I'm repurposing a very old PC case that has front-panel sliders for fan speed and LED lighting. One of the cables was damaged years ago, and I can't remember what type it was. I initially thought it might be a Molex-style cable, but there are several similar connectors and I'm not sure which one is correct. The manufacturer no longer supports the case and can't provide a manual. Based on the front-panel board and its connectors, what cable or adapter should I use, and how can I identify where the missing cable belongs?
2 Answers
The safest way to identify it is to trace the board’s wiring rather than match the plug by appearance. The fan-control sliders may use standard three- or four-pin fan leads, while the board’s power input could be a custom adapter. Compare the empty socket with the matching connector on the other side, count the pins, and verify the required voltage and polarity with a multimeter or the fan-controller documentation. A generic adapter could damage the controller if its pins are arranged differently.
If you mean the connector labeled “POWER,” it appears to use a small two-pin JST-style plug on the board. You would need a cable that has that matching plug on one end and either a SATA-power or peripheral/Molex connector on the other. These cables aren’t usually standardized or sold pre-made, so you may need to build one after confirming the pinout and voltage. Don’t connect it based only on the connector shape—check the board markings and wiring first.
I’m not sure that’s the missing cable. I remember it being more like a fan cable, possibly with a peripheral/Molex connector, and I don’t think it was a two-pin lead. I’m honestly not sure which connector on the board is missing.
That makes sense. The damaged cable may have been connected near the other fan leads, but I don’t have enough information to identify it confidently from the photo alone.