamp or similar app's.

    That reminds me, that system to this date still runs, and its the most quiet system i have ever owned. stupid passive cooled PII cheesecake!
     
  17. MarkW7

    MarkW7 Total Noob

    Joined:
    30 Nov 2008
    Posts:
    1,795
    Likes Received:
    32
    I'll just be using it as a download machine :D

    Just wont load.
    The xp on the 10gb is fine as i've booted in on another pc.
    Just gets to the - your system may be have damaged selected;
    safe mode
    safe mode ...
    safe mode ...
    start normally.

    Non of them work.
    :(
     
  18. Burnout21

    Burnout21 Mmmm biscuits

    Joined:
    9 Sep 2005
    Posts:
    8,616
    Likes Received:
    197
    That sounds like the XP install on that HDD of yours has drivers installed, in which case is why its causing problems.

    If you can try a fresh install with each board tested, takes time but it stresses the system, and you know its not a driver problem.
     
    pimonserry likes this.
  19. MarkW7

    MarkW7 Total Noob

    Joined:
    30 Nov 2008
    Posts:
    1,795
    Likes Received:
    32
    I have an idea.

    I have a dell which has a dell special power button switch attachment. i was thinking can i buy / make my own - save alot of room so i can then add an intake fan :D
     
  20. MarkW7

    MarkW7 Total Noob

    Joined:
    30 Nov 2008
    Posts:
    1,795
    Likes Received:
    32
    what do i need.
     

Share This Page