On

Ijen

Ijen

Ijen

Associate
Joined
27 Jun 2009
Posts
17
Having just upgraded my computer, I had a bunch of old components knocking around and thought I'd put them together. It was all going well, right up until I spotted the connector on the cable for the power button on the case (power/reset/led) isn't compatible with the motherboard.

So, the question is how to turn it on without the power button on the case?

Is there a way to hot-wire it 'on'?

The motherboard is an MSI Neo2 865Pe
The case is from a ten year old Dell Dimension XPS T700r
 
If you locate the Power button pins on the Motherboard (pins which the power button cables plug into) use a small flat head screwdriver to bridge the pins and start the pc :)

I have done this many times on many different Pcs and has always worked with no problems.

Just make sure you short the right pins.
 
How are they not compatible? Just curious as they are a standard size and have been since the ATX spec came out. Pics please?

EDIT: Never mind, I notice its a dell box. That could explain it. Anyway, pics please would be helpful anyway!
 
siclilmonkey - ooer, righto then :eek: I might have a go at that but not sure I fancy the prospect of my dad yamming a screwdriver at the motherboard when he wants to check his emails... might have to wire em up to some kind of make-shift on-button.

PhillyDee - here y'go.

256zm1u.jpg


alkets.jpg


2wgdg74.jpg


So, that flat grey cable with the black connector coming in from the right is from the power button.
 
looks like it does everything that hdd light power reset the works but it wont go on there, you mentioned putting a switch on your self which is going to be the only way or buy a new case :)
 
Bloody Dell, the concept of standard sizes is lost on them.

Doesnt look like that MSI board sits in their too nicely either.

Short term is to short it out with a screwdriver, long term buy a new case. Or if you fancy a bit of a case mod. A door bell. I used to know someone who using a door bell on top of their case purely because they didnt want to bend down to turn it on.
 
Nah, its quite easy to mod it. Find out which wires lead to what and then crimp on new connectors. I have loads of the right ones for PC cases.
 
Hehehe its easy :) from looking at the diagram the black pins on the bottom row in the center block. but make sure that is correct should say on the mobo book

bridge the both and walla :)
 
Look in your bios for the option to turn it on using mouse or keyboard.

Failing that, cross head screwdriver is marginally easier to use than flat head
 
So arrh.. right.

I managed to turn it on using a cable that connected to the pins at one end, and and then chopped with bare ends at the other. It didn't boot though. The PSU, CPU and mobo fans were all wiring a way but not a peep from the rest of the system. When I touched some of the other pins together various other things happened, such as the HDD made a noise, or the CD drives burped, but nothing caused the mobo to make that beeping noise it makes before booting.

Checked the connections but I'm going to go back and remove things and put them back again, to be double sure - some of the wires are under a bit of tension.

J.B said:
Bloody Dell, the concept of standard sizes is lost on them.

Doesnt look like that MSI board sits in their too nicely either.
Click to expand...
You're right, it's a shonky fit at best. Sieems like the PCI cards are the only things actually holding it steady - the clips in the the case do aren't especially effective.
J.B said:
A door bell. I used to know someone who using a door bell on top of their case purely because they didnt want to bend down to turn it on.
Click to expand...
Hahaha, hell yes, that's ace.

JonJ678 - that would be ace, If I manage to get into the BIOS I'll look into it.
 
Last edited:
Er, you shouldnt have touched together any other pins. Only the reset and power. The rest would short it out. (Though it should be fine!)
 
Hrm, well, silly as I know this sounds, I checked the connections and realised that the the AGP and PCI cards weren't connected properly because of the way motherboard sits a fraction too low in the case. I removed the motherboard, put the cards back in properly before reconnecting everything and shorting the power pins again. It all started up fine... until windows began to load and it decided to restart. And again in safe mode. And again. And again.

I have reason to believe the PSU may be dodgy; I think I can see a melty bit inside :rolleyes:

*hunts for a new PSU*
 
Are you using the original operating system, you may need to doa re-install as the board has changed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom