Im making a case for the MP3 player Im building, and I need a power button for it. The only spare case I have laying around is an old 486, will the power button work from that?
The 486 is most likely has an AT power supply, which means the switch is not momentary like on ATX. I don't think you would have much luck using it, as if your mp3 player has an ATX PSU and mobo you will need a momentary switch.
In the US RadioShack should have them. If you are in the UK I don't really know, as I don't live there, but I would say Maplins might just because they are often mentioned!
Turning the AT power switch off then on again should have the same effect as the momentary switch if you can't be bothered buying one
Thanks, but I dont know a thing about 'proper' electronics, ie different types of switches, etc, I only know a little bit. I looked up momentary switch, but Im not sure which one to get. Also, when I get the switch, shall I just cut the power wires coming from the old 486 switch, and solder them onto the new one?
For a momentary switch just get whatever looks good to you. They all more or less work the same way. As for when you get it, just as you said, chop off the wires to the old switch, keep the wires and solder on the new switch.
You only need a switch that has two things in the back for the two wires. And it doesn't matter which goes where, since all that the switch is doing is completing the circuit.
