PC Power switches

jutnm

jutnm

Active Member
since im building my own computer case does anyone know where i can buy a power/reset switch for computers?
 
Those you have to kind of shop around for unless ordering a replacement for a specific make and model case. Have an old beater around no longer used? Once you have a pair of momentary buttons all you need is the right gauge wires with the right sized mini plugs crimped onto the ends. But then that would be "do it yourself" for that too. If you run searches on switches you will find some sites pointing out switch boxes for pcs. That really helps? naaa!
 
ya it helped a little with the crimping of wires and momentary buttons, but i have tried googling it going to major computer hardware sites but all i get is LED buttons, would that still work, but iono the buttons are too small on the the led and i dont know what to put in front of it to make it easier to push ???? oo ya by the way i was shopping for case fans whats CFM ?????
 
I ran across a few articles on how many are even changing power and reset buttons when modding cases. By going to different vendors like TigerDirect, newegg, mwave, xoxide which carries cases by the tons, and other sites you will find only one or two stylish reset buttons or switches. That's why you may have to find an old beat up case and strip that down for those. Or you could look at other electronic suppliers for the larger variety of momentary, toggle, and other types. CFM is how the air flow is measured and is short for "cubic feet per minute". That applies to fans cpu, case, and otherwise.
 
Remember if you decide to wire your own switch you will have to end up at an electrobics supply store looking for the right sized plugs to crimp onto the ends of the wires used to plug into the block of pins on the board. I haven't tried looking in Radio Shack to see if they even that small size and type that would work there. Others have had the same fun trying to find replacements when they found out the switch was no good on their cases.
 
thankyou for ur time in helping me , im still going to continue my search for big push start and reset buttons, but ill lookin into the crimping ,thanks agains :)
 
A momentary is just like it sounds. As soon as you release it the contact is broken. The button presses two internal contacts together for the few seconds needed to get the system running. Later Windows will turn the board off at the end of it's shutdwon process. The old systems saw a two way switch with an on and off position where the on stayed on. But that's going back some years now.

ATX cases use the momentary type for both power and reset. A store like Radio Shack does have momentary buttons. But those are mounted with a thread on type circular nut where you would have to custom drill the opening. Those would be a little too awkward and shabby as well as cheap! The toggle is a stick shaped silver polished smooth surfaced type that would remain in the on position constantly and not advised while easier to install.
 
You wouldn't even want a toggle switch at this time. That would be used on an old IBM I386 where you saw the on and off positions not on a newer atx board. This why I mentioned before "not advised". The second link shows something you could even throw in an existing build to replace a power button there. You would have to add one wire for the led to light up. But that would be one to take a good look at for a custom case.
 
Without a power led that would show that you system is on. The other one seen before with the blue led actually looked better. But the thing to remember is going with one that is momentary and can be replaced easy enough. Once you choose a button to go with you may want to order a spare to keep onhand in case the first goes early or from eventual wear.
 
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