simple ATX power connection

[jan tanjo]

Here's a strange one....

Can you power up an ATX board with just the harddrive power leads???

I realize it will revert back to an AT powered board, but are all those power supply leads really REALLY needed?

How about powering up a hard drive with the ATX connector?

Yes I know that I will lose functionality, but what if I was desporate to get my computer working.

Is there a ATX power supply "cheat sheet" some where

[Beta Geek]

Yes, this is a bit of a strange one......

No you cannot power up an ATX board with just the 4-pin Molex power connectors. Even if you did some serious jury-rigging to attach the connectors the mobo's 20-pin power connector, the mobo still needs the +3.3V, -5V, -12V levels. Also, the Power Supply will not turn on unless the PS-ON wire is grounded.

One question, though. Why do you need to do that????

Here's a simple ATX power connector pin-out:
http://www.pin-outs.com/datasheet_65.htm

[jan tanjo]

Hi Beta Geek

I didn't really think it would work, it was just a wild idea born out of fustrastion stemming from the length of time it took a vender I am dealing with to reply to a request.

I've destroyed enough electronics doing these kind of (stupid) experiments.

[1966]

Experiments could cost a life, be careful!;)