Front panel USB + audio +??? wires problem

[Conchobbar]

Am putting together a new computer and have a problem with some of the front panel wires. There are two USB connections with a 4-pin connection + a 1-pin ground attached, each. I have no corresponding sockets on my mobo (AsusP4P800-E Deluxe). The 4-pins are labelled VCC, USB1+, USB2-, GND, and the single pin GND. There are two USB HEADERS (10-1 PIN) on the mobo. Whilst the cables would fit on these headers i'd still have 4 pins on the headers left over. Am i right in assuming this is the only place they should go or is there another answer?

The others wires I have no clue what they could be for, possibly the front panel LED, but they're not labelled in any way i can make short sense of. They are all single pins and are labelled TPA+/-, TPB+/-. VP, VG, and GND. There doesn't seem to be any corresponding place on the mobo for these, but knowing what the abbreviations stand for may help.

There is one more set of single pin connectors for the front panel audio but I shouldn't have too much trouble finding the corresponding headers on the mobo.

I'd really love to tie up all these loose ends (pun irresistably intended :p ) so anyone who knows what these cables are for, or who is familiar with this type of mobo PLEASE help me out cause i can't wait to get this thing up and running!

Cheers,
Conchobbar.

[pop pop]

I can't help but I'll be interested to see what the answer is because I was planning on buying that MOBO.

Let's hope we hear good info from someone.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Those wires have to do with Firewire. A little Googling led to a blurb here (http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t276823.html). Sorry, I'm not of much more help on this one but hopefully this leans you in the right direction... ;)

[Paul Komski]

How to Install Front USB by Connecting Front USB Ports to a Motherboard?
http://www.directron.com/installusb.html

The Intel arrangement is the most common though there are other arrangements. Check your manual for the assignments on the mobo - otherwise (at your own risk) - just take your pick based on where the blank key is situated.

It's horrible that this area was never standardised - so the most important thing is to check the settings in your specific manual. The ports should work OK if they are not shielded (just using 8 wires per port) but you will not be able to use them as enhanced or USB 2 ports unless you attach a shielding wire.

[rosered]

I was having a similar problem-pasting part of an article from pc mechanic (hope this is allowed, I am a total newbie!)

Article of the Week: Installing Front-Mounted Ports (USB)
Port to Header Connection

This is the best type of connection to use as it takes advantage of the header pins for connecting these ports which reside on the motherboard itself. Most motherboards in use today have extra sets of pins onboard which are designed for additional USB ports or other types of ports. Most boards support 2 USB ports in the rear (and the ports themselves are attached to the board on ATX boards) but there is usually a USB header for connecting two more USB ports. Some boards have more, and some have different headers for USB and USB2. The header looks like a small row of pins, either one or two rows. Each pin on the header corresponds to an individual wire inside of the USB cable. Here is an image of the pin layout for a typical USB connection header. There is also a separate layout used for Gigabyte boards, but the layout here is much more common.

If you look at the wire for your USB port, you will see 4 or 5 wires. The typical wiring assignment is the red wire goes to the power pin (sometimes labeled as VCC), the white (sometimes orange) wire is the D-, the green (sometimes yellow) wire is the D+, the the black wire is the ground (GND). Sometimes these four wires hang loose and you must connect them one at a time. Sometimes, they are connected into a unified plug where all four wires are already arranged into a single plug, and all you need to do is plug it in with the proper alignment. You may have an extra ground wire hanging loose as well.

Some USB wires used for front-mounted USB ports have enough wires for all possible header types, so there may be some wires you won't even use. All you have to do is read the writing on each connector wire and connect it to the appropriate pin on the header. Your motherboard's manual will be the ultimate reference on the pin layout of your USB header.

Making the Connection

You will quickly notice that the names of the wires you have might not match up to the names on the pins on your motherboard. Don't let this confuse you. As I mentioned, the power lead is sometimes labeled VCC, but it can also be labeled Power, USB Power, PUSB, or even just P. The wire is always red for power. The Ground will be labeled with something indicating ground, usually G, GND, Ground, or GUSB. The "-" is the best indicator for the D- lead. Vice versa for the "+" for D+. You will also notice that the names may have a "1" or "2" next to them. This is simply to indicate which set of 4 wires go to a single set, or to one connector. This is simple to ensure you don't try to connect a port using wires from two different ones. Lastly, if you have a connector called Shield, then this is just the extra ground wire.

When connecting a front-mounted USB cable, you simple connect the 4 wires (and ground) to the correct pins on the header. You may see two sets of pins right next to each other. One connector per side.

Lastly, be careful not to confuse your USB connector with your Firewire connector. The layout are pretty similar for hookup.

Port Panels

I have focused on connecting USB ports on this article, but you can pick up front mounted panels which have a wide variety of connectors. You'll connect your USB and Firewire connectors using this article. Sound connectors will plug into the ports on your sound card or on your motherboard (if you are using mainboard sound). Some front-mounted panel plates even have digital displays for temperature, fan speed, even the time. The fan speed indicator will plug into a motherboard somehow, and temperature will be retrieved through a sensor which you will place somewhere inside the case.

But, for people with PCs without this type of front-mounted convenience, you may want to look into doing this for yourself.