3 ms·

> hopefully a chunky rocker switch Because wall-power was routed through that switch, quite dangerously, the cable could get pinched in the case.

userbinator 2y ago
The switch was part of the PSU: https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-a1x7hg2jgk/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/34257/404225/IBM-6181000-Power-Supply-200W-IBM-5170_180622__63334.1708306772.jpg?c=2?imbypass=on https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-a1x7hg2jgk/images/stencil/12...
- anoldperson 2y ago
  Nah, he's talking about these: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.electromyne.com%2Fimages%2Flarge%2F130807a.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=09dce69f91a9f846bcbe201fb908e2828a16765f8a05f30ad666087bc3ea76a1&ipo=images https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2F...
  - SpaghettiCthulu 2y ago
    That url just gives me "Bad request."
    - accrual 2y ago
      It loaded for me, but here's a description for future readers. The first image is the of the original IBM PC's power supply (or a clone) wherein there's a nice, clunky red switch directly on the power supply. The second image is of a later AT style power supply where the switch was moved to the front of the chassis/facade. To facilitate this, it runs a pair of wires carrying mains power to the front of the case, which the switch (usually clunky, due to the current) physically toggles mains power into the motherboard.
      - userbinator 2y ago
        IBM's own AT used the same style with the switch on the PSU itself (that image I posted is for one), and I have an unbranded AT clone (486 era) with the same style. That "AT with separate mains switch" style was probably an interim design that was used for tower cases before ATX showed up.
        dist-epoch 2y ago
        > That "AT with separate mains switch" style was probably an interim design Almost all personal computers around 1996 were like this.
- mystified5016 2y ago
  They weren't always. I had a Pentium 1 machine with a push toggle switch wired to the front. It had big beefy wires in a plastic sheath, it was definitely mains.

userbinator 2y ago

The switch was part of the PSU: https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-a1x7hg2jgk/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/34257/404225/IBM-6181000-Power-Supply-200W-IBM-5170_180622__63334.1708306772.jpg?c=2?imbypass=on https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-a1x7hg2jgk/images/stencil/12...

anoldperson 2y ago
Nah, he's talking about these: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.electromyne.com%2Fimages%2Flarge%2F130807a.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=09dce69f91a9f846bcbe201fb908e2828a16765f8a05f30ad666087bc3ea76a1&ipo=images https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2F...
- SpaghettiCthulu 2y ago
  That url just gives me "Bad request."
  - accrual 2y ago
    It loaded for me, but here's a description for future readers. The first image is the of the original IBM PC's power supply (or a clone) wherein there's a nice, clunky red switch directly on the power supply. The second image is of a later AT style power supply where the switch was moved to the front of the chassis/facade. To facilitate this, it runs a pair of wires carrying mains power to the front of the case, which the switch (usually clunky, due to the current) physically toggles mains power into the motherboard.
    - userbinator 2y ago
      IBM's own AT used the same style with the switch on the PSU itself (that image I posted is for one), and I have an unbranded AT clone (486 era) with the same style. That "AT with separate mains switch" style was probably an interim design that was used for tower cases before ATX showed up.
      - dist-epoch 2y ago
        > That "AT with separate mains switch" style was probably an interim design Almost all personal computers around 1996 were like this.
mystified5016 2y ago
They weren't always. I had a Pentium 1 machine with a push toggle switch wired to the front. It had big beefy wires in a plastic sheath, it was definitely mains.