Enermax Case CS-003 Whats the deal?

[babylon5guy]

Hi,
I thought I'd try this Enermax case. How the heck do you get the front panel off?!? It shows on the box it comes off but it sure doesn't look like it does. It's this one: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=7&manufactory=1400&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1 And whats up with the two floppy drive slots? And what's with those little individual USB wires for the extra USB ports up front, they look like they are going to be a pain! I should of stuck with Enlight.
TIA

[LawyerRon]

I built two systems with that type of Enermax case; they're "ok" but I like Enlight and Antec better.

To get the front panel off, you have to remove the sides. Then you will see about 3 or 4 little screws that hold the front panel in from the side. Look inside the case and you'll see 'em.

Regarding the two floppy plates; you take one out and they give you a matching block off plate to fill the hole; works fine.

The case I used had the usb ports on the side of the front panel near the bottom; you pull out a little cover to access 'em.

[i3OSS]

you think thats hard to get off? try taking off panels of a no name brand computer case.

[LawyerRon]

Enermax cases are very different than Enlight and Antec; I posted the same question babylon5guy did as I couldn't figure out how to get the front of an Enermax either. Enlights and Antecs are still more convenient IMO with the slide in drive rails, etc.

[babylon5guy]

LOL i3OSS I know what you mean, the Enermax case is sure hands above them. Thanks LawyerRon I found those screws. But I did install all the drives without taking it off, it was actually pretty easy. I do like the two fans they give you. Do you have to take it off to remove the second floppy plate? Also is hard matching up those individual USB connetions to the mobo, in all the other cases I've used that is one pin, this has it separated out into a separate pin for each of the 4 pins sticking up out of the mobo, what a pain. I think I'll try an Antec next time.

[junodave]

My most recent build was with the Enermax CS-003. (I believe that is the correct model) Once you have removed the side panels, you will notice that the plastic front is held on by three or four plastic split pins on each side. I used needlenose pliers to pinch them together and press forward. Once they get started the rest is fairly easy. BE WARNED though, there are a number of wires that connect to the front panel. Don't pull them free.

I agree that this is not the most builder-friendly case I have seen, but once you have all of your drives and such in place, who cares?:)

Don't force it too much, and you will be just fine.

Dave

[babylon5guy]

Thanks for the heads up Dave, as it stands now I'm not even going to take it off, I have all the drives in place. I'll even leave that second floppy face plate on if I have to take the front panel off to remove it. How hard was it connecting all those little USB wires?

[junodave]

It's been a little while since my build, but as I recall hooking up the wires wasn't too difficult. The hardest thing is that it is not a single molded plug. As I understand there is no USB hub pin standard setup among motherboard manufacturers for hooking up...that is why they don'tsupply it with a single plug. My mobo is a Soltek SO75DRV5, what's yours?

As I recall there was a complete set of wires for the top row of pins on the board, but one less wire for the bottom row. that leaves one pin bare. I didn't worry, because I think it was a ground wire and only one was required (?)... don't know for sure, but I just use one port on front, and it seems to work fine. I guess it could be that one port is powered and one is not -- not sure. The documentation with the case was sorely lacking.

Anyway, good luck.

Dave

[morriswindgate]

To connect both the Front Panel Connectors and the USB Connectors, do it before you mount the board in the case. Just rest it on the case and connect everything.

[babylon5guy]

Ha, ha Dave what documentation, you get some drawing on the outside of the box. Yeah your right 4 pins in one row and 3 in the other. It's an Asus P4PE/L. Well at least I got a good power supply.

Good tip morriswindgate I've never done that I'll give it a try. I'd rather mount the CPU and heatsink than do those little wires!

It's too bad someone can't make a case with the good points of each of the top sellers. It seems whatever one you get there is something not done well, that would make your install easier. So far the Enlight has been the best but it could use a few of the features some of the others have. I use to like the In-Win's but the fit and finish left something to be desired. On three of those builds I had to use washers between the standoffs and the mobo because it was shorting out, due to the holes not being aligned as well as they could have been. No more of that nonsense. For as little as I charge to put one of these togeather for friends and family I DO NOT want to be fooling around with that nonsense! I suppose if I bought one of the more expensive cases they probably would be better but everyone wants to keep the cost down. Oh well thanks for listening to my rant.