How do I know which way to plug in the device connector plugs?

[Patrick G]

I just built my own computer using the Epox 8KHA+ motherboard, and the manual does a pretty good job of helping a newbie out. But, one thing it doesn't do is tell you which way the device connectors actually go on the pins, when connecting them to the board. When plugging all the USB connectors, Power LED connectors, pc speaker connectors, etc. to the board, I wasn't sure which way they actually went on the pins. Any advice?

[It_The_Cow]

Most of the time, connectors won't go in to the port if it's not correct. USB's are pretty much fool-proof. For the motherboard pins, read the manual and look at the diagrams. It should specify what goes where. In addition, if you look on the MB, there should be small print by the pins telling what connects to them. Match this up to what it says on the cables.

[Patrick G]

Yes, I did all that, but it still doesn't tell me which way the plug sits on the pin. It'll go either way. After I got my computer assembled, I started it up, but noticed the power LED wasn't on. So, I just turned the puter off, turned the Power LED connector plug around, and restarted. Sure enough, it was just on backwards. I wish I knew if any of the others were.

[mw521]

Originally posted by Patrick G
Yes, I did all that, but it still doesn't tell me which way the plug sits on the pin. It'll go either way. After I got my computer assembled, I started it up, but noticed the power LED wasn't on. So, I just turned the puter off, turned the Power LED connector plug around, and restarted. Sure enough, it was just on backwards. I wish I knew if any of the others were.
There is a positive and negative. The ones I have seen the white wire is negative and the colored wire is positive. It won't matter on like your reset switch but it might on your led's. :beer:

[CrystalMethod]

Only the LED's really matter which way you put them on. One way works, the other way doesn't. The connectors for the power and reset don't really matter which way you put them on (it's just a contact switch). The speaker only matters if you want it louder or quieter. It'll be quieter if you've connected it backwards. The USB connectors are usually "keyed" to have one of the 10 pins blocked on the connector, and you can tell how to hook it up by looking at the pins on the motherboard. If for some reason it doesn't have the blocked hole on the connector, the ribbon cable will have a pink (or red) mark along one sided. If you look closely at the pins on the motherboard, you see pins 1 and 2 labeled. The the side of the connector with the red/pink marking goes on that side. The same goes for any extra com ports that may be included with your motherboard.

[deez]

some of the EPOX boards are picky about having the power and reset switch plugged in backwards. They actually lock up in the middle of the boot sequence. at least the 8KTA3 will

best advice is read the book and look for the little arrows on the back side of each connection coming from your case (very hard to see...stare at the non-prinetd side of the little pieces of plastic) and that is the +

[DocClock aka MadClocker]

Usb connectors usualy have a little arrow, or triangle which indicates pin#1, and the board will also have pin 1 printed on it....some just have the number 1 next to the pin.
With Hdd and floppy cables pin 1 is the red striped wire, and and on the drives themselves pin 1 will always point towards the power lead.
As far as the rest of the little connectors, it's pretty much up to the manufacturer as to which way the connectors go...pay close attention
Hope this helps

[Arkaine23]

leds/switches

White or Black wire is negative.
Colored wire is positive.

On the ones without a +/- designation, look closely at the ones you've already connected. They should look differernt if upside-down. On my machine all connectors went on the same way. I'd use one of the +/- designated connectors to determine which side is up for the ones that don't have a +/- in you manual's diagram.

[deez]

Originally posted by Arkaime23
leds/switches

White or Black wire is negative.
Colored wire is positive.



Generally this is true but with an el cheapo case the wires are sometimes not coded correctly