Member Avatar for HarryD

Hello! I'm trying to fix my sister-in-laws e-machines T2080. The six wires (green/white twisted combo, red/white, black/white; three connectors) between the front panel and the motherboard are disconnected and not labeled. Can anyone tell me where each of these connectors attach to the motherboard? And what the orientation of same is? Thx for any help you can offer!

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Useful starter tips from and — both point in the right direction. The safest, most reliable approach is to identify each cable by tracing and testing rather than guessing colors. Below is a concise, practical method that works on older eMachines-style systems and modern boards alike.

  1. Safety first: remove AC power and work on a non-conductive surface.
  2. Visual trace: open the front bezel and follow each two‑wire lead to the actual front-panel component (LED or switch). That shows function without touching the motherboard.
  3. Multimeter tests (with power off):
    • Switches: use continuity mode. Press the front-button while probing the pair — a momentary close indicates a switch (power or reset).
    • LEDs: use diode mode (or a small 3V cell with a current‑limiting resistor) to confirm which pair drives an LED and which lead is the anode. This also tells polarity so you can match the motherboard marking.
  4. Motherboard markings: inspect the silk‑screen near the header for labels like PLED, HDD_LED, PWR_SW, RESET, SPEAKER. The PLED/HDD_LED pins often mark a + for the LED anode. If unreadable, check the board manual or a clear photo of the header.
  5. Final notes: switches are non‑polar (orientation does not matter); LEDs are polar — if an LED does not light, flip its two‑pin connector. Label the cables once identified to avoid future guessing.

This workflow avoids damage and gives a repeatable result without relying on color conventions, which are not universal.

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Member Avatar for jo2995

Hmm. This i can help you with, or rather, Larry can help you with.

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Member Avatar for Chaky

If I understood correctly, you have 6 loose wires hanging from a front panel and you have 3 connectors. And ever (colour)/white is one connector.

Green/white is the power LED. If you reverse them, led will almost not work. (no harm done)

Red/white could be reset button. There is no polarity there.


Black/white....hmmm...Power switch maybe? Or speaker?

Why don't you post thing that are on front panel and things that you have connected successfully.

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