Possible to get by without a case?

El Greco

Member
Jun 18, 2006
26
0
0
I´m going to build an AMD rig and I would like to skip the case if it´s possible, but I don´t know how I could turn on the computer without it.

Does anybody know how to or any experience with not using a case?

 

PascalT

Golden Member
Nov 20, 2004
1,515
0
0
use a conductive material (like a screwdriver) and touch the two "power" strips of metal on the mobo to get it going
 

raincityboy

Senior member
Dec 30, 2004
394
0
0
Look in your mobo manual, and figure out which are the power switch pins. Short the pins together. I use a screwdriver
 

El Greco

Member
Jun 18, 2006
26
0
0
Thanks guys!

This sounds simple. I still have to order my rig and I´m going to try if this doesn´t work with a screwdriver. This sounds pretty easy.
 

jackschmittusa

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2003
5,972
1
0
There are a number of benefits from assembling your computer into a case. What reason could you possibly have for not using one?
 

Okasa

Member
Jan 22, 2005
168
0
0
if you want a permanant fix, just head down to the local radio shack, pick up a normal switch of some sort, solder some wire onto the ends and connect them via solder or some plastic connectors to the right pins and u have urself a makeshift switch. just make sure that if you do this dont leave the switch on the on position or it will just boot and shut down :)
 

unfalliblekrutch

Golden Member
May 2, 2005
1,418
0
0
or you can get a on switch from some old case in a dumpster and use that. I see no reason not to at least get a cheapie $10 case though.
 

El Greco

Member
Jun 18, 2006
26
0
0
Well it´s just that I dislike cases and would like to do something creative with the rig, like fix it on the wall or something.
 

Henny

Senior member
Nov 22, 2001
674
0
0
Originally posted by: Okasa
if you want a permanant fix, just head down to the local radio shack, pick up a normal switch of some sort, solder some wire onto the ends and connect them via solder or some plastic connectors to the right pins and u have urself a makeshift switch. just make sure that if you do this dont leave the switch on the on position or it will just boot and shut down :)

Use a door bell type switch (momentary). Solder on a twisted pair lead that's connected to a 2 pin header. Shrink warp the open contacts on the door bell switch.

This thing will become invaluable if you like to build PC's on the bench.

I'd avoid the screwdriver shorting method. Shorting the wrong two contacts could make your MB go "poof".

 

Henny

Senior member
Nov 22, 2001
674
0
0
Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
Henny

Perhaps you could suggest which 2 contacts in the case front group could do that? I doubt it.


It's in the MB's manual.
 

polypterus

Golden Member
Jan 14, 2001
1,766
1
76
Originally posted by: Henny
Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
Henny

Perhaps you could suggest which 2 contacts in the case front group could do that? I doubt it.


It's in the MB's manual.

I think he meant which two could make it go "poof." I doubt it too, I'm really sloppy with my screwdriver and I just run it over all the pins until it turns on. :p
 

raincityboy

Senior member
Dec 30, 2004
394
0
0
Originally posted by: Henny
Originally posted by: Okasa
if you want a permanant fix, just head down to the local radio shack, pick up a normal switch of some sort, solder some wire onto the ends and connect them via solder or some plastic connectors to the right pins and u have urself a makeshift switch. just make sure that if you do this dont leave the switch on the on position or it will just boot and shut down :)

Use a door bell type switch (momentary). Solder on a twisted pair lead that's connected to a 2 pin header. Shrink warp the open contacts on the door bell switch.

This thing will become invaluable if you like to build PC's on the bench.

I'd avoid the screwdriver shorting method. Shorting the wrong two contacts could make your MB go "poof".

Link for easy to find mom switches
 

Okasa

Member
Jan 22, 2005
168
0
0
in the mobo manual it tells u which contacts not to connect to ensure it dosent go 'poof'? what else is on there, restart, hdd led, speaker, i doubt that connecting any 2 of them would cause any serious dmg
 

Henny

Senior member
Nov 22, 2001
674
0
0
Originally posted by: FrizQuadrata
Originally posted by: Henny
Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
Henny

Perhaps you could suggest which 2 contacts in the case front group could do that? I doubt it.


It's in the MB's manual.

I think he meant which two could make it go "poof." I doubt it too, I'm really sloppy with my screwdriver and I just run it over all the pins until it turns on. :p

I don't know if actually shorting the wrong 2 pins would actually cause any damage but I'm not taking the chance. If you short one of the +5v LED supply pins to another pin that's trying to drive an output to 0 it could theorectically cause problems.


 

Lord Evermore

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
9,558
0
76
Don't forget the RFI issue. Having the system outside a case could cause interference with random things, and you might not notice it until you get it up on the wall. And if you happen to interfere with the neighbor's TV or cordless phone, you legally can't operate the system.
 

Talcite

Senior member
Apr 18, 2006
629
0
0
I think that's a bit excessive. I worked at a computer store, and our service department's workstation was without case so we could access and replace parts easily. There's no real problem with EMI issues. I've never had one before. Although I'd have to say mounting it on the wall is just asking for a dust problem.
 

Lord Evermore

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
9,558
0
76
Originally posted by: Talcite
I think that's a bit excessive. I worked at a computer store, and our service department's workstation was without case so we could access and replace parts easily. There's no real problem with EMI issues. I've never had one before. Although I'd have to say mounting it on the wall is just asking for a dust problem.

I didn't say there were guaranteed problems. Just something to keep in mind.
 

w00t

Diamond Member
Nov 5, 2004
5,545
0
0
well order a button shorting out the power button is quiet stupid everytime he needs to start his computer he said for his build he wants to skip the case so he needs to be able to start it easily and busting out a screw driver to turn on your computer isn't impressive to friends/family :)
 

Lord Evermore

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
9,558
0
76
Originally posted by: w00t
well order a button shorting out the power button is quiet stupid everytime he needs to start his computer he said for his build he wants to skip the case so he needs to be able to start it easily and busting out a screw driver to turn on your computer isn't impressive to friends/family :)

It should be turned on all the time anyway, he should only need to do it once. :)
 

JimPhelpsMI

Golden Member
Oct 8, 2004
1,261
0
0
Hi, There is only one pin in the Switch, Led grouping that could damage anything and it may not be close enough to any other pin to reach with a screwdriver It's a raw +5 in the speaker 4pin group. The pins are sometimes labeled. You may need a magnifiing glass to read it or check the MB manual. You are look for something like PWR SW or P Sw. Leds are there too. No resistor necessary. Try Radio shack for those too. Pwr Sw is momentary and normally open. The door bell suggested is ideal. I keep a push button on a lead with two pin connector for testing.

Good Luck, Jim
 

ArchAngel777

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
5,223
61
91
Originally posted by: FrizQuadrata
Originally posted by: Henny
Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
Henny

Perhaps you could suggest which 2 contacts in the case front group could do that? I doubt it.


It's in the MB's manual.

I think he meant which two could make it go "poof." I doubt it too, I'm really sloppy with my screwdriver and I just run it over all the pins until it turns on. :p

ROFL... I do the same thing... :D