USB front panel cabling color code - Gigabyte GA-945GCMX-S2 Motherboard

For this you need the motherboard manual.
If you do nor have it, download it.
The setup procedure will be at the beginning, after the specifications. The two cables from the front panel that are important are the (power on , LED reset) cable, and the USB cable.
Both these cables are built to the Intel developed, case standard, on most PCs.
The problems start when you are building a PC with an old case. The wires from the front panel will be all separate.
The motherboard manual will have the location of the pins, and the "pin out" for the motherboard.
The color lead is positive, and the white is negative.
The speaker wires are red and black, and the polarity does not matter.
Do them one at a time. Start with power on, when you have found the proper pins and hooked up the leads, then reset, then power LED, then HDD LED, and last the speaker.
Then find the USB pins and connect the USB cable to the motherboard.
The PC should boot, assuming the other components are installed.

Are you following Anti-Static Procedures?

If you, or the person who took it apart has not, you can use the motherboard for a Frisbee.
(Processor for a neck trinket, and Ram Memory for Christmas decorations)


Moving on.........

HP Support > Pavilion p6610f Desktop PC > Main Support page,

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&product=4299342

Product information > Product specifications > Motherboard Specifications, N-Alvorix-RS880-uATX (Alvorix),

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02560084&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=4299342

A) Let's start with the two power cables coming from the Power Supply, that go to the motherboard;

1) 24-pin ATX main power cable

Looking at the motherboard photo, the 24-pin ATX main power cable's connector; is at the bottom.
Two rows of 12 socket holes, in a yellowish/whitish connector.

Motherboard installed in computer case, you will find it to the Right.

(The motherboard view shown, is clocked 90 degrees to the Right; in comparison to how it actually sits in the computer case)

GENERAL example,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#atxmain24

[NOTE* Color of connector does NOT matter ]

Note the hinged Lock Clip on the power cable's connector.
Also the TAB on the motherboard connector.
When power cable is deemed to be plugged in tightly, and properly; the Lock Clip will be over the Tab.

{Lock Clip operates on the same principle, as a see-saw on a playground. Top is squeezed in to release Lock Clip}

2) 4-pin ATX +12 Volt power cable

Looking at the motherboard photo, the motherboard connector for this power cable is;
Straight up from the white Processor socket,
To the right of the square finned Aluminum Heatsink.

General example of said power cable, and it's respective connector on the motherboard,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#atx12v4

Has a Lock Clip too.
Remember about the color of connector, thing.
Can be pink with neon polka dots. Doesn't matter.
WHAT the power cable IS, does matter.

This power cable is power for the Processor.
It ain't plugged in, you have no computer.

(Scroll down to Motherboard Layout. It is PU521 )

That's it for power cables that plug into the motherboard.
Moving on..........

The Harddrive is a SATA unit. The optical drive is a SATA unit.
(CD/DVD drive)
Means you need a SATA power cable for each one of them.
General example,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#sata

Note the L-shaped opening in the connector. Hard to see in this photo, but I will show a better view in a minute.

Also; between a SATA data cable's connector, and a SATA power cable's connector; the SATA power cable connector is the larger of the two.
Has 15 contact pins.
SATA data cable connector has 7-pins.

Often there is a lock on this power cable's connector.
A tab that sticks up, or a 'bulb' type affair.
Depress with thumb, when plugging in, or unplugging.

Harddrive needs a power cable, and data cable.
So does optical drive/s.

B) General example of a SATA data cable, and it's respective connector,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SATA_ports.jpg

Just referring to the cable shown at the top, for now.
Now you can see the L-shaped opening a little better.
See how the 'foot' of the L goes down? That is the direction you want it, when plugging in.

The motherboard connector shown below the SATA data cable, is a SATA connector.
This particular style is OPEN.
Your motherboard uses the type that is CLOSED.
Note also the L shape on the motherboard connector.

The connector shown for that SATA data cable, is a 90 degree bent elbow.
If your SATA data cables have this style of connector, they plug into the Harddrive, and optical drive/s.

The straight type of connector, plugs into the motherboard.
It can also plug into the Harddrive, and optical drive; if your SATA data cable has two straight connectors.

