help with building computer

[dsj]

I'm installing an athlon xp system. I'm having a headache with plugging in the case power/reset switch and leds. On the motherboard it's 2 large rows of metal sticks and the manual tells exactly which one should be plugged into which one. And some of what's said in the manual doesn't even match with what says on the connectors. And even with the power switch plug, it goes very detailed into which bar is for ground, and which is for what. So it sounds like if I plugged it in the wrong direction then they computer shouldn't start. But when I watched the guy in the computer store do it before, he just grabbed all of them and plugged in randomly and it worked ok. And I have tried to switch the direction of the power plug on the athlon 64 system and it still worked. So does those frontal plugs even matter in their order?

 

[ofiraltarasy]

it should say on the cable what its for, and on the mobo it should say what the plugs are fore just read its realy easy

 

[dsj]

There are over 10 plugs. The plugs says data+1 data-1 gnd 1, vcc1, and the same pluggs with 2 instead of 1. Those aren't covered in the manual.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

VCC1+/- is used for USB ports, IIRC. List your parts?

 

[birdpup]

What brand and model motherboard is this?
It would probably help to put that information in your topic summary.

 

[dsj]

A7n8x deluxe
A frontal usb port with the 2 sets of single plugs I mentioned above. The mother board has this set of metal sticks that the reference card calls CLRL_Panel1. It tells which plug is for what but some of them doesn't exist with my case. eg. the smi led and keyboard lock doesn't exist. And where does the front usb port pluggs go?

 

[dsj]

Yes, those do seem to be the front usb connectors. Where should they go?
What is the SMI led? Is that the harddrive led?

 

[dsj]

Is the smi lead the hard drive lead?

 

[dsj]

There doesn't seem to be a frontal usb connector on my board. Should I unplug the frontal usb cables?

 

[Valkerie]

Originally posted by: dsj
There are over 10 plugs. The plugs says data+1 data-1 gnd 1, vcc1, and the same pluggs with 2 instead of 1. Those aren't covered in the manual.

Not on PC CHIPS mobos. This makes me mad. I had to guess and check, and I got it right the first time. Act of nature, blessings from Heaven. Who the hell's makin' the standards?

 

[dsj]

Originally posted by: Valkerie

Originally posted by: dsj
There are over 10 plugs. The plugs says data+1 data-1 gnd 1, vcc1, and the same pluggs with 2 instead of 1. Those aren't covered in the manual.

Not on PC CHIPS mobos. This makes me mad. I had to guess and check, and I got it right the first time. Act of nature, blessings from Heaven. Who the hell's makin' the standards?

The 20 pin connector on the motherboard is very messy and I have to figure out which one is which one. I can't find on the manual where the HDD lead should be plugged. I'm guessin that it's the same thing as SMI led? Is that right? And what about the frontal usb ports? I can't find anywhere to plug them.

 

[boomerang]

Look on page 25 of your manual for HD.

USB, page 31.

 

[dsj]

Thanks. About the wires, How do I tell which one is for ground etc...?

 

[dsj]

About the USB on page 31, their one is a single plug with 9 pins. Mine is 8 separate pins. Is that the same?

 

[boomerang]

Yes, you will have to match up the markings on the connectors to the pin out diagram in the manual. It is very common to have 8 pin connectors attach to a 9 pin header.

You have two sets, one marked 1 and the other 2.

USB+5V = VCC1
USB_P5- = data-1
USB_P5+ = data+1
GND = gnd1

USB+5V = VCC2
USB_P6- = data-2
USB_P6+ = data+2
GND = gnd2

Some case manufacturers provide a USB connector where they are all molded together. These will have 10 receptacles. One is blank and plugged. This way, the connector will only go on one way. Separate connectors are a PITA.

 

[dsj]

How does the power supply know when to power up? Is it by the power fan plug plugged on to the motherboard? The problem is that my computer won't power up. And the power supply doesn't have a power fan plug. And it's not an ATX Case. Does that matter?

 

[leading edge]

If your computer won't power up, try the small black switch (labeled O/I) on the back of the power supply, near the fan. Make sure it's on (switched to the I). Make sure the small red slide switch in the same area is switched to 115V. These sound very simple, but it's a good place to start.

Sounds like you're having some of the same issues I'm having with wiring the case to the mobo. I made a post earlier this afternoon asking some of the same questions.

Do you have the USB connections figured out? As far as it not being an ATX case - as long as your mobo fits and is secured, I guess it doesn't matter.

 

[dsj]

It is an ATX case. more information is in my other power supply thread. I used the same size stands to screw the motherboard on. And the power supply switch is properly turned.

 

[leading edge]

I thought you said in your earlier post that it wasn't an ATX case, but ok.

I'll check out the other thread and see if I can come up with anything.