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Installing the Front Panel Connectors

 

We're almost finished!

One somewhat tedious but vital step in assembling your homebuilt computer is to connect all those little wires for the front-panel switches and LED's from the case to the motherboard.

If you purchased a "barebones" computer with the motherboard already mounted, then this was probably done for you already. Otherwise, you'll have to do it yourself. Hopefully, you have good eyes and can read the tiny lettering on both the connectors and the motherboard. Otherwise, break out the bifocals!

 

Each switch and LED on the front panel has a connector attached to it that must be connected to the appropriate pins on the motherboard. Unfortunately, there's no universal rule about the positions of these pins. To determine the correct pins to attach the connectors to, you will have to consult the motherboard manual or look for the teensy lettering on the motherboard adjacent to the pins.

Some of the connectors (especially the LED's) are polarized, meaning that they have to be connected in the correct polarity. But unlike most other connectors in a computer, it is possible -- easy, in fact -- to attach the panel leads backwards. Usually this won't do any damage; the LED simply won't light up (or else will stay on all the time) until you correct the polarity.

Polarized panel lead connectors have a little arrow or a plus sign adjacent to the conductor that attaches to the positive pin, but no keyway or interlock to prevent you from attaching them backwards. So if one of your LED's doesn't work (or if it always stays lit, even when it shouldn't be), try reversing the connector. Chances are that you attached it backwards.

The basic front panel headers found on most motherboards are those for the PC speaker (the one built into most cases that beeps when the computer passes POST), the power switch, the reset switch, the hard drive activity LED, the power LED, and sometimes a few others. Of these, the leads for the LEDs must be connected in the proper polarity in order to work properly. The rest should be connected in the proper polarity just for the sake of doing things professionaly, but they will work even if they're attached backwards.

 

Time to Double-Check

Before firing up your new computer, take a few moments to double check the following items:

• Check all the fans to make sure they are properly connected. Starting up your computer with the CPU fan disconnected will likely kill your processor!

• Make sure that all wires and cables are safely tied away from the fans. Neatness counts. Use plastic cable ties, not metal twist-ties. If you can't get plastic cable ties, then use electrical tape.

• Check that all of the power and data cables are securely connected and are attached in the correct polarity.

• Make sure that there are no tools, screws, or jumpers floating around in the case.

• Check that all expansion cards and RAM modules are securely seated.

 

Get Ready for The Moment of Truth

Everything checks out okay? Great! Now comes the moment of truth: Get ready to start up your homebuilt computer for the first time!

 

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Home

• Assembling your New Computer
  • Getting Ready
  • Installing the Motherboard
  • Installing the Processor
  • Installing the CPU Cooler
  • Installing RAM
  • Installing Expansion Cards
  • Installing the Hard Drives
  • Installing Auxiliary Drives
  • Installing the Panel Connectors (this page)
  • Firing It Up