The SATA data cable connectors on your motherboard, are all the way to the Left. (In the motherboard photo)

Orange, Light Blue, Dark Blue, and White.
Note that they have a L shape in the middle.

Now scroll down the HP Support page, to Motherboard Layout.

Orange = SATA4
Dark Blue = SATA1
Light Blue = SATA3
White = SATA2

SATA1 is for the Harddrive
SATA2 is for an optical drive.
If you have more than 1 optical drive, it plugs into SATA3.

(Make sure SATA3 is ENABLED in BIOS Setup)

C) The front of your computer is the Front Panel.

The area of contact pins on the motherboard, that the Main wires from the Front Panel go to; is the Front Panel header.

Looking at the motherboard photo, look again at the Orange SATA4 connector. To the Immediate RIGHT is the Front Panel header,

http://www.findlaptopdriver.com/n-alvorix-rs880-uatx-front-panel-motherboard/

I believe though, that the cable coming from the Front Panel; has one solid plug-on connector. Not individual wires.

Note how the Front Panel header on the motherboard, is missing one pin. This is the Key.
The cable connector going to it, should have one socket hole blocked off.

Should only be one cable coming from the Front Panel, that has the correct plug-on connector.
The other cables coming from the Front Panel, will have different size plug-on connectors.

Going further.........
Look at what is installed in the Front Panel;

USB ports, audio ports, (Headphone and Microphone), Card Reader, etc.
You can follow the cables, and get a pretty good idea of where they go, in the Front Panel.

For example you can follow the cables that go to the USB ports.
Follow the two cables that go to the Card Reader.
Follow the cables that go to Microphone, and Headphone jacks.

Then by process of elimination, you know which cable goes to the Front Panel header.

D) Front Audio
Looking at the motherboard photo, look towards the Top/Left corner.
The Yellow header is for the Front Panel audio ports.
Headphone, and Microphone.

E) Coming down the Left side, in the motherboard photo; look at the two White rectangular headers.
Match up in the Motherboard Layout, and bottom of HP Support page.

USB1 2, and USB1 2.

EACH USB header, is for TWO USB ports.

That is why they both have USB1 2 marked near them, in Motherboard Layout.

A Card Reader SHOULD use two cables, and One USB header.
It may be though, that the Card Reader will use both of those White USB headers.

Either the Card Reader plugs into them, or the USB ports in the Front Panel.
If the cable connector fits, plug that cable in. (On)

USB is USB.
Card Reader uses USB too.

Point?
If the cable's connector fits, plug it in. (On)

In the motherboard photo, there are two White connectors;
Above the Orange SATA4 connector, and Below the Light Blue, and White SATA connectors.
(Light Blue = SATA3, White = SATA2)

The USB ports up front probably connect to them. (Front Panel)
Follow the cables to Front Panel USB ports.
What type of connector do the cables use?

All FOUR of those USB connectors on the motherboard, may NOT be used.
Perhaps just two of them.

That doesn't 'sound' very concise, huh?
However it is my contention, that each cable coming from the Front Panel; should have a different connector.

Going further;
The Card Reader, and the USB ports in the Front Panel; may have the SAME type of connector, on the end of their cables.

Again, the Card Reader uses a USB header, (Or headers), on the motherboard.
So do the two USB ports in the Front Panel.

Therefore it does not matter which USB header on the motherboard, that either one of them are connected to.

F) Looking at the motherboard photo, look above the Ram Memory slots, to the far Right.

Right above ram memory Slot 1, that is White in color. (DIMM 1)
There is a small Electrolytic Capacitor, with a Black plastic sleeve.
Right above it is a small White 3-pin connector.

This is where the Processor fan plugs in.
(CPU_FAN)

G) Right above the square Aluminum finned Heatsink, is the 3-pin connector for the computer case fan.
SYS_FAN
(System Fan)

(The square Aluminum finned Heatsink, sits on the Northbridge chip.
Which is part of the motherboard chipset)

That about does it for me.
Please post additional questions in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

[Seems like I gave a solution for this before.
I can't pull it up in Solutions I have given, so do not know for sure.

