My first build

  I just finished installing a new motherboard: Gigabyte M61P-S3.
Everything is brand new, including the Sata-II hard drive. So there is
no operating system or anything. I plugged it in for the first time
tonight, hoping to start programming everything and I'm already
running into problems. Firstoff, the new 12-volt main cooling fan is
not working (I plugged it into the "cooler fan power connector" on the
motherboard). Secondly, my monitor won't kick out of sleep mode when I
turn the computer on. Any ideas why this could be happening?
Bryan

 Totalrod2@aol.com wrote:

Are both power plugs connected ? There would be a larger main
power connector, plus the 2x2 ATX12V connector that feeds
the processor.

    Paul

  I was afraid of this. My processor fan is working. So I figured it
might be the main power connector. I'm using an old workstation mini-
tower. Which is making access mighty difficult to connect that plug
(but not impossible). The real problem is the lack of support behind
the main power connector. I'm scared that if I force the plug too
hard, I'll crack the motherboard. I tried to get my other hand in
there to hold the outer edge of the board (the plug is located on the
edge of the motherboard) but there isn't enough room for both hands!
Are there any tricks (or tools) of the trade? Has anyone else run into
this problem? I wish the darn plug would just snap in place, but that
would be too easy. What can I do? There must be a better way of doing
this without the risk of breaking the board. :(
Bryan

 Totalrod2@aol.com wrote:

Hold on there, sparky.

What are you forcing ?

The insertion force shouldn't be that high. Make sure you are using
the correct connector. I just checked the 2x2 ATX12V connector on
my spare computer, and the 2x2 inserts with fingertip force. I
can seat the connector and have the little latch snap, by using
only one fingertip.

The Mini-Fit Jr connector family are keyed. The plastic on the male
and female connector parts, have shapes. The shapes prevent the
thing from being plugged in the wrong way. In theory, the connector
should only fit one way. You can use the latch on the connector,
and the mating gadget on the other one, to figure out the correct
orientation.

Before you do anything else, could you tell me:

1) Make and model of motherboard.
2) Make and model of power supply (check the label on the PSU)

I want to make sure I give you good advice. For example, there
are motherboards with 20 and 24 pin connectors. There are
power supplies with 20 or 20+4 main connectors, as well as
the completely separate ATX12V 2x2 connector.

It is a bad thing, if you remove the "+4" part of a 20+4
hinged connector, and insert that "+4" part into the
ATX12V 2x2 connector. So if you tell me more about the
equipment, I can review what you should be doing.

    Paul

 The Motherboard is a Gigabyte M61P-S3 which has been installed into an
old Dell Precision 420 workstation "mini-tower".
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i98/totalrod2/DSC_0120.jpg?t=1203489114
I haven't tampered with 20+4 plug in question:
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i98/totalrod2/DSC_0124.jpg?t=1203489157
I know, it's not a great photo. The label on the power supply says
"Lead Power" model: LEAD-600 (600w max). I think I probably should've
got some of those rubber feet to put behind the motherboard for
support. I'm not really forcing anything ("force" was probably the
wrong word). It's just that there's really no support in that
particular area behind the plug....I'm afraid to push too hard.
Hopefully you'll have a better idea than the one I'm thinking of
(disconnect everything and remove the board to install those rubber
supports behind it).
Bryan