I need to know how to wire a power switch to an ep-8hka motherboard

Boy, ya got me.

If it was a small square opaque white socket on the motherboard, that a power cable from the Power Supply; had two YELLOW wires, and two Black wires, and plugged into it, I would know what it is,

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

As technology for personal computers advanced, hardware components needed more power.
The motherboard wasn't able to deliver the power needed, so the 4-pin ATX +12 Volt power cable, was brought out.

More power was needed later.
Hardware components demanded more power, than a 4-pin ATX +12 Volt power cable could deliver.

So the 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable was brought out,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#eps8

It CONNECTS to the motherboard. (For motherboards that use one)
NOT to be confused with the 8-pin PCI Express power cable,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#pciexpress8

This power cable plugs into a GRAPHICS CARD, not the motherboard. Note the color code of the wires.

For a PCI Express expansion slot on the motherboard, for a graphics card; the best the PCI Express slot can deliver is 75 Watts.

The 6-pin PCI Express power cable was brought out next,

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

It is plugged into the graphics card too, and can deliver up to an additional 75 Watts.
Now there is 150 Watts available for the graphics card.

Computer technology advanced, and the 6-pin PCI Express power cable, couldn't deliver the power needed.

Now comes the 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable.

The 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable by itself, can deliver up to an additional 150 Watts.

Now there is 225 Watts available for a graphics card.
75 Watts from the motherboard, 150 Watts from the 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable.

Color code of wires;
1) Orange = 3.3 Volts
2) Red = 5 Volts
3) Yellow = 12 Volts
ALL are DC Voltage

(Two flashlight batteries produce 3 Volts DC)

4) Black wires are Ground wires. Also are known as Negative wires.


This motherboard happen to have a manufacturer name, and Model Number?

Can't find it?
How about the computer manufacturer name, and model number, it came out of?

The model number for a desktop computer, is on the back of the computer, next to the Windows product key; or up on the side of the computer tower.

(The plastic front of a desktop computer is the Front Panel.
Some older computers had a Door in the Front Panel.
The door is opened, and you look inside -> Down, for the model number)

Post back in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

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

What a minute hold the phone here!

Those are Ferrite Iron Choke Coils.

The 'little round cans' with the Red(?) edge on top, are Solid Polymer Capacitors, going around the processor socket.

Those are Ferrite Choke Coils going around the top side of the processor socket, immediately near the copper heat pipe fins. (Black/Square shaped top, rectangular shaped body)

The choke coils, and solid capacitors are part of the Motherboard Voltage Regulator Circuit. These particular ones are for the processor.

The ones down by the Ram Memory slots are also in the Motherboard Voltage Regulator Circuit.

May be for the Ram Memory slots, but easily could also be for the expansion slots, too. (PCI-E x16, PCI-E x1, PCI, etc)

Here is more info on the Motherboard Voltage Regulator Circuit,

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/616

So; Are you using the correct voltage ram memory, or have you installed 'performance stuff', and had to change voltage in BIOS Setup?

More importantly,
1) Are you running a graphics card?
2) More than one?
3) Have the proper amount of power, (Wattage and 12 Volt power rail/s)
4) Proper power cables from Power Supply?

4) Same thing for the motherboard;
IF, you are using a Processor that requires a LOT of Wattage, and you are using a graphics card; are you plugging in an 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable into the motherboard?

The 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable connector, is called an EATX12V power cable connector by Asus. It's up at the top edge of the motherboard, above the top left corner of the processor socket.

Called EATX12V to keep people from confusing it with this power cable,

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/616

They are NOT the same;
EATX12V, or EPS +12 Volt power cable; has FOUR Yellow wires.
A Yellow insulated wire is a 12 Volt wire. Black wires are Ground wires.

An 8-pin PCI Express power cable has THREE Yellow wires, and FIVE Black wires.

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

BOTH, a 4-pin ATX +12 Volt power cable, and an 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable; are power for the PROCESSOR.

Quad-Core, or a processor that uses this much power? 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable.

The MAXIMUM amount of Wattage a PCI-Express x16 slot can deliver is 75 Watts.
EACH 6-pin PCI Express power cable is capable of delivering 75 Watts.
Total of 150 Watts available for a graphics card.

An 8-pin PCI Express power cable is capable of delivering 150 Watts by itself.

Point?
Use the correct power cable IF needed for the graphics card, and the correct number of them if two are required.

Also; IF you did not have the correct power cables; AND used a power adapter cable, USE all of the required 4-pin Peripheral power cables needed, for that power adapter cable.

