PC case with only one accessible side panel?!?

[danatnt]

I'm trying to replace a DVD ROM with a DVD writer on a generic brand V2
Premier PC (Home Shopping Network) for a friend. I've replaced tons of
components over the years on a variety of different cases, but have
never seen a case where I can't open one side of the case. It seems
like it should slide right open like the others (I am trying to remove
what I imagine is a holding screw on the opposite side of the DVD ROM
so the drive will slide out), but I've had no luck. There seem to be no
screws or push-in release tabs, only rivets. The other side of the PC
case does have a screw you have to remove and some tabs to push open
before you slide the side panel off.

Am I missing something, or are there PC cases out there where one side
panel can't be removed?

Thanks.

Dana

 

[Grinder]

I'm trying to replace a DVD ROM with a DVD writer on a generic brand V2
Premier PC (Home Shopping Network) for a friend. I've replaced tons of
components over the years on a variety of different cases, but have
never seen a case where I can't open one side of the case. It seems
like it should slide right open like the others (I am trying to remove
what I imagine is a holding screw on the opposite side of the DVD ROM
so the drive will slide out), but I've had no luck. There seem to be no
screws or push-in release tabs, only rivets. The other side of the PC
case does have a screw you have to remove and some tabs to push open
before you slide the side panel off.

Am I missing something, or are there PC cases out there where one side
panel can't be removed?

I have one like that. The drives fit into bays that have tension
levers, so you don't have to get to the other side to put in screws.
I'm very happy with the design and will probably someday try to fit a
new motherboard into it.

I can't give you the manufacturer and model, however, as it was provided
to me in a Gateway "custom" build.

 

[danatnt]

I have one like that. The drives fit into bays that have tension

levers, so you don't have to get to the other side to put in screws.
I'm very happy with the design and will probably someday try to fit a
new motherboard into it.

Wish that's what this one had. Once I remove the screws from the drive
on one side, it will only slide out a short distance in either
direction as if there was a "slider screw" on the other side.

Dana

 

[kony]

I'm trying to replace a DVD ROM with a DVD writer on a generic brand V2
Premier PC (Home Shopping Network) for a friend. I've replaced tons of
components over the years on a variety of different cases, but have
never seen a case where I can't open one side of the case.

Somewhat common on OEM cases, it requires that either the
far, inaccessible side of the drive have a lever, notch,
some kind of alternate release mechanism, or that the drive
is secured on the far side by a scew pointing upwards,
screwed into the bottom of the frame on the far side rather
than the side of the frame (look at the bottom of most hard
drives to see what I mean- there are one or more tapped
holes on the bottom), OR the entire drive cage comes out.

This latter possiblity might be what you have, that the
front (plastic?) bezel, face of the system pops off, then
from that access point the entire drive bay slides out the
front of the system. This arrangement is far more common on
small cases.

Wish that's what this one had. Once I remove the screws from the drive
on one side, it will only slide out a short distance in either
direction as if there was a "slider screw" on the other side.

If all else fails, try to find a small mirror and strong
light positionied to better see what you're up against. If
you have a link to a good picture of the case that might
help too if the above doesn't.