Opening the System Case

Introduction

Removing the cover from your system is not difficult, but keep in mind that you need to take precautions against static electricity. The only tool you need is a phillips screwdriver.

Donít damage the new part

Donít remove the new part from its antistatic bag until necessary.

Return the old part

If you are replacing a part under warranty, you must return the old part to Gateway 2000 within 14 days of the new partís delivery to avoid being charged for the new part. Put the old part in the new box and use the shipping label we supplied. If there is no label, write your customer ID number and the RMA number the technician gave you on the outside of the box and send it, insured, to Gateway 2000 at the following address:

Gateway 2000
610 Gateway Drive
North Sioux City, SD 57049

Gateway pays to ship the new part to you, but you are responsible for sending the original part back.

Opening the system unit case

Warning! Always disconnect the computer system from AC power before opening the cover. Use only a three-wire grounded power outlet for your computer.

Caution! Many of the computer systemís internal components are extremely sensitive to static electricity. The following precautions significantly reduce the possibility of damaging components with electrostatic discharge (static):

• Before handling any components or touching anything inside the system unit, discharge your body's static electric charge by touching a grounded surface. If the system unit is connected to a grounded outlet, you can do this by touching any part of the system's metal chassis.

• Do not remove any parts from their antistatic bags until you are ready to install them.

• When handling cards, hold them by their edges and mounting bracket. Avoid touching components on the card and the edge connectors that plug into the expansion slots.

• Never slide cards or chips over any surface.

• Avoid plastic, vinyl, and styrofoam in your work area.

Note: The User's Guide that comes with your system has an illustration showing the back of the system and locations of the screws that hold the cover in place.

The case does more than keep the system unit together. It helps contain the electromagnetic energy that computers generate and protects the computer from electromagnetic interference. It is very important to read the Caution and Warning boxes above before you follow the steps to open your system unit case.

To open a desktop system unit:

1. Note where the cables connect to the back of the system unit so that you can replace them correctly when you are finished. Unplug all the cables.

2. Remove the six hex-head screws from the back of the unit that hold the cover in place. They are the screws that hold the cover flange to the back of the chassis. Do not remove any other screws.

3. After sliding the cover forward as far as it goes, lift it straight up and off the case. If the cover doesn't start moving when you first pull on it, grasp the lower right portion of the case just below the power switch, and pull it away from the chassis as you slowly slide the case forward. If the cover catches about half way off, it may have caught on a cable inside the unit. Tilt the front of the cover down and then continue sliding it. Watch the inside cables as you slide the cover and note where each is attached. Sometimes when floppy drive and hard disk drive cables catch on the cover they are pulled loose. If this happens, reattach them.

To open a tower system unit:

1. Note where the cables connect to the back of the system unit so that you can replace them correctly when you are finished. It is possible to remove the cover without disconnecting the cables, but we recommend that you disconnect them.

2. Grasp the plastic rear cover panel and pull it off the chassis. (You can use a flat-head screwdriver to start it.)

3. Remove the six screws that hold the cover in place. They are the screws that hold the cover flange to the back of the chassis. Keep the screws together (they may be a different size than the other screws in your system). Avoid removing any other screws.

4. Guide the cover off of the system unit. Pull it back far enough to disengage it from the front of the system, then lift up.You may knock off four copper-colored fingerstock pieces as you slide the cover. If your system has these, snap them on the inside bottom rails, two on each side.

To open a mini desktop system unit:

1. Note where the cables connect to the back of the system unit so that you can replace them correctly when you are finished. Unplug all the cables. It is possible to remove the cover without disconnecting the cables, but we recommend that you disconnect them.

2. Remove the five hex-head screws from the back of the unit that hold the cover in place. They are the screws that hold the cover flange to the back of the chassis. Do not remove any other screws.

3. Guide the cover off of the system unit. Lift up the back edge a few inches, pull it back far enough to disengage it from the front of the system, then lift the cover up.

The information in these articles is provided "as-is" without warranty of any kind, and all warranties are hereby disclaimed, whether express or implied, including, without limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. Gateway 2000 will not be liable for any damages whatsoever, whether direct, special, indirect, incidental, or consequential (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or any other pecuniary loss) arising out of, or related to your use of, or inability to use the information in any such article, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. Because some states and jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you. You may not further distribute, reproduce, rent, sell, transfer or license these articles.

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