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Using a toggle switch to power PC

S

somethingsketchy

Golden Member
The other day I was looking through the website below, and saw these "military style switches". It got me thinking of a possible DIY project, to create a simple on/off switch for my desktop. The reason for this potential project, is the motherboard power/reset/hdd pins and my current case's power and reset cables do not reach (about 6 inches too short).

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/58...c401s318#blank

What items would be needed to make a switch that would connect to a motherboard's Power and Reset pins? The motherboard in question is an MSI P55-GD65. Currently I've been removing the side panel and manually press the onboard power switch, however I'm wondering if this toggle switches can work the same way?

Thanks in advance.
 
It's pretty easy. I found such a switch and connected it to the UPS to which the PC is connected. I didn't make, I bought it. It came from Ace Hardware, and is a heavy duty extension cord with a built in on/off rocker switch.

ExtCord.jpg
 
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The answer is yes, they should work. You could also just extend the cables of your case by splicing some extra cable onto it or replacing it altogether.
 
If you want a switch to the mobo pins you will need a momentary switch, not a toggle. while you could use that keep in mind you will have to bump it, switch it on for a count of one and then back off otherwise your machine willl come on and then back off again.
 
LOLz

I chopped up an extra three pin fan connector adaptor, used two of the wires for the "power button" and yanked the plastic connector off the other end and have it dangling out of my case. To turn it on you just lick your fingers and pinch the wires together. It was free, took maybe 30 seconds with just a pocket knife and works much better than opening the dang thing and trying to short just the right pins with a screw driver.

Im certain a 25 cent switch from radio shack or the like connected to the end of the loose wires would work just as well.
 
Oh and make sure its a "temporary" switch...or just click it once and then back. If its just a regular switch and you flip it once its going to act just like holding down the power button and the computer will turn back off.
 
EliteRetard said:
Oh and make sure its a "temporary" switch...or just click it once and then back. If its just a regular switch and you flip it once its going to act just like holding down the power button and the computer will turn back off.
Click to expand...


You saw that too, eh?
:thumbsup:
 
Most of you have missed the point. The switch I describe totally removes power from ever reaching the PC. I use it when I go on a trip and it amounts to totally disonnecting the PC from a UPS. It is like unplugging the computer.
 
somethingsketchy said:
The other day I was looking through the website below, and saw these "military style switches". It got me thinking of a possible DIY project, to create a simple on/off switch for my desktop. The reason for this potential project, is the motherboard power/reset/hdd pins and my current case's power and reset cables do not reach (about 6 inches too short).

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/58...c401s318#blank

What items would be needed to make a switch that would connect to a motherboard's Power and Reset pins? The motherboard in question is an MSI P55-GD65. Currently I've been removing the side panel and manually press the onboard power switch, however I'm wondering if this toggle switches can work the same way?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

It'd probably just splice some extra wire into the normal headers to be honest.
 
For me if I wanted a rocker switch:

Enter BIOS. Set "power on when power is restored" : On/Always
Save and exit.
Install cable. Shutting off the rocker and turning it back on with cause the pc to boot.

Pretty easy.
 
corkyg said:
Most of you have missed the point. The switch I describe totally removes power from ever reaching the PC. I use it when I go on a trip and it amounts to totally disonnecting the PC from a UPS. It is like unplugging the computer.
Click to expand...

That's not what he wants though, so how would that help?

I would just use a soldering iron and some wire and extend the cables you have.
 
Soundmanred said:
That's not what he wants though, so how would that help?

I would just use a soldering iron and some wire and extend the cables you have.
Click to expand...

Seems I misread also.

A military switch like the one Frozen cpu would work assuming you buy a non-latching version. Personally I would not wire it directly to the board (to avoid damage in a short) but use a relay to isolate the board from the switch and wiring.
 
Thank you all for your comments and links for some additional ideas. I'll look into some extension cables or find some wire to splice. Speaking of which, what kind of gauge wire should I use, to splice something like a power/reset switch? 24 Gauge wire?
 
somethingsketchy said:
Thank you all for your comments and links for some additional ideas. I'll look into some extension cables or find some wire to splice. Speaking of which, what kind of gauge wire should I use, to splice something like a power/reset switch? 24 Gauge wire?
Click to expand...


24, 26, 22 is all good. 24 or 26 stranded is most likely what is in your case. best to solder and use heatshrink if you have it so you know this is not a cause if you ever have problems. Also an FYI, polarity is unimportant for power and reset case switches so don't go crazy if you find some nice unmarked wire in the junk drawer.
 
somethingsketchy said:
Thank you all for your comments and links for some additional ideas. I'll look into some extension cables or find some wire to splice. Speaking of which, what kind of gauge wire should I use, to splice something like a power/reset switch? 24 Gauge wire?
Click to expand...

24 gauge is probably excessive, but it would work. You don't really need to pass much current through the wires, you just need to close the circuit with a reasonably low resistance.
 
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