For example;
I have noted those who did not have TWO 4-pin Peripheral power cables, required for a 6-pin PCI Express adapter power cable.
Just one was available, and just one was used.........

!O_O!
Nope!
This will result in;
1) PCI Express x16 slot contact pins - Burn
2) Gold plated contact pins on bottom of PCI-Express graphics card -Burn
3) 6-pin PCI Express power cable connection on graphics card - Burns
4) Contact pins in connector for 6-pin PCI Express power cable - Burns

That to me could also result in damage to electronic components, in the Motherboard Voltage Regulator Circuit;

Hence -> Ferrite Iron Choke Coils

Awaiting your response,

Regards,
joecoolvette

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

You really should take that Power Supply, and use it on grandma's computer.

The 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable was brought out, to provide more power To the motherboard AND processor.

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#eps8

The 4-pin ATX +12 Volt power cable has TWO yellow wires.
Yellow wires are 12 Volt wires. (And two Black ground wires)

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

The 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable has FOUR 12 Volt wires.

In the motherboard manual, does it say, "Yes Tom. Go ahead and use a 4-pin ATX +12 Volt power cable. We don't care. We just use an 8-pin EPS for fun."

[ This is an 8-pin PCI Express power cable. Completely different,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#pciexpress8 ]

The motherboard probably uses 150 Watts by itself.
No Ram Memory, no CPU, no fans, etc.

The CPU could use up to 125 Watts of power. Just depends on what AMD, socket AM3, processor you are using.

Now to graphics card's power;
The most Wattage a PCI-Express x16 slot can deliver is 75 Watts.

The most power a 6-pin PCI Express power cable can deliver is 75 Watts.
8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable? 150 Watts.

When buying a Power Supply you should calculate all components needing power,

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

,then buy a Power Supply that has AT LEAST 10 percent more power than needed. Easier on the Power Supply.
Also a computer will NOT use more power than it needs.

10,000 Watt power supply, (Exaggeration ), and the computer only needs about 100 Watts for surfing the internet?

Computer ONLY uses 100 Watts.

Due to the price, the above, and the availability, you should use a 500 Watt power supply at least.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=899123&CatId=1079

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-6in-Pin-Power-Adapter/dp/B002O21XHQ

Or use it on yours if it has enough Wattage.

Back in the day, the motherboard didn't need to supply that much power to components on it.
More powerful Processors, Ram Memory, and graphics cards, brought the power needed, up.

A 4-pin ATX +12 Volt power cable was added for the motherboard. Then 6-pin PCI Express power cable for graphics cards. Then the 8-pin PCI Express power cable for graphics cards. Lastly the 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable.

(Better make sure the Power Supply you have is good, if you wish to use the above power adapter cable. Nothing like having a Power Supply with a weak voltage power rail, and a new build, to pull your hair out on )

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3894#ov

Out of the motherboard manual Page 23,

"With the use of the power connector, the power supply can supply enough stable power to all the components on the motherboard. Before connecting the power connector, first make sure the power supply is turned off and all devices are properly installed. The power connector possesses a foolproof design.

Connect the power supply cable to the power connector in the correct orientation. The 12V power connector mainly supplies power to the CPU. If the 12V power connector is not connected, the computer will not start.

To meet expansion requirements, it is recommended that a power supply that can withstand high power consumption be used (500W or greater). If a power supply is used that does not provide the required power, the result can lead to an unstable or unbootable system."

For additional questions please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

"I sent it for repair but it came back in the same condition!"

That means to me, spiritual_sky, that there is operator headspace.

Motherboard was fine when they tested it, and problem is on your end; Or they didn't test it, and shipped it back.

Going to go through the basics, so be patient. Mistakes are often made by those of us who are technically qualified, due to simple errors.

http://www.biostar-usa.com/app/en-us/mb/introduction.php?S_ID=390

A) The Support Plate the motherboard is mounted to, can be a separate plate, or is an integral part of the metal frame, of the computer case.

1) It looks as though there are 10 mounting 'holes'. (Manual gives no details. Looking at it right now. Going by Biostar Support page, and main view)

Is there a metal Standoff on the Support Plate, that does Not line up with the mounting holes? If so it is touching an exposed solder joint.
This = No

B) Have all the power cables needed connected to the motherboard?

1) 24-pin ATX main power cable. (Hooked end of Lock on power cable hooked over Tab on motherboard connector)

2) 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable.
Has 4 Yellow 12 Volt wires, and 4 Black ground wires,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#eps8

Has a Lock on the power cable connector also, and Tab on the motherboard connector. When plugged in properly, and tightly, the hooked end is over the Tab.

