Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
A motherboard may provide either or both types of power LED connec-
tor, and a case may provide either or both types of power LED cable. The
ASRock K10N78M-PRO motherboard provides only a two-pin power LED
connector. The Antec NSK-4482 case provides only a three-pin power LED
cable. That leaves us with two options. We took the easy way out by sim-
ply leaving the power LED disconnected. If you want your power LED to
function, use a sharp knife or diagonal cutters to carefully cut the power
LED cable connector lengthwise, dividing it into two single-wire connec-
tors. Connect each of those separately to the two power LED pins on the
motherboard.
Advice from Brian Bilbrey
I prefer to use a knife tip to gently
release (not break off ) the plastic tab
holding one of the end pins in the
cable connector body in place, then
slide that pin out and move it to the
center location. Then I can install the
connector onto the header with the
empty location hanging out in space.
• The power LED connectors on some motherboards are dual-polarized
and can support a single-color (usually green) power LED or a dual-color
(usually green/yellow) LED. The Antec NSK-4482 case and the ASRock
K10N78M-PRO motherboard both support only a single-color power LED.
If you are using a different case and motherboard that support a dual-
color power LED, check the case and motherboard documentation to de-
termine where and how to connect the power LED cable.
When you're connecting front-panel cables, try to get it right the first time, but
don't worry too much about getting it wrong. Other than the power switch
cable, which must be connected properly for the system to start, none of the
other front-panel switch and indicator cables is essential, and connecting
them wrong won't damage the system.
Which Is Which?
On systems with several hard drives,
we use a felt-tip pen to label both
ends of each SATA data cable to
make it easier to determine which
cable connects to which drive. For
this system, with only one hard
drive, that's not necessary. We also
used cables with different connector
shells, making it immediately obvi-
ous which cable connects to which
drive.
Connectingdrivepoweranddatacables
We're in the final stretch now. All that remains is to connect a few cables. To be-
gin, connect two SATA data cables to SATA ports 0 and 1 on the motherboard,
as shown in Figure 3-36. We'll use one of these cables for the optical drive and
the other for the hard drive.
Locate an available SATA power cable in the cable bundle coming from the
power supply and connect it to the power connector on the optical drive.
SATA power (and data) cables use an L-shaped key on the connector body to
prevent installing the cables backward. Make sure the L is oriented properly
on the cable and drive, and then press the connector into place, as shown in
Figure 3-37. Press the connector firmly straight in until you're sure the con-
nector is fully seated. Do not apply any sideways pressure or torque to the
connector.
Locate the free end of SATA data cable 1 and press the connector onto the op-
tical drive data connector, as shown in Figure 3-38. Once again, make sure the
L key is oriented properly on the cable and drive, and then press the connector
firmly straight in until the connector is fully seated.
Locate a SATA power cable in the cable bundle coming from the power supply.
You can use a second SATA power connector on the same cable you connected
to the optical drive or one of the separate cables with a SATA power connector.
Make sure the L key is oriented properly on the cable and hard drive, and then
press the SATA power connector into place, as shown in Figure 3-39. Press the
connector straight in without applying any sideways pressure, and make sure
the cable connector mates firmly with the drive connector.
