Power button

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Guest

I have an old computer and I think all it need is a button to turn it on.
What part do I need to look for? I also would like to know could I use an
USB or a cable to plug the old computer to my computer to do some work in it?
 
Lauria said:
I have an old computer and I think all it need is a button to turn it on.
What part do I need to look for? I also would like to know could I use an
USB or a cable to plug the old computer to my computer to do some work in it?
Click to expand...

How do you know that the power switch is at fault? Have you already
swapped out the power supply with a known-working one? If not, I would
try that first. Otherwise you would need to replace the power switch on
the case.

As for your second question, it depends on what sort of work you want to
do on the old computer.


Malke
 
Lauria said:
I have an old computer and I think all it need is a button to turn it on.
What part do I need to look for? I also would like to know could I use an
USB or a cable to plug the old computer to my computer to do some work in it?
Click to expand...

That button is a case part and which replacement to look for would vary
depending on the make and model of the computer case. There's also the
issue of front panel power buttons on many older cases switching the AC
supplying the entire power supply and more recent power buttons serving
to momentarily send a signal to the motherboard when the user wants to
toggle MOST of the computer's power status.

The file transfer technology that's most likely to be compatible with
BOTH older AND newer computers (and accompanying Windows operating
systems) would be telephone modems and Ethernet. Adding a Network
Interface Card (NIC) to the older computer would probably allow you to
connect it to a newer computer's integrated Ethernet port with a
crossover cable. Note that crossover cables are usable when you are
connecting ONLY TWO COMPUTERS. The software on a generic Windows XP
installation CD can help with making the networking settings.

It MAY be easier to temporarily install the older computer's hard drive
in the newer computer OR an external USB enclosure though.
 
I want to go into my old computer and clean it up, defrag it, format it and
etc. I'm planning on re-install it and have it ready for my daughter.
Someone was telling me about KVM. What does it really do and do I really
need it?
Thanks,
Lauria
 
It won't be internet ready. I'm just want to set it up for my daughter and
someday, I'll have a router to add to it. Where can I find the switch part
for it? Is there anything online that I can look at the diagram and
determine if it's the switch or not?
thanks,
Lauria
 
What part do I need to look for?"
Click to expand...
Depends upon what type of Motherboard (ergo power supply) the computer has.
- If AT (Advanced Technology), the power switch is a hefty item which is
permanently attached to the power supply. To replace the switch, you must
replace the power supply.
- If ATX (Advanced Technology Extended), the 'power switch' is a small
item that plugs onto two pins on the motherboard. I don't know of a source
for ATX switches.
Steve
 
Lauria said:
I want to go into my old computer and clean it up, defrag it, format it and
etc. I'm planning on re-install it and have it ready for my daughter.
Someone was telling me about KVM. What does it really do and do I really
need it?
Thanks,
Lauria
Click to expand...

You apparently haven't done methodical troubleshooting or at least you
haven't answered my question about the power supply.

1. Swap out the power supply for a known-working one. Make sure the test
psu is compatible with the one used on the old computer. Some older
computer models (Dell, HP) used proprietary psu connections. Since you
didn't provide any details about the old computer, that's as specific as
I can get. For instance, if you had told me the old computer is an
eMachine I would probably just tell you to test the psu and if that
doesn't work, forget it.

2. If the test psu works, replace the old psu. If the test psu doesn't
work, then your problems might be the power switch on the case OR it
might be a dead motherboard. You have to do methodical troubleshooting
to find out because there is no point in searching for a replacement
power switch for the case if the motherboard is dead.

3. To do what you want on the old system, you will need to be able to
boot into Windows. That means fixing the old computer as it is or
getting rid of it as not worth it.

4. A KVM switch is a Keyboard-Video-Mouse switch that enables you to use
one keyboard, one monitor, and one mouse with multiple computers. All
computers must be able to boot into their operating systems.

I'm not saying this to hurt your feelings but based on your posts your
best course of action would be to have a local computer professional
take a look at your old machine and do a diagnosis. I do this for my
clients all the time and it isn't very expensive. The computer
professional will not be found at a BigStoreUSA type of place.


Malke
 
Lauria said:
It won't be internet ready. I'm just want to set it up for my daughter and
someday, I'll have a router to add to it. Where can I find the switch part
for it? Is there anything online that I can look at the diagram and
determine if it's the switch or not?
thanks,
Lauria
Click to expand...

While many broadband Internet connections utilize Ethernet connections
between the computer(s) and a cable/DSL modem or router, computers can
be connected together as a Local Area Network (LAN) using Ethernet
components without connecting the computers to the Internet. For three
or more computers you would need a network hub (included in most
routers), but with ONLY two computers you only need the Ethernet
interfaces in each of the two computers and a special cable called a
"crossover cable".

You would have to use a search engine like Google or Ask to find the
computer case manufacturer's web site. Even then there's a possibility
replacement parts are no longer available. It's not rally possible for
anybody to help much more without more details about the computer. As in
many product lines, the replacement part providers are only willing to
break the systems down to a certain level and you may have to purchase a
bigger assembly (like an whole empty computer case) to get what you
need. Eventually parts and assemblies for older models are simply no
longer available.

Search Google.com or Ask.com for computer troubleshooting to obtain
links to articles about identifying the cause of computer problems.
Consider the possibility that the newer types with the power switch
connected to the motherboard may be vulnerable to that wire getting
accidentally disconnected.
 
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