Stupid Dell power button to arcade button - 4 wires ??!?!??!

[bcgamer]

Ok I've got this fell computer most likely going to be a proprietary part.
Off the motherboard to the button there is a 4wire cable going to the button from the motherboard.
I'm trying to run it to an arcade button to start the PC.

I was hoping it would be a simple two wire setup, but of course dell screws it up.
How can I get around this? Anybody know which wires are which?

I have to actually cut the wires at the the PC button because they are not designed to pop out unfort.

Cheers

[Titchgamer]

Never come across that personally.

But i would get a multi meter on the switch and see what it is doing.

Making 2 switchs, 1 make/1 break etc that should help you work out what you need to do.

[yotsuya]

Is the button lit? If it is, relax.

[big10p]

Yep, 2 wires are probably for an LED. The header on Dell's I've seen are standard. There should be 2 pins you can short momentarily to start the PC.

[JDFan]

8 minute youtube video that details the process on dell systems :

! No longer available

[bcgamer]

Mines not that old ribbon cable style
Complete different, wish I could upload a pic on here, my phones file size is too big

[JDFan]

Mines not that old ribbon cable style
Complete different, wish I could upload a pic on here, my phones file size is too big

Could upload to photobucket or similar and just post a link rather than pic !

Or post what model and format (desktop,tower, sff, ultra slim, etc.) system is

[yotsuya]

Dude, cut the wires by the switch. Short two of them. The two that start the machine are the ones you want.

[pbj]

Make sure you discharge the capacitors first.  Poking around a motherboard is very dangerous and you could get electrocuted.

[thomas_surles]

Is the pc for a cab? If so check this bios and see if you can have it turn on when power is connected like on my optiplex. Then you can just wire one of these to the power strip.

[Scotty_C]

Dell Optiplex 990, 9010, 9020(maybe more but this is all i have experience with) computers have 5 wires for the power button.  You'll want to use the Yellow and Black wires.

[bcgamer]

Thanks guys
Yes the last pic is the same one I have!

Just cut them at the button I guess ? Run them to a switch/button!  Awesome people/ quick responses over here!!

[UEDan]

I'm curious, have pictures of the actual button?

[lilshawn]

it's always switch to ground... so i'd just attach an alligator wire to the chassis and poke the wires till it turns on.

tha'd be your power button. 

[bcgamer]

I do but I don't have a photobuxket account to embed in the thread.
It's in a very very stupid place tho

Very top left of the case, I'll try to find a pic online of the same case.

[Lamaman1971]

Hey I have one of these stupid ass Dell machines. When you figure it out let me know - Ive been avoiding it until now!

[Phreakwars]

Just look up what motherboard it is, and get the manual from the manufacturer. That should show which ones you need.

[Lamaman1971]

Phreakwars : If only looking up the manual was that easy! Ive looked everywhere and cannot find any documentation on the motherboard or the pin out of that odd power cable in the 990.

[ark_ader]

On the Optiplex 3000 there are four wires coming out of the button.  The black and green are the two you need.

[lilshawn]

the answer is simple.

turn the computer off....

use a wire grounded to the metal frame to probe each wire. whichever one turns the computer on is the one you need to attach the switch to.