External on/off switch - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Smackre · 11-10-2006, 12:43 AM

What is the best way to add a external on/off switch to a computer. I ask this because im mounting a computer inside of a machine and need a way of turning it on / off. I would just take the on / off from the case and mount it outside but its a dell case which makes it not very easy. So i am looking for other options. Any suggestions would be great ! :-)

flat5 · 11-10-2006, 06:23 AM

The switch is a momentary "make" shorting two connectors on the motherboard. It's a 5 volt circuit. Safe for you to mess with. Parallel the circuit.

Find the two wires that go from the "power" switch on the front of the case to the motherboard. Remove the jumper/connecter from the motherboard untill the following alterations are completed. Just to help protect the motherboard from static etc.

Break open the insulation on each wire without breaking the wire. Stagger the breaks so that the wires can not easily short to each other. Connect two new wires to the exposed wires and connect them to a momentary spst switch (single pole single throw) mounted where you want it.
Tape up the open spliced connections. (Replace the jumper).

I might use the plastic connector things with screws to make the connections.

Or make a new two wire cable-switch with a jumper and leave the old cable-switch disconnected but available in the future.

11-10-2006, 12:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
Smackre Addict	External on/off switch What is the best way to add a external on/off switch to a computer. I ask this because im mounting a computer inside of a machine and need a way of turning it on / off. I would just take the on / off from the case and mount it outside but its a dell case which makes it not very easy. So i am looking for other options. Any suggestions would be great ! :-) __________________ Intel® Pentium® M Processor 730 (1.60 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB) 17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen XGA+ Display 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm 256MB NVIDA® GeForce™ Go 6800

11-10-2006, 06:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	The switch is a momentary "make" shorting two connectors on the motherboard. It's a 5 volt circuit. Safe for you to mess with. Parallel the circuit. Find the two wires that go from the "power" switch on the front of the case to the motherboard. Remove the jumper/connecter from the motherboard untill the following alterations are completed. Just to help protect the motherboard from static etc. Break open the insulation on each wire without breaking the wire. Stagger the breaks so that the wires can not easily short to each other. Connect two new wires to the exposed wires and connect them to a momentary spst switch (single pole single throw) mounted where you want it. Tape up the open spliced connections. (Replace the jumper). I might use the plastic connector things with screws to make the connections. Or make a new two wire cable-switch with a jumper and leave the old cable-switch disconnected but available in the future. Last edited by flat5; 11-12-2006 at 06:25 PM..