Dell Dimension C521 Front-Panel

[drennantrip]

Does any one have a diagram or a link to for a Dell C521 front panel pin out?
All I can find are ones for 34 pinout and I need the 40.

Thanks In Advance

 

[pebbly]

here is the link to the manuals choose the service manual, it may contain what you require

http://support.dell.com/support/top...info/manuals?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=anavml

 

[pebbly]

i will try the link again Dell Manuals

 

[BDRichardson]

Solution

Do you still want the PIN out for a Dell C521 40-pin Front Panel?

I have just completed the transplant operation of a standard ATX motherboard into my Dell C521 case, and worked out the pin-out for the front panel. All now working, with exception for one USB port, which was faulty before the transplant operation.

 

[Caoz]

Hey BDRichardson do you still have the pinout for the C521 frontpanel? I traced the on-button, hdd-led, power-led and the diagnostic-led's, the rest is missing. I've got a E521 but I think it's based on the same frontpanel system. Thanks Caoz

 

[BDRichardson]

I believe the pin-out is as per the attached image. However, I suggest you proceed with great care. Personally, I spliced the original ribbon, and carefully soldered standard motherboard connectors to the appropriate leads. I then started the computer, and one by one, tested each item, ensuring that every LED, switch, socket, etc did not cause a hardware fault.

I found that one of the USB ports had blown on my control board. I suspect this was the original cause of my failed Dell motherboard. I still wonder to this day, whether in fact the Dell motherboard was actually fine, but the blown USB port was faulting out the Dell motherboard.

If you need any further clarification, or photos of the control board for your comparison's, then don't hesitate to ask.

Good luck

 

[Caoz]

Wow, thanks for the diagram. I appreciate this very much.

 

[Caoz]

It helped a lot!

 

[BDRichardson]

Glad to be of assistance

 

[fireberd]

You are lucky. Dell does not publish the front panel connector on the older models that used this type of connector. It has always been a "Proprietary undocumented" item. One other gotcha, it can vary from model to model thus if someone figures out the pinouts for one model, it may not apply to a different model.

Newer Dell's are using standard ATX connections.

 

[Caoz]

I failed with the Headphone and Mic thing. I used this Desktop Boards — Front panel audio header pinouts and my Frontpanel Audio/Mic (your diagram), but i can't get it.

I think this is not the same pinout, how do I trace them?

Greetings

Sven

 

[Caoz]

Ok guys, my bad. I thought my old E521 had HD Audio xD
But in fact it's AC'97...Front audio problem solved...USB is still missing, waiting for the right USB cable. Giving feedback soon...

 

[Caoz]

BDRichardson, i'm sorry, but i don't understand the USB issue on your diagram. I've got the usb mainboard connector, the usb extension cable and my frontpanel...Don't know where to put the cable on certain frontpanel pins. Maybe you can help me...

Greetings

 

[BDRichardson]

USB Connections

The mainboard connector has pins for two USB ports. I have labelled them USB1 (pins 1 to 4) and USB (pins 1 to 4). I drew a simple diagram of a USB plug/socket so that you can trace the correct pin from a socket or plug, to the correct pins on the mainboard connector. There may be some standard colours for the wires, but I do not know them.

The only problem I experienced was that one of my USB ports was faulty, and seemed OK until I attempted to connect a device, and Windows would then misbehave! So I just have a dead USB port on the front of my case.

If the point which you are trying make, is that you are unsure of how wire up the front USB ports, then you need to take the correct wires for each USB from the mainboard connector, and connect them correctly to a standard USB header. From my experience, standard ATX motherboards all have the same standard connectors for connecting each of the your additional ports, i.e. front ones from case. The following link might help clarify this point for you: Installing Frontal USB Ports | Hardware Secrets.

By all means, ask me some more questions if we still aren't understanding each other.

 

[Caoz]

I would like to know what's VCC, D+, D- , GND for USB1 and USB2. In your diagram, it's describedhttp://dict.tu-chemnitz.de/english-german/described.html as USB, USB1 and USB2 and pin 1 to 4. I don't understand your diagram in this way (without descriptions).

Greetings Sven

 

[BDRichardson]

They are the standard wiring identifiers (pinout) for each of the four wires , i.e. 5V, Data Negative, Data Positive and Ground. This is explained better here: USB - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. It is a straightforward task of wiring each terminal of the USB socket to the each corresponding wire of the mainboard connector.

 

[Caoz]

Hey guys, i was busy with my front panel and i traced all important wires. BTW BDRichardson it was no surprise that i didn't understand your diagram, cause it's not the same!
Here is my one.
Thanks for your help anyway!

Greetings Sven

 

[BDRichardson]

Oh well, there you go. Dell threw some more complexity into the equation. At least you got there in the end. For those few mad enough ones (like us) it was a little challenge, despite the slightly scrappy solution, but at least it works if you put some effort to it.

 

[slade]

Appearntly, enough that I dont understand that diagram posted . Im tring to test wether the board works or not but, I cant seem to get the power button connected right . I dont see how you can have the positive at one pin an the ground at another. Unless your not useing two pin connectors. Not sure if the heatsink matters or not. I want to do something with this unit. E521 Also, I found it helpful spite not getting it working yet.

 

[slade]

I see what I was doing wrong know. Do I still need a heatsink in order to start the thing or not. I really want to make this into my next desktop pc or somethin.