Converting Case AT to ATX

[Bobdog]

I've just been caught out on this one. Upgrading my system I had a Songcheer Midi case which fits AT and ATX motherboards and its a lovely solid roomy case.

However when I installed my new ATX motherboard (ABIT SE6) I find I need the new ATX power connector - so I need a new ATX power supply.

To cut a long story short I ended up buying a new ATX case (for £20 = $30) rather than just an ATX power supply (for £14 = $21).

When I get the case home its really poor quality compared to my original but I was hoping just to salvage the switch. Unfortunately the switch was pretty much an integral part of the casing so I couldnt use it and have had to fit all my components in the crap case.

Question: Is there any way of converting an AT case switch to work as an ATX switch. Can you buy these? All I want is a toggling switch with the cable that goes to the motherboard.

Any advise anyone?

[RJ]

Hello,

no, you can't convert an AT power switch to ATX power switch, because with the AT one you really turn power on or off when pressing it.
The ATX switch is only a pushbutton as the reset switch is, and it just sends a signal to the mainboard.
Well, if you can buy switches ? I don't know. The only thing I think now is that you can try to take the reset switch as the power switch in ATX mainboard. I don't know if that would work, but at least the reset switch has very much in common with ATX power switches.

RJ

[HAL9000]

Using the reset switch would work. If you go to an electronic supply store, they should have something that will fit your case. It just needs to be a momentary switch, push to close the connection, release to open.

[Bobdog]

Thanks guys - I'm sure I'm not the first person to want to keep their case when they upgrade and i guess I won't be the last.

The reset switch - now there's lateral thinking! -Although then I would lose my reset switch :-(

I think they call it a push-to-make-release-to-break (rather than a push-to-make-push-to-break-switch).

I'll try the local component store .

[Jenni]

Cyberguys has an ATX to AT converter kit, but not the other way around. Haha, I wanted to see if Radio Shack had one not that long ago, and the guy in there looked at me like I had 2 heads, until I showed him the picture of it in the Cyberguys catalog. Then he jsut said "No, we don't have anything like that."

[LawyerRon]

Bobdog,
Like Hal said, we call those types of switches on this side of the pond "momentary switches" because they are spring loaded and only close the contacts while you press down. The reset switch is also a momentary type and sounds like a good idea to me.

[Bobdog]

I managed to 'acquire' a switch from an old PC Reset button and after attaching it to the back of the front of my case (if you know what I mean) it all works wonderfully.

Thanks for the help!