• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Starting a PC without a switch?

daedal

Gawd
Joined
May 10, 2005
Messages
686
I've seen a few posts of you guys having your PC's components out on your desks without switches and read that you can start them using a screwdriver? How do you guys manage that? Do you simply touch the positive and negative pins on your motherboard?
 
You can use a screwdriver or even something like a nickel.

/edit: oops. Just realized you were in Canada. Well, you must get some American money every once in a while, just like we get yours. Although I guess Canadian coins are still made of metal.... Man I need some sleep.
 
No...it's just a small electrical spark between the screwdriver and the pins. I've never had a problem with it. You can use a jumper or something if you want some insulation.
 
Use a paperclip. Short green to black.

Be aware some PSU's won't start without a minimum load.
 
The pins they're talking about are the power switch pins on the header (where the power LED, HD LED, and speaker connect. The thread wasn't very clear, it almost sounded like people were talking about power pins, which definitely SHOULDN'T be shorted. I like to use a phillips head screwdriver to make sure I only touch the correct two pins and it's never been a problem for me.
 
Fenris_Ulf said:
The pins they're talking about are the power switch pins on the header (where the power LED, HD LED, and speaker connect. The thread wasn't very clear, it almost sounded like people were talking about power pins, which definitely SHOULDN'T be shorted. I like to use a phillips head screwdriver to make sure I only touch the correct two pins and it's never been a problem for me.

Whoops :eek: Read that completely wrong. Well if you ever need to short a PSU what I posted is how to do it.
 
I've done the PSU trick before. ;)
I was just wondering how to start the PC if my switch wasn't available. (it's glued onto my front panel and it seems to delicate to undo)
 
You could always get a DFI mobo...some of them have built in switches on the motherboard for just such a purpose :cool: .
 
As I said, and a few others suggested. Grab a screw driver, find your "pwr on" on the motherboard and short them for a second. Your computer should start up.
 
I think a better Idea would be to go into your bios and enable Power On via the keyboard, where you type a certain string into your keybaord and it will power up your PC. Its very handy.
 
Naldo said:
I think a better Idea would be to go into your bios and enable Power On via the keyboard, where you type a certain string into your keybaord and it will power up your PC. Its very handy.

handy, yes.
reliable, no.
 
good idea...!

I have all the stuff to make that in my garage... inface, if you got an old case, it shoudol have all that in it anyway... (besides the heat shrink)
 
ok why not just install a wireless doorbell to the wake on lan of the nic and then have a nifty remote starter for your pc?

QM

i mean, unless you're just trying to short out the 2 pins on the motherboard and keep your case open all the time. or i guess you could just cut the wires from the button and then touch them together all the time.
 
My first question is this:

Why do you wish not to use a button to start your pc?

My suggestion is this:

If you are just wanting your mobo out in the open, get an old case, pull the actual power button and attached cord out of the case, hook it to your mobo and let the button just sit there. That way you wouldnt have to use a screwdriver or something simular to make the connection. I used to use this when I was troubleshooting friends systems and needed to pull the mobo out of the case.
 
Tanis143 said:
My first question is this:

Why do you wish not to use a button to start your pc?

My suggestion is this:

If you are just wanting your mobo out in the open, get an old case, pull the actual power button and attached cord out of the case, hook it to your mobo and let the button just sit there. That way you wouldnt have to use a screwdriver or something simular to make the connection. I used to use this when I was troubleshooting friends systems and needed to pull the mobo out of the case.
Simply put; because I don't have an old case.
Not at my place anyway. I'll just use a scrwedriver. :D
 
I cant believe this thread got this big....its about shorting 2 pins to turn on a pc....we all have too much time on our hands. But im a tech, and i use anything metal that is in my reach when im working on the bench.....
 
~GoaT~ said:
I used to use the screw driver method, then I spent the 15 and got this

I just ripped the reset switch out of an old AT case.....bud have used a screwdriver for years with no problem.....but I am spoiled now that I have a switch.... :p
 
you really don't have to be all that careful with the screwdriver as long as you only touch two pins at a time
 
IceyN1pPles said:
I cant believe this thread got this big....its about shorting 2 pins to turn on a pc....we all have too much time on our hands. But im a tech, and i use anything metal that is in my reach when im working on the bench.....

That's typically what I do, I sometimes use car keys
 
Back
Top