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Dell Dimension 4550

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by im1992, Dec 22, 2007.

  1. im1992

    im1992 Regular member

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    huge problem here.
    The cable that connects the motherboard with the case broke.
    I was trying to pull it off the mobo (its a connector) but the cable came out of the IDE type connector and the connector was still on the motherboard.
    How can I "jump start" the computer since I don't have a functional power switch anymore?
    thanks
     
  2. Waymon3X6

    Waymon3X6 Regular member

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    short out the PSU with the paper clip technique.
     
  3. im1992

    im1992 Regular member

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    already tried that
    green with black
    did not start up
     
  4. im1992

    im1992 Regular member

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    nice overclock btw
    what stepping cpu is that?
    a northwood?
     
  5. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    use a slot screwdriver on each 2 pins till it powers up. fix the cable & connector
     
  6. im1992

    im1992 Regular member

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    thanks
    it works
    do you know the pin outs on the dimension 4550 motherboard?
    i cant fix the connector, i snapped it in half(the soldering iron had made it soft)
    But if you find me the pin outs at least i can make a power switch functional...
    thanks again and happy holidays
     
  7. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    any printing on the circuit board around that connector that says reset, power switch, hd led or something like that? how did you break at least 6 wires to that connector?
     
  8. im1992

    im1992 Regular member

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    nope, no printing around the connector
    i didnt break the wire, it tore off the connector itself.
    You know how ide cables are made right?
    just like a smaller version of an ide cable was used for the front panel leds/ switches
     
  9. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    what is the total number of pins on the connector?
     
  10. im1992

    im1992 Regular member

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    34 pns
     
  11. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    if cable is a flat cable & not individual wires then is somewhat easy to fix as that connector is the same type used on floppy drives. is it flat cable like your rom drive cable? do you have an electronic store nearby & do you have or can use a bench vice?
     
  12. im1992

    im1992 Regular member

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    yes
    electronic store is nearby
    no, i dont even know what a bench vice is... hehe
    its flat like a ribbon cable but is smaller (the width) and of course the lenght
    but the main problem is the width...
    .05 cm x 3.5 cm
     
  13. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    if have a floppy drive in the computer the try the floppy cable in that connector to see if fit as it should. a bench vice is a clamp attached to a work bench clamping a piece of metal to be worked on.
     
  14. im1992

    im1992 Regular member

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    nope
    the connector on the mobo is definitely smaller
     
  15. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    then it is not a 34 pin which a floppy connector is.
     
  16. im1992

    im1992 Regular member

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    it is 34 pins, but smaller form factor
     
  17. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    another reason why i dislike name brand computers. do you have any spare jumpers/shunts that are used to determine on ide drives what is master, slave or cable select? the reason is to see if the spacing is standard or not because if standard then might still be able to fix problem.
     
  18. im1992

    im1992 Regular member

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    a normal jumper does not fit
    thanks
     
  19. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    darn. see if you can find an old clone computer case that still has the wires attached to the front. can be an old AT or ATX case as we need just the wires.
     
  20. im1992

    im1992 Regular member

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    yes i found wires, but they are "normal" ide pin sized wires
    these are mini pins, not standard size...
     

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