VOGONS

Using an old 486 AT case with modern parts

Topic actions

First post, by Netscape

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

Hello,

I have this old 486 case (pictured) which I want to use with modern components. I plan on putting in a mini ITX motherboard and obviously a modern PSU. I wanted to use the original front rocker switch, but I am thinking this is not a possibility, at least I can't think of one. I just wondered if anyone had any ideas about this? Plan b would be to connect the reset switch to the power pins on the motherboard .

Thanks for any help

Reply 1 of 8, by PD2JK

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

You can use that big switch to turn on an ATX system. Just flip it right back after your system starts.

i386 16 ⇒ i486 DX4 100 ⇒ Pentium MMX 200 ⇒ Athlon Pluto 700 ⇒ AthlonXP 1700+ ⇒ Opteron 165 ⇒ Dual Opteron 856

Reply 2 of 8, by Netscape

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

Thanks. The problem is the switch connects directly to the PSU by a 4 core cable. There are 4 pins on the switch. These old machines didnt have power pins on the motherboard, So the switch at the front just turns the PSU on and off. I may not be explaining this very well. I'm still trying to figure it out.

Reply 3 of 8, by PD2JK

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

But you're going to use an ATX power supply right? 😀

Connect two pins from that switch to the power-on header on a modern mainboard. Sometimes there is a schematic of the switch on the PSU. Or trial and error.

i386 16 ⇒ i486 DX4 100 ⇒ Pentium MMX 200 ⇒ Athlon Pluto 700 ⇒ AthlonXP 1700+ ⇒ Opteron 165 ⇒ Dual Opteron 856

Reply 4 of 8, by Netscape

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
PD2JK wrote on 2024-02-17, 16:02:

But you're going to use an ATX power supply right? 😀

Connect two pins from that switch to the power-on header on a modern mainboard.

Okay I see what your saying. I'm not sure how I would connect such big wires to such small pins?

Reply 5 of 8, by PD2JK

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

How are your soldering skills?
Do you have spare parts from old cases you could use? (hint)

i386 16 ⇒ i486 DX4 100 ⇒ Pentium MMX 200 ⇒ Athlon Pluto 700 ⇒ AthlonXP 1700+ ⇒ Opteron 165 ⇒ Dual Opteron 856

Reply 6 of 8, by Netscape

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
PD2JK wrote on 2024-02-17, 16:16:

How are your soldering skills?
Do you have spare parts from old cases you could use? (hint)

Non existent.
And perhaps. I'm just thinking how small those power-on header pins are.
Thanks for your thoughts, at least I can see how its possible now.

Reply 7 of 8, by Repo Man11

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

There are momentary rocker switches - if it is important enough to you, you could probably find one that will fit the physical dimensions of the case. It would be the most elegant solution. I have an AT motherboard with an ATX power supply in an AT case and I took the easy way and used the reset switch.

https://www.google.com/search?q=momentary+roc … nt=gws-wiz-serp

After watching many YouTube videos about older computer hardware, YouTube began recommending videos about trains - are they trying to tell me something?

Reply 8 of 8, by Netscape

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
Repo Man11 wrote on 2024-02-17, 17:14:

There are momentary rocker switches - if it is important enough to you, you could probably find one that will fit the physical dimensions of the case. It would be the most elegant solution. I have an AT motherboard with an ATX power supply in an AT case and I took the easy way and used the reset switch.

https://www.google.com/search?q=momentary+roc … nt=gws-wiz-serp

Thanks for the suggestions. If I can't figure out how to do it, I will use the reset switch option. I did find this which is interesting. Not useful in my case, but maybe for someone who wants to use an ATX PSU with an AT motherboard.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075ZPWJBX

Go to top of page Go to top of page
Back to General Old Hardware
Close window
Close window