Want to see someones user account?
If you are a member of FixYa, all you have to do is click on their user name (Example; joecoolvette), or user icon ]

Helps if you post the motherboard manufacturer name, and model number.

OR;

Post the computer manufacturer name, and model number.

This is found on the back of a Desktop PC, next to the Windows product key; or up on the side of the computer tower.

Color of the cables ('ribbons') doesn't matter.

WHAT they are does.

NOW.........I can guide you with plugging in power cables FROM the Power Supply, TO motherboard. Also the different peripherals the power cables plug into. (Harddrive, optical drive, fans, etc)

The front of your computer is the Front Panel.
The area of contact pins on the motherboard, that the Main wires from the Front panel go to; is the Front Panel header.
(Power On switch, Power On LED light, Harddrive LED light, Reset switch, etc)

I MAY be able to give you a Front panel header pinout.

We will see about Front USB ports, Front Audio ports, Card Reader, etc.

I CANNOT give you the color code of the wires, coming FROM the Front Panel, TO the Front Panel header.
I CAN give you info on how to find out what each one is, though.


Post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

Rob, Rob, Rob.............if I told you a thousand times, I............

Oh.......... where was I?

1) Power cables from Power Supply to motherboard:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01237538&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=3878557

A) 24-pin ATX main power cable;

Looking at the motherboard view the Right side. To the right of the Blue 39-pin IDE connector, is the 24-pin ATX main power cable connector, on the motherboard.

This is a general example of a 24-pin ATX main power cable, and it's respective connector on the motherboard,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#atxmain24

The power cable connector has a Lock on one side, and the motherboard connector has a matching Lock Tab.
When the power cable is deemed to be installed Correctly, and Properly; the Lock's hooked end is over the Lock Tab.

[Note* Color of connectors does NOT matter ]

B) 4-pin ATX +12 Volt power cable;

The processor socket is white in color. Around it is the black mounting ring.
The 4-pin ATX +12 Volt power cable connector on the motherboard, is to the Left/Bottom corner, of that black mounting ring.

Square, whitish (Opaque), and 4 socket holes.
This is a general example of a 4-pin ATX +12 Volt power cable; and it's respective connector on the motherboard,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#atx12v4

2) Peripheral power cables from Power Supply;

A) The Harddrive is a SATA unit. Uses a SATA power cable,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#sata

B) The optical drive/s (CD/DVD drive) are also SATA units. They use a SATA power cable.

A SATA power cable's connector has 15 contact pins. Between it, and the SATA data cable, it has the longer connector.

Peripheral Data Cables;

This is a general example of a SATA data cable, it's connector, and a SATA connector on the motherboard,
(Note* Color does NOT matter),

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SATA_ports.jpg

Here you can see the L-shaped opening of the connector, and matching L-shaped tab on the motherboard connector.

Most SATA power cable connectors, and SATA data cable connectors, have a lock. All you see is a 'bulb' type affair on top of the connector, that you squeeze down with a thumb tip.
Depress to remove, depress to install.

A 90 degree elbow connector for the SATA data cable, is used on the Harddrive, and optical drive. The straight connector end of the cable, plugs into the motherboard.

There are two SATA connectors on the motherboard. One White, one Black. One of them should have a SATA1 next to it.
(Or one will at least have SATA2 next to it)

SATA 1 connector is for the Harddrive. SATA 2 connector is for the optical drive.
The beauty of SATA is though, you can connect any SATA device, to any SATA connector on the motherboard; and BIOS will find it.

So it really doesn't matter what you plugged in where, as far as those two SATA headers are concerned.

3) Processor Fan cable, System Fan cable (Computer case fan);

Going back to the HP Support page above, and Motherboard Specifications; scroll down the list.
Click on the + sign to the left of the blue - Motherboard layout

Below the ATX12V1 connector is the System Fan connector.
(SYS_FAN)
This is where the computer case fan connects.
(ATX12V1 connector, is the 4-pin ATX +12 Volt power cable, connector)

Above the Ram Memory slots, and a little to the right; is the Processor Fan connector. Power to the fan. (CPU_FAN)

4) Front Panel audio connector, optical drive audio connector, Front Panel USB connectors;

Bottom edge of motherboard, from Left to Right;

Yellow connector is AUDIO1. Front Panel audio.
White connector is ATX_IN
For the audio cable from the optical drive.

