OK, I'm a practical sort of guy but this one has me.

I need to get into the PC and give it a good vaccing out, all sorts of PC probs but I want to try this first.

The problem is, the PC seems to be held together with rivets. I have got the front plastic fascia removed, and at the back the only screws are the four that hold the fan in place, and two external knurled thumb screws that loosen nothing apart from themselves.

A couple of photos here if it helps anyone to advise me.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/draggletail/computer/Front.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/draggletail/computer/back.jpg
thanks as always,
Draggle

OK, I'm a practical sort of guy but this one has me.

I need to get into the PC and give it a good vaccing out, all sorts of PC probs but I want to try this first.

The problem is, the PC seems to be held together with rivets. I have got the front plastic fascia removed, and at the back the only screws are the four that hold the fan in place, and two external knurled thumb screws that loosen nothing apart from themselves.

A couple of photos here if it helps anyone to advise me.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/draggletail/computer/Front.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/draggletail/computer/back.jpg
thanks as always,
Draggle


Have you tried the two big silver things on the right hand side of the back (as in the pic)?

It looks as if the side furthest away from the connections (keyb/mouse etc) is what you need to remove:thumbsup:

Have you tried the two big silver things on the right hand side of the back (as in the pic)?

It looks as if the side furthest away from the connections (keyb/mouse etc) is what you need to remove:thumbsup:
I tried those first sccsux but nothing moved.
Having read your post I've just been back for another shuftie and you're right, it's the two big screws - I didn't notice that I also had to force the casing ovet a 1cm lug as well after loosening the screws :blush: *feels a bit foolish*

Better vac it tommorow, babies asleep.

Thanks sccsux :thumbsup:

I don't need to offer you the loan of a drill and a pop riveter then DT? ;)

Take those big screws out the back, get a big flat head screwdriver behind the metal and twist. It's got to go either backwards or upwards. Probably backwards, just really stiff.

Looks like a HP machine, or similar case style. They genrally are a little tight. Follow neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeks and it should just pop off. You should be trying to slide the panel backwards.

Joel

Looks like a HP machine, or similar case style. They genrally are a little tight. Follow neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeks and it should just pop off. You should be trying to slide the panel backwards.

Joel
Thanks Joel. It was easy once in the end. Spent too much time looking at the immovable rivets. Feel a bit silly now:rolleyes:

It's not always as simple. Some PC's have "case lock" enabled in the BIOS, which means without taking a crowbar to the PC, you won't be able to get into it without going into the BIOS and unlocking it. I know are common on early Compaq's.

It's not always as simple. Some PC's have "case lock" enabled in the BIOS, which means without taking a crowbar to the PC, you won't be able to get into it without going into the BIOS and unlocking it. I know are common on early Compaq's.

I've never seen that. I've seen the case check options, which alert the user to the case being opened when the computer starts. I've never in all my years of buggering about with PC's seen a physical BIOS lock.

Joel

I've never seen that. I've seen the case check options, which alert the user to the case being opened when the computer starts. I've never in all my years of buggering about with PC's seen a physical BIOS lock.

Joel

Definitely exists.

Do a google search for "Smart Cover Lock" and you'll get a few articles etc.

Some of the SFF compaq desktops have them, they can easily be bypassed though with the use of a screwdriver. It's a bit tricky repairing a machine that's dead if you can't get the lid off without entering the Bios.