Connects to Left Upper corner.

Not to be confused with an 8-pin PCI Express power cable,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#pciexpress8

[NOT an inference towards you, but I have seen people who could destroy a steel ball bearing in a sandbox, with a rubber mallet. They would try to cram an 8-pin PCI Express power cable, into a connector on the motherboard for an 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable ]

Three Yellow 12 Volt wires, FIVE Black ground wires.

A 6-pin PCI Express power cable will fit, and work, in a connector for an 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable.
Problem is it does -> Not, deliver the power that an 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable will deliver.

A graphics card senses whether a 6-pin, or an 8-pin power cable is being used.
SOME graphics cards will not work unless it is an 8-pin.

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

[See the power adapter cable on the right? Notice it uses TWO 4-pin standard Peripheral power cables. Some people make the mistake of only using one. This = NO ]

3) 4-pin standard Peripheral power cable. (Misnomered as a 'Molex' power cable)
Provides auxiliary power for the graphics card.
Manual states,
"This connector is an auxiliary power connection for graphics cards.
EXCLUSIVE power for the graphics card provides better graphics performance."

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

May be reaching here, but if the graphics card you are using does ->Not require an additional power cable connected directly to it, but does ->max out what the motherboard can provide, not connecting that additional 4-pin power cable may be the problem.

May need it even if the graphics card does have it's own power cable/s.

Graphics card requires a power cable? Better have it plugged in.
Requires TWO power cables? Better have two power cables plugged in, and Not just one.

Graphics has a problem? The motherboard will not start, or P.O.S.T.

Using a single Graphics card.
HAS to go in the PCI Express x16 slot next to the Northbridge chip, under the processor socket. (PEX16_1)

The PCI Express slot that is the same length at the bottom, is a
PCI Express x4 slot. This = No.

[Top slot next to Northbridge, {Copper finned Heatsink is on top of Northbridge chip},

PCI-Express x16 slot. Slot 1.
Next slot down is a PCI-Express x1 slot.
Next slot down is a PCI-Express x16 slot. It is Slot 2.
Next slot down is a PCI-Express x4 slot ]


C) Simple error; Front Panel header pinout.

Front Panel header (JPANEL1) is at the bottom right corner.
Pins 1 through 8 are on the Bottom row;
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

Pins 9 through 16 are on the Top row;
9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.

A) Pins 1, 2, 3, and 4 are for an Internal speaker. For BIOS Beep Codes. Pin 1 is for the Positive (+) wire. Pin 4 is for the Negative (-) wire.

B) Pins 5 and 6 are for the HarDDrive activity LED.
Pin 5 is for the Positive (+) wire.

C) Pins 7 and 8 are for a Reset switch, IF a Reset switch is used.

D) Pins 9 and 10 are N/C. Not connected. There is No Pin 11.

E) Pins 12, 13, and 14 are for a dual color Power On LED.
Pins 12 and 13 are for the Positive (+) wires, Pin 14 for the Negative.
If just using a single color Power ON LED, use Pins 12 and 14.

F) Pins 15 and 16 are for the Power On switch.

Make sure the Power On switch is good. Remove the wires, touch a Jewelers flat tipped screwdriver to the two pins - Briefly.

Comes on you have a bad Power On switch.

Do you KNOW that the Power Supply is good? Tested the three main voltages?
(3.3 Volt power rail
5 Volt power rail
12 Volt power rail )

Need to know how post in a Comment.

Just to ask; What is the maximum rated Wattage of the Power Supply, what is the Amperage of the 12 Volt power rail/s, and what is the manufacturer, and model number of the graphics card?

Regards,
joecoolvette

Let's take a look at the MSI 990FXA-GD65 motherboard, and I will tell you, AND show you;

http://www.msi.com/product/mb/990FXA-GD65.html

To the right under the bold heading - AMD 990FX chipset based,
there are views of the motherboard.
I would like you to click on the second from the Left view.
(Shows a Top view of the motherboard) It is turned to the Right.

Turn the view 90 degrees to the Left, and this is how it will be sitting in your computer case.
If you move your mouse cursor around on the view, you will see a magnified view of what the mouse cursor is on.

I will do better than this in a moment, and you will download the Motherboard Manual.

A) Requires a 24-pin ATX main power cable. The connector on the motherboard has a Locking Tab.
The power cable's connector has a Lock with a hooked end.

