well...
i did it, i took the plunge... with terrible results.

well, maybe not that bad, seeing that my card still works, but it simply would NOT work with all the connections made...
i would power on the computer, and my monitors wouldnt turn on.
also, with the voltage testing spot, i got no reading whatsoever. (see attached pics)

ive since unsoldered them, and am using the card right now...(seems to work just fine still)
i have no clue what went wrong, can someone help me?

i took some pictures of it before i unsoldered the connections...

(yes; i know my soldering, wire organization, and pictures blow )

images:

variable resistor used:


voltage test point:


bad angle:


resistor w/connections:


connections to the on/off switch:


another on/off switch pic: