I got a case for a new pc, its got usb ports on the front but the connectors arent normal ones, theres one with grnd on and one with vcc+ on. How do they plug into the normal usb things?

Also, the power and hdd lights - which way up do the plugs go - I always seem to fry them

Bonus points for ms paint efforts.

Cant fry them, theyll work... or they wont.

LEDs just dont work... only way to fry is to shove more current or voltage through them than they are rated for. At least thats my understanding. If you are really in doubt the manual should have the diagram required.

VCC+ and GND should be either labelled in a manual for your motherboard, or on the motherboard itself next to the pins in normally white text.

vcc+ red
data- white
data+ green
gnd ground

Thats the order they usually go on the mobo, but you should check the manual.

same for the leds just stick em on, if they dont work change them round.

VCC+ is a 5 volt line. There should be set in a pair of blocks, one is the other reversed. Quite often there are five posts one side and four on the other one of the 5 pins is unconnected or they just fasten it to ground.

TBH I have never had a drive led fail, even when plugged in the wrong way around I have just reversed the connections and everything worked fine. They should be protected against reverse voltage.

Hell, the first computer I ever set up had a problem inside, somehow there was a line issue, the thing overheated and huge clouds of smoke came pouring out the thing. It went back of course but I must admit it was impressive at the time. That was when XTs cost between two and four grand with a tiny 40MB HD in.

Quote from: sdpAlso, the power and hdd lights - which way up do the plugs go - I always seem to fry them

usually theres a coloured wire and a black wire. The coloured wire is +ve, and the board is usually marked in some way to tell you which pin is +ve, or its in the manual.

Thanks, I got it.

Blew the bloody psu in the process tho