DU computer people question about motherboard and case connection

[noahmijo]

I cannot for the life of me figure out how the hell to get the cables from the case into the proper sequence into the motherboard so that it will power up.

The labeling in the motherboard manual is ass-backwards and makes no sense. Anyone ever have this issue of not being able to get power into the motherboard due to the little cables with one or two pins not being set up properly?

I am sure the PSU works I tried it in another computer and I do have the main and 4 pin power connectors in properly as well.

HELP!

[Az]

1. New case/mother board?

They shifted the type of PSU some time ago. If you are trying to mix an old case with a new board or vice versa you may have troubles hooking things up.

[democracyindanger]

2. Case cables?

What cables from your case attach to your mb?

Seems pretty straightfoward--attach the PSU to the MB, end of story. Maybe make sure the CPU and memory is seated properly?

[Kire]

3. I always go here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=242

[The_Casual_Observer]

4. Are you taking about the two from the powersupply that connect to the same

molex header? As I recall they plug in so that the red wires on the connectors are next to each other. It's been years however.

[Lethe]

5. how old is the motherboard, and what type of CPU?

on most newer power supplies, you cant mistake the where to plug the connector in. It's like a white/clear rectangle.

If it is plugged in right to the mobo, and plugged into the wall you will probably see a "flea" light come on. This is usually a small green or yellow light on the mobo.

If you got the power supply hooked up right, you gotta make sure you have the cables coming from the power button on the front of the case connected to the correct pins on the mobo. This is tough to do if you have to connect the individual pins. Look in the mobo manual or on the mobo itself to look for any descriptions like "pwr", etc.

good luck

[ET Awful]

6. Yes, it's a pain in the ass. (he's not talking about the PSU cable)

All motherboards are different. Unlike the connections for the power supply, there is no standard for all the little pin connectors for your power button, reset button, HD LED's, etc.

A lot of newer motherboards come with a pretty detailed diagram of what pins are what. Without that, it becomes a matter of trial and error.

Remember that the only one that's absolutely necessary is the power button. AND, that button is a simple on/off switch. What this means is it doesn't matter which way the connector goes on, as long as it bridges the proper two pins. (unlike, for instance, the led cables which must be oriented correctly to positive/negative for the light to come on).

[billyskank]

7. Those connectors are a fucking nightmare.

:(

[ET Awful]

8. Especially if it's in a small case and you have bad lighting AND

your eyes ain't what they used to be :)

[Lethe]

10. this is one way of finding out which pins are power

although i'm not recommending this, i've done this in past when booting up motherboards with a case:

just pick two pins and touch both of them with a screwdriver or paper clip at the same time for a couple secs.

use at your own risk (or mobo's risk)

[landdaddy]

9. The pins on the MB

are labeled as are the case wire connectors. A magnifying glass will help you identify the MB pins. I have had to reconfigure a connector or two to fit the pin assignments and it's a pain in the ass but doable. Good luck!