A Dilemma

Kilamon · Rated XXX Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 811

Ok, so I'm doing a pretty major overhaul (read: replacement) of my system and I've started with a new case. My old one was absolute crap, 1st gen pre-mod and the PCI slots never really meshed nor did the cooling. So this time, learning from my mistakes, I did some research thanks to a nice little avantgo channel subscription to gideontech who subsequently linked me to here. Grin

Anyways, I digress. I found the case I wanted, and it looked like it was getting good reviews everywhere and now that I have it, I love it. However, much like my motorcycle, there is something left to be desired. That said, allow me to present the issue and my proposed solution along wit the dilemma it presents.

My case: XG Quantum (MGE)
It's presently stock. I had to RMA the LCD due to dead pixels not showing the fan speed, but otherwise, all good.

The issue:
The door has a lock (good!) but without opening the door, the power and reset buttons are inaccessible. This is a pain in the a$$.

The proposal:
Drill a hole, mount a button above the existing button so that pressing the new button presses the existing one, like a rod that actuates on a point.

The dilemma:
I have no clue where to begin. I need parts, obviously, but where do I get the parts I need? I want the button to look professional.

The option:
I spared all the parts from the old case (except the frame and floppy drive) so I have a pair of buttons that were used for power and reset. I could mount a second button in a hidden location, like under the front bezel in front of the feet, but I don't know about the wiring needed for that. Would I connect the pair of wires together at about the points where they connect at the pins? If I do this, how can I ensure it will still appear professional? If I had a choice, I'd kind of prefer this option as I think a hidden power key is pretty cool (like the car door button in Vin's XXX movie).

As an aside, has anyone ever done a positive pressure case? I'm thinking I may turn this in to one....

PRpaTi · Rated R Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 89 Location: SI, NY

If I were you I'd do the hidden button mod. The idea of the front button hitting the internal button is also nice, but you have a bigger chance of ruining the esthetics of the case. The wiring shouldn't be a lot of trouble. Just jank the old button (with the original wiring, of course), strip the ends of the wires and somehow connect them to the header of the case button in their right order (+ and -). I think that as long as you don't press both buttons @ the same time, you'll be ok. I don't know the exact voltage that runs through that header, but at the most, you'll be splitting the current in half, not increasing it. The worst that can happen is that not enough current goes to either one of the buttons and, when pressed, the MB won't recognize the closure of the circuit... ergo, it will not turn on Smile

So, do a dry run on it (before you mount the button on the case) to see if it works. If you want to play it safe and have an older MB around, you should try it there just in case.

It's a little late and I'm not thinking straight, so maybe you should wait for somebody else to confirm what I just wrote... Grin

LEGAL JARGON: PRpaTi does not take responsibility for any hardware failure and/or damage incurred by following these instrucctions Laughing

FOX · Posted: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 02:28:52 Post Subject:

i would just go to radio shack buy a couple switches and mount them on the outside of the case or underneath it or something....
get a drill and the propert bit and mount them if you need

BeerCheeze · Posted: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 11:08:23 Post Subject:

You want my respect?? (Shut up you do too!!!)

Go to radio shack and get a little motor, and all the parts need to build a remote control (http://www.rentron.com/RF-Remote.htm) and make it a remote controlled power button!

Laughing