Power Button

[GregD]

So, I am using an HP DC7800 Ultra Slim Desktop in my cabinet and I want to use an arcade button mounted on the back of the cabinet as a power button.  This is really easy to do with a normal pc that has a regular pc case but this pc has a button that is integrated to the board.  I tore it apart and I see the power button mounted to the board with prongs.  I tried to solder to the prongs coming through the underside of the board but there just isn't enough room.  I am thinking that I need to just rip the thing off and then solder to the contact points on the board but I am nervous about doing this.  Can I harm the board by doing this?  I can put a pic up when I get home.  Thanks

[Mysterioii]

CAN you harm the board?  Absolutely!  WILL you harm the board?  Not if you're careful!   

[kahlid74]

I would try not to "rip" it off.  Instead I would see if there is a way you can apply the soldering iron's heat and melt it so you can pull it out.  In the end the only way you'd hurt the MB is if you pull it off and in turn pull up the contacts/leed ways.

[05SRT4]

Is there a model number for the motherboard? Id like to see a pic. Id do what ^^^^^^^ said.

[Dervacumen]

I looked up your MOBO on google images and see what you're talking about though I'm not sure which of the switches is the power switch.  If you do pull the switch off and wire leads to the board (which seems reasonable) you might see if you can clip off the legs on the top side of the mobo to remove the component first.  I find it easier to desolder clipped off pin legs one at a time rather than try to remove all the solder on each leg to pull out the component whole.