Can I use my old HP pavillion case to build a new desk top?

[44surf]

I want to try and build my own PC. Can I use my old 2008 HP Pavillion case? My system crashed...the motherboard is bad according to the repair tech. He said not to sink another penny into it. I am interested in learning how to build my own system and was hoping I could use the case. Any ideas out there?

 

[44surf]

I am not hearing beeps...🙁 Old board and new board had a separate connector. I have the audio connected to the connector.

 

[44surf]

on the back of the MB it says FOXCONN E253117 94v-8 mli It's hard to read...tiny. It then says Product of China with the # 1768897498...or maybe a B I am also not sure it the 8's aren't 0's with /'s through them.

 

[44surf]

Mal...that is what I see too. I did not know what COL was talking about!

Also...thanks for listing the old mb.

 

[44surf]

Oh yes...that is it. That # is listed on a sticker on the front of the board.

 

[COLGeek]

off topic:
I have yet to see the new avatar show up, I still see the alien with the blue and red pills..
back to topic:
the actual motherboard is listed on page 1..

Looking for the original mobo info now (from the first page). Of course, HP, nor Foxconn, don't make it easy to find....

When you see the new avatar it will be most cool....

 

[44surf]

I will try and post a picture of the new MB.

 

[COLGeek]

I will try and post a picture of the new MB.

I actually have the manual right in front of me.

 

[44surf]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=13-138-283-Z03&ISList=13-138-283-Z01,13-138-283-Z02,13-138-283-Z03,13-138-283-Z04,13-138-283-Z05&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16813138283&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=BIOSTAR%20A880G%2b%20AM3%20AMD%20880G%20HDMI%20Micro%20ATX%20AMD%20Motherboard

 

[44surf]

Well I did not do it right anyway...The manual for the new or the old mb?

 

[COLGeek]

BTW, it does sound like you connected the front panel sound (AC '97) connector to the mobo. That does not take the place of the speaker, but will let you plug in mics and headphones to your system via the front of the case when you get your new beast up and running.

 

[COLGeek]

Well I did not do it right anyway...The manual for the new or the old mb?

New mobo. The old one's manual is rather elusive....

 

[44surf]

I went looking too. It seems that HP does not want you to change their MB's.

 

[44surf]

I still see the alien.

 

[44surf]

BTW, it does sound like you connected the front panel sound (AC '97) connector to the mobo. That does not take the place of the speaker, but will let you plug in mics and headphones to your system via the front of the case when you get your new beast up and running.

So I don't seem to have the speaker connected since I don't hear any beeps. Maybe I should play around with the placement of one of the connectors?

 

[44surf]

BTW, it does sound like you connected the front panel sound (AC '97) connector to the mobo. That does not take the place of the speaker, but will let you plug in mics and headphones to your system via the front of the case when you get your new beast up and running.

So I don't seem to have the speaker connected since I don't hear any beeps. Maybe I should play around with the placement of one of the connectors?

I do know when I don't have the one bunch of wires connected to the MB that the fans do not turn on.

 

[COLGeek]

I went looking too. It seems that HP does not want you to change their MB's.

True, but that is part of the challenge. Really looks like like back tracing each pair to its source may be your best bet.

All you do is note the wire colors and which pairs go to which switch or LED. Once you are sure, you pop the wires out of the FP connector and then rearrange them into the order you new mobo requires.

I would start with the power switch and ignore the others once you pop them out. A good way to pop them out is with a paper clip inserted into the opening of the connector and with a little pressure, they will come out.

Is this making sense?

 

[COLGeek]

So I don't seem to have the speaker connected since I don't hear any beeps. Maybe I should play around with the placement of one of the connectors?

Your case may not have had an external speaker (usually a 4 pin black plastic connector with a red and a black wire). Looks like your original mobo had a speaker built into it (little black cylinder located near the end of the white PCI slot).

This is different than having external speakers attached. 2 different things, sorry for the confusion.

 

[44surf]

Kind of...but it seems a little daunting. I took the front panel off...but I don't see anything. How do I tell which wires go with the power switch?

 

[COLGeek]

Kind of...but it seems a little daunting. I took the front panel off...but I don't see anything. How do I tell which wires go with the power switch?

Try to follow where the wires from the front panel go to. You want to look for the physical switch itself. With the front panel removed, the actual switch may look like a small black cube/square with a small square block in the center of it that sticks out a small bit.

Ignore the LEDs and reset switch for now unless they are obvious.

 

[44surf]

Your case may not have had an external speaker (usually a 4 pin black plastic connector with a red and a black wire). Looks like your original mobo had a speaker built into it (little black cylinder located near the end of the white PCI slot).

This is different than having external speakers attached. 2 different things, sorry for the confusion.

I have a 4 pin black connector with red white and green wires. I plugged it in and the computer made some little noises when I plugged it in to the out let.

 

[44surf]

Try to follow where the wires from the front panel go to. You want to look for the physical switch itself. With the front panel removed, the actual switch may look like a small black cube/square with a small square block in the center of it that sticks out a small bit.

Ignore the LEDs and reset switch for now unless they are obvious.

I have found the black cube on/off switch. It seems to have one black wire coming from it.

Next step?

ETA I pulled the CD player out slightly...not all the way because I don't want to disconnect any more wires!

 

[COLGeek]

I have a 4 pin black connector with red white and green wires. I plugged it in and the computer made some little noises when I plugged it in to the out let.

This sounds like the external speaker wires/connector. Good job!

 

[COLGeek]

I have found the black cube on/off switch. It seems to have one black wire coming from it.

Next step?

ETA I pulled the CD player out slightly...not all the way because I don't want to disconnect any more wires!

Are you sure there is only one wire?

Also, look at the FP connector to see what wire is right next to the black wire. It may help you find the second wire.

 

[COLGeek]

she's already a level 2 tech...!

...and will be a computer god(dess) when this adventure is complete. BTW, this is how all of us started, to one degree or another, doing something we had never done before.

 

[44surf]

Ooh...I see the new Avatar now...Yoda! Very cool.

Actually I am not sure...I think that I need to unhook the cd/dvd player and remove it. I think one or two wires are encased in black tubing or tape...sigh. I wish I had paid more attention to where the wires were coming from when I removed the old MB...but I just threw caution to the wind. LOL!