To ENSURE the power cable is plugged in tightly to the motherboard, the hooked end of the Lock, MUST be over the tab on the motherboard connector,

Basic example of a 24-pin ATX power cable, and it's respective connector on the motherboard,

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

In the photo on MSI Support, the 24-pin ATX main power cable connector on the motherboard, is on the bottom of the motherboard under the Blue, and Black ram memory slots. It is Black in color.

B) Requires an 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable. This power cable provides the 12 Volt power needed for the motherboard.
(DO NOT confuse it with an 8-pin PCI-Express power cable. More on this later)

On the motherboard JPWR2 should be printed next to it.
In the MSI Support view, it is at the top RIGHT corner of Military Class.
Black in color, 8 socket holes.

Basic example of an 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable, and it's respective connector,

http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html#eps8

The 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable was brought out, to replace the 4-pin ATX power cable.
The Yellow wires you see are 12 Volt wires.

The 4-pin ATX power cable has TWO Yellow 12 Volt wires. (And two Black ground wires)
The 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable has FOUR Yellow 12 Volt wires.
(And four Black ground wires)

As more power was required from the motherboard, the 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable was brought out, to replace the 4-pin ATX power cable.

C) IF, you are using a graphics card, the motherboard requires a 6-pin PCI-Express power cable ALSO.

This power cable provides more power, to the motherboard's PCI-Express x16 graphics expansion slots, (2)

[ To regress for a moment, you have TWO PCI-Express x16 graphics expansion slots, and TWO PCI-Express x1 expansion slots.

The PCI-Express x16 expansion slots are used for a graphics card.
The PCI-Express x1 expansion slots are NOT. They do not require additional power, either ]

NOTE*
1) IF, your graphics card requires an additional power cable plugged into it, USE IT.
Even with a 6-pin PCI-Express power cable plugged into the motherboard.

2) IF, you do not have the additional power cable, from your Power Supply for your graphics card, AND are using a power adapter cable TO the graphics card, make SURE you use the required amount of 4-pin Peripheral power cables, to that power adapter cable.

Look at a 4-pin Peripheral power cable,

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

You will see it has ONE Yellow 12 Volt power wire. (Red is 5 Volts, Black wires are Ground wires)

Using a 4-pin Peripheral power cable TO 6-pin PCI Express power adapter cable, the 6-pin PCI Express power cable requires TWO Yellow 12 Volt wires,

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


Short solution?

A) You have to have an 8-pin EPS +12 Volt power cable.
B) Use a 6-pin PCI Express power cable also, if you are using a graphics card.
C) Use the power cable/s needed for the graphics card, IF it requires one.

On the first link above to the MSI Support website, hover your mouse cursor on the Downloads tab.
In the drop down list that appears, left-click on - Manual.

Drop down to the bottom file, and left-click on the blue - E7640v3.2.zip
This is a Zip file. After you click on the file name (E7640v3.2.zip), a small window will come up on the right.

Click on Save File. In the small window to the left that comes up, write down the wording at the top. This is where the zip file will download to.
Desktop, or My Documents, or Downloads.

[ If you are using a computer with Windows 7 on it, it is
Desktop, or Documents, or Downloads ]

Go to where the file is, DOUBLE-click on it. On the far left side click on
Extract all files. Then click on Next, Next, and Finish.
In the last window DOUBLE-click on the file name. (Next to the Adobe PDF icon)

For additional questions please post in a Comment.
Regards,
joecoolvette

Question 2: No, this is a 462 motherboard and will only take Socket A (462) processors
Question 1: Download this and look at the schematic

http://www.epox.com/article.asp?ID=1202

http://www.epox.com/article.asp?ID=1731 Above please find your user manual, this has all the details you need in pictorial for,

You can download the manual from Epox. Left click the link provided;
http://www.epox.com/product.asp?id=EP-4VKMI

Cheers!
Mike

You just need to make sure the power supply matches your motherboard is by Wattage, so that is all you have to be concerned about when buying a power supply..400Watts, 500Watts...The +12V, +5V, +3.3V is the power that your motherboard needs for itself and the hardware hooked up to it. Like the CD ROM has a plug to the power supply and it may use 12V. The motherboard also has a power connector and it may use +5V, etc. All you need to do is get the right wattage match for the motherboard, then use the correct wires to plug in the motherboard, CD-ROM, HardDrive, etc. The adapters are keyed so you should not have any problem figuring out which goes where, however, I would recommend writing it down if you can.
If you have any questions let me know.

Don't forget to rate this with 4 stars before you log out.

Here is the link to the manual:

http://www.epox.com/USA/article.asp?ID=1731