Need help deciphering f panel header diagram

creilly13

Junior Member
Jul 8, 2016
3
0
0
Hello,

I just bought a new case and want to connect the front panel to the motherboard. However, I'm not fluent in motherboard diagrams so I was hoping somebody could help me figure out where to put all of my connectors.

Here are pictures showing the connectors and diagram: https://imgur.com/a/WuhIo
Thanks!
 

Layer8

Member
May 3, 2016
43
0
6
Which mainboard is this?
This seems to be made for a specific case with it own header. The layout does not match what you would usually expect.
There should be a ground for each of the important pins next to each other (e.g. PWR_BTN, Reset and LED).
There is no HDD LED mentioned.

You can use the pins 5 and 6 for your power button, it needs PWR_BTN and ground, orientation does not matter.
For the PWR LED, you could use pins 1 and 12.
But without doing some magic (as in "building you own adapter") you won't be able to use either reset or the HDD LED (if even possible, I don't see anything there).
 
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creilly13

Junior Member
Jul 8, 2016
3
0
0
Which mainboard is this?
This seems to be made for a specific case with it own header. The layout does not match what you would usually expect.
There should be a ground for each of the important pins next to each other (e.g. PWR_BTN, Reset and LED).
There is no HDD LED mentioned.

You can use the pins 5 and 6 for your power button, it needs PWR_BTN and ground, orientation does not matter.
For the PWR LED, you could use pins 1 and 12.
But without doing some magic (as in "building you own adapter") you won't be able to use either reset or the HDD LED (if even possible, I don't see anything there).

Thanks for your help, it's a dell motherboard from a prebuilt computer so it previously had a single connector.
 

piasabird

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
17,168
60
91
If you are trying to service a motherboard make sure the power is disconnected completely. You could short out some connectors. The power plug should be removed from the back of the computer's power supply and then give the computer a few minutes (20) to fully discharge all resisters and capacitors.

Read your motherboard manual and look for the Front Panel wiring diagram. It might say F_Panel or something like that. Usually you can download a manual or a diagram under the support section for your computer model or motherboard manual. Retail computers may not want you messing with this and consider it only for computer repair people.

PWR is the on off power switch
PLED is the Power LED
RSET is for the reset switch
HDD is for the drive activity indicator

These are the important things to make it work i.e. turn on and off

You also need plugs for Front HD Audio to plug in a microphone or headphones or headset.

You may also need Front USB. USB may have 2 plugs or more. USB3 is usually a larger plug with a thicker cable. USB2 is a smaller plug similar to front HD Audio.

You might have the option for a speaker if the case has a speaker. Most motherboard have a rudimentary speaker. This is just used for beep codes that motherboards use when something is wrong or there is an error or the board overheats. A lot of motherboards have a small pezio speaker on the motherboard. Mostly it just beeps.
 
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