Power button replacement?

[BigCaah]

Hello, I'm looking to connect an external power button/momentary switch to my Pavilion TG01-1022. I'm not seeing headers on the motherboard; instead, there is a metal post with another button attached to it. Seems that the button on the case hits this button.. suggestions would be appreciated, thank you!

[BeemerBiker]

A detailed picture of your motherboard is here

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c06985094.pdf

Is the switch broken?  I was unable to find the switch in the parts locater 

If so any competent technician could solder a cable and inexpensive switch and let it hang out the back

Alternately if the switch has a part number it can be obtained from the manufacturer.  A  defective motherboard might have a good switch but you never know. If it was me I would just "hot wire" it with a cable hanging out the back.

[BigCaah]

Thank you for the reply. Button works fine, but I’m dropping the pc into an arcade cabinet, and would like to run a button to the outside of the cabinet to power on.

Figured that soldering the wires should work, but I’m not sure if I should leave that metal post (#15)  in place, or try to remove it.

[BeemerBiker]

It is possible the two small solder holes to the right of the switch can be used to connect your external switch.

An alternative to soldering is to use silver or nickel "ink" the kind used to repair damaged auto windshield defrosters

I would run some thin insulated wire down those two holes (or do whatever it takes to get under the motherboard) and use a drop or two of silver ink to attach the wires to the soldered contacts then add a dab from a hot  glue gun to keep the wires from moving.

If those solder pads connect to the switch then use them. I cannot tell from the photo if they are holes or pads or where they run

Taking off components involves risk of damage due to heat and/or board flexing.

[BigCaah]

I took a picture of the inside of the machine from a couple of different angles..

I think they are two little 'dots', if that's what you are referring to as solder pads? They have PB-EPWR printed along the edge. I hit a dead end when trying to find out what that referred to. I do have a multimeter at my disposal, could I theoretically test continuity by pressing that small button while holding the leads against those pads?

[BeemerBiker · Accepted solution]

It would be safer to measure DC voltage across the pad rather than continuity.

Closing the switch would cause the voltage difference to drop to 0 when holding the switch down and when releasing the voltage would rise back up. 

You should first hold the board up to a light and look for copper traces from the pad going under the switch.  If they obviously go somewhere else then they probably cant be used.

Power it up (plug in wall) like you are going to start it then put the voltmeter leads on the two pads and watch the voltage before, during, and after you press the button.

I would expect somewhere between 3-5 volts then 0.0 then back to the 3-5

The voltage might be different but the 0.0 is  a must when the switch is closed or the pads do not connect to the switch.

If you see something like that then you can shut it down and briefly short the two pads with a screwdriver tip and it should start..  This is called the smoke test.  You can avoid the  smoke test by connecting the external switch to the pins under the switch.  A part number on the switch can be looked up and the pinout of the switch found using google.  My guess is there will be at least 2 pins but not more than 6 under the printed circuit board.

[BigCaah]

Awesome, thank you for all of the help!