4400 power switch problem

I am trying to refit a Dimension 4400 for my youngest daughter, but ran into a glitch. Half the time pushing the power button get's no response without opening the case and messing with the small ribbon wire connecting that front panel. She does not need to even use the front panel as I have added a USB 2.0 card to the MOB, which gives her plenty usb in the back. Since there are no independent power pins on the MOB, the whole thing (front panel and power button) all run through that stupid PROPRIETARY connector, is there a way to replace the bad power switch without replacing the whole front panel? I have also tryed going into bios and setting it to turn on by a touch of the keyboard keys, but that does not work either!