Unusual question - expert needed - S/B SW - what does it mean?

[Componentgirl90]

1) The i/o wires coming out of my PC front panel (20 years old):

Power LED
HDD LED
Speaker
Reset SW
S/B SW

I am assuming by guessing and process of elimination from what is usually there that S/B SW means "System Board Switch"?

2) Additionally, are these old wires safe to use with a brand spanking new mobo with pretty expensive everything else?

TY!

 

[USAFRet]

1) The i/o wires coming out of my PC front panel (20 years old):

Power LED
HDD LED
Speaker
Reset SW
S/B SW

I am assuming by guessing and process of elimination from what is usually there that S/B SW means "System Board Switch"?

2) Additionally, are these old wires safe to use with a brand spanking new mobo with pretty expensive everything else?

TY!

Probably.
But I would follow that wire to where it actually goes, and test it with a multimeter, before trying it.

Safe to use?
A 20 year old case has other issues. Airflow concepts have changed a lot. $40 in a new case will alleviate all your pain.

 

[Componentgirl90]

Thanks. I have a multimeter, I can do that.

I will be running the computer with the case open. I assume it will still need a system fan to flow over the components?

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks. I have a multimeter, I can do that.

I will be running the computer with the case open. I assume it will still need a system fan to flow over the components?

Yes, you probably need fans.

But having dealt with many, many cases over the years...I would not even begin to worry about using a 20 year old case, vs any number of cheap new ones.

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks. I have a multimeter, I can do that.

I will be running the computer with the case open. I assume it will still need a system fan to flow over the components?

Yes, you probably need fans.

But having dealt with many, many cases over the years...I would not even begin to worry about using a 20 year old case, vs any number of cheap new ones.

For instance...USB ports. Where will you plug that motherboard cable in? That case does not have the Right Stuff.

 

[Componentgirl90]

I don't understand what you mean. That's only for front USB ports. The IO panel at the back has all the USB ports I need.

 

[USAFRet]

I don't understand what you mean. That's only for front USB ports. The IO panel at the back has all the USB ports I need.

Well...if you don't need them, fine.
But a new case has the relevant ports to talk to a current motherboard.

Basically, all I'm saying is that reuse of an old case is often more brain ache than the $30 a new case would cost.
Airflow, connections, ATX mount points...

If you're going for the retro look, thats one thing.
But if you're just trying to not spend on a 'new' case...that is a whole other thing.

What case is this, specifically?

 

[Componentgirl90]

Its true that I am just trying to save a bit of money. Because basically all these little savings add up.

Airflow is somewhat of a headache tbh. I have a 120mm fan or two knocking around but the case doesn't have any sockets for that so I would have to use some sort of adhesive. If I wasn't planning on leaving it open I would certainly not use the case.

I'm actually happy with the mount points on this case. I will be happy with the connections so long as the wires to the front panel work and don't damage the motherboard. That is somewhat of a headache.

I would have no idea what model the case was. It came from a company called Time Computers. The case has colussus written on it. When I opened it up I found a 233Mhz Pentium MMX, 96mb of ram, 8Mb ATI Radeon graphics card and some dust.

 

[USAFRet]

That case originally holding a Pentium 233 MMX, it may well not be ATX spec.

In that...your current motherboard, PSU, fan mounts may not fit. At all.
Do the motherboard screw holes line up? The I/O panel on the back of the proper size?

I'm just saying...$25 in a new case saves a lot of brain ache trying to make that old thing work
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811353055

 

[Componentgirl90]

Yeah I think you may be right overall. I'll just get it working at the moment and then change the case possibly.

I am able to secure the motherboard to the case. Some of the holes lined up. Everything is installed except the processor. The PSU is installed, all 4 holes basically line up except I was only able to get 3 screws inside their respective holes. The 4th one did not quite get in. The I/O panel at the back is the correct size.

 

[KirbysHammer]

I don't understand what you mean. That's only for front USB ports. The IO panel at the back has all the USB ports I need.

Nonono.

Spend 40 bucks and save yourself a headache. That case will be a nightmare for you. I understand cheaping out, but a case is the wrong thing to do in on in your case (excuse the pun). You're probably going to get to it and find out that the board doesn't even fit and then you have to delay your build while you order a case.

 

[Componentgirl90]

Thansk for the reply.

I have already installed the board in the case. I am now more concerned with airflow and not damaging the card with the front IO panels and if those front IO panels will last.

 

[meztek]

You may or may not have problems with airflow - is there a vent on the back of the case next to the IO panel? There may also be a vent in the front of the case visible from the inside but cleverly hidden to pull air from the bottom of the case so there are no obvious signs of ventilation on the front panel. These are places where you could (relatively) easily attach a PC fan.

 

[Componentgirl90]

Nope no vent. I am probably going to skip this case. I can see one of the wires is frayed so I will probably just get a new case. I need to get a cheapo one.

 

[KirbysHammer]

Nope no vent. I am probably going to skip this case. I can see one of the wires is frayed so I will probably just get a new case. I need to get a cheapo one.

Good idea. You can get a cheap case for like 40 bucks.