Black connector (HD_AUDIO) is also for the Front Panel audio.

Don't know how they have the Front Panel audio, hooked up.
YOU will. The cable connectors to them are different from each other.

Front Panel USB connectors;
Further to the right are two white connectors. EACH one can support TWO USB ports.
One should be for the two USB ports in the Front Panel.
The other will go to a Card Reader in the Front Panel.

All the way to the right corner is the Front Panel header.
This is where the main wires from the Front Panel go.

Power On switch, Power On LED (light), and Harddrive activity LED (light)
The cable, and connector should match that 9-pin header.
If not here is an HP 9-pin Front Panel header - pinout,

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware/Getting-a-new-case-i-need-Front-Panel-pinout/td-p/842897

Scroll down to the photo, and pinout. (Dave G)

Believe that is it.

For additional questions, or to have me clarify anything I have stated above, please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

(Ya know I was jus kiddin' above, right?..............

Rob?...................................................................Rob?)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FOXCONN-RS780M03G1-8EKRS2HM0D-DDR2-HDMI-PCI-MOTHERBOARD-/250896178535

1) http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/Shared/4006272R/4006272Rnv.shtml

2) Product Views;

http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/Shared/4006272R/4006272Rtc.shtml


B - Processor Core Power Connector;
is the connector on the motherboard for the 4-pin ATX +12 Volt power cable.
Located close the motherboard top edge, left side. Yellowish 4-socket hole square connector.
General example of connector, and power cable,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#atx12v4

2) D - CPU Fan Connector,
The Processor fan connector is white in color, 3-pin, and above the processor socket.

3) F - Main Power Connector,
The 24-pin ATX main power cable connector on the motherboard, is to the Right of the Ram Memory slots

4) N - Front Audio Connector, (Front Panel audio ports)
Red in color, 9-pin header, and is located below the white No.2 PCI slot, at the bottom of the motherboard.

5) P - System Fan Connector, (System Fan = Computer case fan)
White in color, 3-pin header, located below the No.2 PCI slot, at the bottom of the motherboard.

6) Q - IEEE 1394 Connector,
For the front panel Firewire (1394) ports.
Black in color, 9-pin header, located at the bottom right corner, of the white No.2 PCI slot

7) R - USB Connectors, ( Front Panel USB ports )
F_USB 1 through F_USB4.
Located at the bottom of the motherboard, and these four separate headers support TWO USB ports each. Yellow in color.

8) S - Front Panel Connector,
located at Bottom/Right corner of motherboard.

Pin 9 is N/C also.
Not Connected. Used for +5 Volt power for the factory.

For additional questions please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

http://www.msi.com/product/mb/PM8M-V.html

(MSI PM8M-V H, is version 2.0 )

Hover your mouse cursor on the Download tab.
(Overview / Specification / Download / Support / etc.)

In the drop down list, click on - Manual
Under the subheading - Download, click on the blue -
M7104v1.0.zip

[ This is a Zip file. A Zip file is a file that is compressed, to send easier. The above manual is for the M7104v1.0
It will work for the version 2.0 also.

You need a program to 'Unzip' it. (Decompress)
If WinZip is not working on your computer, go to 7-Zip, and download for free.
If you need guidance in downloading, and unzipping, post back in a Comment ]

There are two USB headers on the motherboard for the Front Panel,
JUSB1 and JUSB2. (Junction USB 1 and Junction USB 2)

Looking along the bottom of the motherboard, FROM the Right going towards the Left;

JFP1 header; (Front Panel main wires)
Header with 4 pins on the Top row, and 5 pins on the Bottom row.

JFP2 header; (Dual color Power On LED, and Speaker)
Header with 4 pins on the Top row, {Speaker}, and 3 pins on the Bottom row.

JUSB2 header.

JUSB1 header.

EACH USB header will support TWO USB ports in the Front Panel.
JUSB1 supports two,
JUSB2 supports two.

