i've just bought a new case for my PC and the connector attached to the case for the front lights (Power and HDD activity) isn't the two jumpers required to fit in the motherboard. It actually connects into one of the power connectors used for a HDD, which means both lights are permanently lit (they're really bright blue so this is impractical and annoying!). does anyone know if there's a connector or a way to get these to work properly? it's difficult to know whether the computer's working or if it's crashed with a HDD activity light. thanks!

Wow, Ash, the manufacturer really Boo-Boo'd on that one! Do you mind telling us who manufactured the case? I can't quite properly envision how the circuitry you described is set up, but the only thing I can think of is to check-out if you can run a new lead from the case lights to the proper socket on the mobo. You also could snip off the plugs attached to the cables from the front LED lights, and splice in two new plugs that would fit the sockets in the mobo. Check out CompUSA or a good independent computer store in your area for the proper sized plugs. Also try Fry's (if there is one in your area). Another source is an older computer that can be scavaged-all you need to do is clip off a couple of the mobo plugs, leaving yourself 6 or 7 inched of cable to splice your original into. I have done tons of stuff like this for a long time, and if I am picturing this correcly, will work. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime; Then industry pollutes the water and kills all the fish.

thanks! i was gonna use that as my last resort but i guess i'll just go for it, i have a week off next week so i can go for it then! i have about 5 redundant cases now so i should be able to salvage some jumpers from one of em, i'm from the UK though and we don't have any of those stores. i'm sure i'll figure it out. It's a Casecom case by the way, it's a nice case other than that!

Are you sure about that wiring there Ash? Could it be that there are some lights on the front of the case AND the wiring for the power and HD?

there are no more wires. i've wired up a few of my cases now without any problems but this one had me a little...confused! there are definitely no more wires though, it's not really something i could miss anyway

Yeah, sounds like you are on the right track. If you are interested, what I do for a permanent build like this, is strip a 1/2" from each lead end; get a 1/2" piece of heat-shrink tube and slip it over one of the wird leads. Now twist the bare leads together, and then I add a tiny dab of solder just for holding-strength. Slip the heatshrink tube over the splice and apply flame to shrink it, and it holds like a crazy man. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime; Then industry pollutes the water and kills all the fish.