Motherboard Socket Connections

Hi All,

My computer is a self-built WindowsXP Pro using a Gigabyte GA-7VA Motherboard which has been operating normally for the past three to four years. In the process of investigating why a USB connector was not working, I unfortunately disconnected what I thought was a socket, instead it was a group of conectors associated with the power LED, reset switch, and power switch, etc. In spite of the fact that I assembled these components previously, now I'm confused. I have the GA-7VA Motherboard Installation Guide but the wiring color and pin reference color and the printing is not making sense to me now. The individual sockets are labled: H.D.D. LED, POWER LED (2 units), RESET SW, and POWER SW.

If anyone has experience with this Motherboard or feels brave enough to work with me, I will provide more details about the relationships stated above. My fear is that if I make a wrong connection that I'll damage the Motherboard.

 

In all the PC builds I've done, I've never had a mainboard manual that told me which way to attach all these connectors. It simply told you which pins represent which connector. And the wires coming from your case should all be labelled.

Armed with that information, you should be able to at least make the correct basic connections even if they are in effect, backwards. And I'd guess that if you have the power and reset connections backwards, it probably doesn't even matter.

From there on, follow the wisdom of MaximumPC's staff, "if it doesn't work one way, reverse the connector and try again. You can't hurt anything. ".

 

TonyTand Chiles4,

Allow me to provide some additional information.

1 2​

HD+1 O O 1 MSG+​

HD- O O MSG-​

RES- O O PW+​

RES+ O O PW-​

NC O​

The columns under 1 and 2 represent pins and their locations are color coded. The significance of the 1's next to pins 1 and 2 escapes me. Pins 1 and 3 are blue and on the Installation Guide have a line connecting them. Pins 2 and 4 are yellow with a similar connecting line. Additionally, the location of pins 1 and 2 have a + sign. Pins 5 and 7 are green, pins 6 and 8 are red with the location at pin 6 labled with a plus sign.

The wiring and the sockets from the front panel are:

2 hole socket, orange and white, labled POWER SW
2 hole socket, blue and white, labled RESET SW
2 hole socket, red and white. labled H.D.D. LED
1 hole socket, white, labled POWER LED
1 hole socket, green, labled POWER LED

The pin diagram needs some editing. the pins should line up under the 1 and 2 and the NC pin should be under column 1. If you would care to assist me further, I would be most appreciative. One thing that bothers, is no markings for the positve voltages on the sockets. Thank you for your prompt responses.

 

Hi

attach 2 hole socket, red and white. labled H.D.D. LED to HD with red to + and white to -.

attach 2 hole socket, orange and white, labled POWER SW with orange to PW+ and white to PW-.

attach 2 hole socket, blue and white, labled RESET SW with blue to RES+ and white to RES-.

attach 1 hole socket, white, labled POWER LED
1 hole socket, green, labled POWER LED
Green to MSG+ and white to MSG- only place left

 

sparrow,

The information you provided was exactly what I needed. My computer is now up and running. Thank you very much for such a fine response.

 

WHOA! All hail Sparrow - the new case wiring guru!!! Very impressive!

Can the moral of the story be that white wires go to negative connector pins? And what is the significance of the ground symbol (inverted triangle) on all the case connectors?

In defense of myself (and probably others) I have to say that this is one area where motherboard makers have really dropped the ball. As I said, in all the years I've been building PCs I've never encountered a manual that actually tells you the "right way" of connecting all the case connectors.

 

Hi Chiles4 and TonyT,
Your advice was accurate and perfectly correct, but I saw derfsch needed specific advice, and as he was waiting, I just gave it to him. I know the red/white colors on the hdd led mean red is hot or the led doesn't lite up, so just assumed the same is likely true for all, i.e white is always ground. Most of the others don't matter, as you have said already.