For each USB header there are 5 pins across the Top, 4 pins across the Bottom.
The pins are numbered EVEN across the Top, and ODD across the Bottom.

Starting from the LEFT side going across to the RIGHT side;
on the TOP row for JUSB2 and JUSB1;
Pins 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10.

Starting from the LEFT side going across to the RIGHT side;
on the BOTTOM row for JUSB1 and JUSB2;
Pins 1, 3, 5, and 7. There is NO pin 9.

A) Pin 2 is VCC
B) Pin 4 is USB1-
C) Pin 6 is USB1+
D) Pin 8 is Ground

E) Pin 10 is USBOC

Pin 10 is N/C -> Not Connected.
It is there, and Pin 9 is not there, to key which way a connector can go on. Only ONE way.

F) Pin 1 is VCC
G) Pin 3 is USB0-
H) Pin 5 is USB0+
I) Pin 7 is Ground

There is NO pin 9.

(The USB technology used is USB 2.0)

http://pinouts.ru/Slots/USB_pinout.shtml

Let's read together,
Under - USB pinout signals;

"USB is a serial bus. It uses 4 shielded wires: two for power (+5v & GND) and two for differential data signals (labeled as D+ and D- in pinout). NRZI (Non Return to Zero Invert) encoding scheme used to send data with a sync field to synchronise the host, and receiver clocks. In USB data cable Data+ and Data- signals are transmitted on a twisted pair. No termination needed. Half-duplex differential signaling helps to combat the effects of electromagnetic noise on longer lines. Contrary to popular belief, D+ and D- operate together; they are not separate simplex connections."

See the USB examples in the link above, where it labels the contact pins?
The MALE connectors are shown on the Left side.
The FEMALE connectors are shown on the Right side.

Your USB ports will be FEMALE, on the Front Panel.
They are also the A style. USB A style. The Top example to the Right.

Just noting the following in case for some reason, the wires coming from those contact pins in the female USB connector, are not color coded correctly;

Even after you have the wires sorted out, as to which contact pins they go to, DOUBLE-check again. Do NOT just go by the color code of the wires.
Why?

You do NOT want to accidentally connect the +5 Volts (VCC), to the Ground!

Explaining further;
You connect the VCC wire, (Red), of the USB port in the Front Panel, to the Ground pin on the USB header on the motherboard.

(Which means the Ground wire of the USB port, (Black), will probably also be connected to the VCC pin, on the USB header of the motherboard)

Zzzzzzap! There goes your front USB ports. Both USB front panel headers on the motherboard, will be DONE!

Make sure!

Going on;
1) VCC or Vcc, goes back relating to Transistor technology.
Just think of it as the Positive, or power wire.
It is.
It is 5 Volts DC.

2) GND is Ground. It's a DC circuit, and you have a Positive, and a Negative, or Ground.

3) USB1-
That is -> Data-

USB0 is for one USB port in the Front Panel.
USB1 is for another USB port in the Front Panel.

[ Each USB header on the motherboard can be connected, to TWO USB ports on the Front Panel.
Therefore for the two JUSB1 and JUSB2, you can connect Four USB ports in the Front Panel ]

Data- on one USB port in the Front Panel, goes to USB0-

Data- on the other USB port in the Front Panel, goes to USB1-

4) Data+
Same thing.
Data+ on one of the USB ports in the Front Panel, goes to USB0+
Data+ on the other USB port in the Front Panel, goes to USB1+

EACH side of JUSB1 and JUSB2, will support one USB port on the Front Panel.
Two sides per JUSB1 and JUSB2 = 4 USB ports on the Front Panel.

For additional questions, or clarification to anything I have stated above, please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

motherboard usually red-white-green-black

Standard USB Cable Wiring Color Code

5V / Red

D+ / Green

D - / White

Ground / Black

hope this helps

Those are separate connectors for the earphone (green) and microphone (pink). Plug them in to the appropriate connectors on your computer. On desktops you will find them on the rear panel (maybe also on the front on some systems), and they will probably be color coded the same way. On a laptop, the connectors are usually on the front edge or on one of the sides.

Probably the cables your are referring to are the front bezel USB and Audio Panel connector .If you do not use front USB port on your cab leave it NC .