Transfering computer to a differnt case!!!

[puppypal41]

ok, i have a old gateway 2000 G6-200 XL. Its has a big case. I want to put the computer in a new case. Does it matter which case? Does any case work?
What case do you reccomend that is cheep and cool looking?

Thanks
HELP!!

[mikezel]

If its a gateway, chances are that you won't be able to put it into a new case for a couple of reasons: 1) the holes on your motherboard probably won't line up with the screws in the case, so you won't be able to mount it and 2) your gateway PSU probably won't fit in the new case, and a new PSU probably won't work with your gateway mobo.

Now, this might not be the case, so you may want to wait for another member's opinion.

Mike

[puppypal41]

What does it matter that its a gateway?

Anybody, help with suggestions for a new case for my gateway 2000 G6-200 XL. I want to put the computer in a new case. Does it matter which case? Does any case work? Can it be done at all?
What case do you reccomend that is cheep and cool looking?

[Kov-Ice]

As mike said, Gateway may be tough to fit into a standard case. Gateway makes alot of their items proprietary, so the screw holes on the mobos and PSUs won't line up with anything other than one of their own cases. You can try it, so long as you don't mind the hassle of having to return the case you bought and replace everything back into the old case if things don't work out...

[JPMiller]

Your cheepest case deal will be from Amamax, however no matter what case you get you will most likely have to mod it in some way to fit the gateway components into it...
you may have to carefully map out and drill new mobo stand-off holes for the motherboard tray, drill new holes for the PSU screws, and possibly other modifications as well...
doesnt mean you cant do it.... but dont expect it to be an easy swap...
most brand name builders, (GateWay, Compaq, HP, Emachines, etc.) use proprietary components with "off-kilter" screw holes and sizes...

[puppypal41]

Whats proprietary?

[Hi Ho]

Whats proprietary?

Proprietary means it's non-standard and will only work with parts of the same brand. For example, many big name companies such as Gateway, Dell, HP, etc. use proprietory components so you either have to buy replacements or upgrades from them for an inflated price or buy a whole new PC. Not all models use proprietory parts so you would have to find out whether you motherboard is standard first.

[Cricket]

Older Gateway's used standard parts, but if it's really old it may be a AT form factor and not a standard ATX.

Look at the back of the case where you plug in the keyboard and mouse...is the keyboard port about the size of a nickle? Or is the keyboard plugged into a PS/2 port?

Where does the mouse plug into? A PS/2 port or a serial port? If it's plugged into a serial port, chance are you have a AT form factor system.

Also look at the power supply...is there a thick cord going to a power switch in the front of the case? Does the motherboard power connection have 2 connectors side by side? These are common to the AT form factor.

If you do have a AT system, you'll have to find a AT case and you probably won't find a "cool" one.

Cricket

[mountainking]

Ive moved my friends new dell computer to a thermaltake tsunami case before. all the holes lined up perfectly and stuff. i dont know about gateway though. maybe their different.

[puppypal41]

Originally Posted by Cricket Older Gateway's used standard parts, but if it's really old it may be a AT form factor and not a standard ATX. Look at the back of the case where you plug in the keyboard and mouse...is the keyboard port about the size of a nickle? Or is the keyboard plugged into a PS/2 port? Where does the mouse plug into? A PS/2 port or a serial port? If it's plugged into a serial port, chance are you have a AT form factor system. Also look at the power supply...is there a thick cord going to a power switch in the front of the case? Does the motherboard power connection have 2 connectors side by side? These are common to the AT form factor. If you do have a AT system, you'll have to find a AT case and you probably won't find a "cool" one. Cricket

ok, mouse is plugged into ps/2 port, keyboard is plugged into a ps/2 port.

on the case it says it is a ATX case.
.

[Hi Ho]

Well then you may be in luck. If you could get some pictures it would help. The motherboard power connector is one tell tale sign.

[puppypal41]

Originally Posted by Hi Ho The motherboard power connector is one tell tale sign.

what do you mean?
where is it, what is it.

[Hi Ho]

It's the big connector from the power supply that attatches to the motherboard. It's hard to miss.

[puppypal41]

ok, but what about it though?
What im i looking for to tell you about.
am i telling you where the power supply connects to the motherboard is located? or what it looks like? What?

[puppypal41]

Originally Posted by Cricket Also look at the power supply...is there a thick cord going to a power switch in the front of the case? Does the motherboard power connection have 2 connectors side by side? These are common to the AT form factor. Cricket

Originally Posted by Hi Ho The motherboard power connector is one tell tale sign.

No, there is not a thick cord going to a power switch in the front of the case, it is thin wires.

No, The motherboard power connection doesnt have 2 connectors side by side. It has one.

The power supply to the motherboard is located at the center of the top.

the mouse port is ps/2
the keyboard is ps/2

and on the case it says it is a ATX case.

So after all this information: Does it matter which case? Does any case work?
What case do you reccomend that is cheep and cool looking?

[Cricket]

Looks like you're in luck...sounds like it's a standard ATX case and you should be able to transfer the parts into another case fairly easily.

Are the connections from the front of the case individual connectors or just one big connector? If it's all individual connectors, you're even more in luck and the transfer will really be easy.

The only thing I'm not sure of is the power supply...the motherboard connector may be wired differently from the ATX standard and you may need to transfer the power supply over too. But I think I heard that early Gateway ATX systems used standard ATX power supplies. I think the newer Essential series used proprietary power supplies.

Cricket

[puppypal41]

Originally Posted by Cricket Are the connections from the front of the case individual connectors or just one big connector? If it's all individual connectors, you're even more in luck and the transfer will really be easy. you may need to transfer the power supply over too. Cricket

ok, they are individual connections.

I im transfering the power supply, im keeping all the same parts.

[Cricket]

Sounds like the case swap will be pretty straightforward. Have fun.

Cricket

[puppypal41]

so just a standard ATX Case? or any ATX case? any others?
Can you give me some links to good looking cheep standard ATX case.

[Hi Ho]

I really like my CoolerMaster Centurion 2 case. I bought it for $29 on Newegg then it dissapeared but it's still there on Directron. Just about any case will do.

[puppypal41]

Originally Posted by Hi Ho Just about any case will do.

do you mean any atx or any case period?

[Cricket]

Any standard ATX case will do. Stay away from the micro-ATX cases as a standard ATX motherboard won't fit in it.

Cricket

[JPMiller]

for cases, you could look through the styles at NewEgg.. under the advanced search list, you may want to choose "midtower" for size... and pick a few you like then post links here to get opinions on quality and experiences people have had with them...
I always find the best deals at Amamax, they are a good vendor, and they have free shipping... just uncheck all the "extras" before ordering... they come with everything you need already...
http://store.yahoo.com/amamax/blatatxmicaw2.html
http://store.yahoo.com/amamax/poxcsi73atxg1.html
http://store.yahoo.com/amamax/cs1.html