Computer brand quirks I find anoying

[foobar]

There are a few brands of computers that I find to have annoying quirks. I've done enough lately, that I'm starting to come prepared for teardown based on the computer.



HP / Compaq - uses those little torx / slotted screws.

IBM - even worse, uses the screws with the slotted head only. Also, seems to be the only brand I've seen that screws the CPU heat sink down.

Dell - I dislike the ones where the motherboard is on a steel tray that slides out when the green tab is lifted up - especially when there is an add-on card with more PCI slots. It seems like I have to figure out this system each time, and I've had more than a few that I had to get a screwdriver or even a pry bar to pry the tray out.

In the past, I tackled computers with just a Phillips #2, a thicker flat heat, and a pair of wire cutters. I usually take these on in the LR while watching TV with the wife. Now I've put a small toolbox together with 99% of my tool needs. That's how I've come to deal with the non standard screws.

Anyone who has figured out the Dell sliding tray assembly, please let me know what you've learned. I've found some that come right out, but most need some force in multiple points to come out.

Other common quirks that slow down your tear down?

[Jonniebrass]

I just did a bunch of dells with the sliding tray. I have a technique finally that works. When you remove the tray with board bend the tab back away from tray put flat head screw driver between main board and add on board give a little tug. The small board pulls away from gold finger wiggle to get it off then just slide main board off. I bend the tab back and put plate inside case.

[happyscraper]

To do this job right you need the right tools. You will need an elelctric screwdriver and several types of bits and 1/4" socket. On those dells with the slide out trays the add on board has a little metal clip on the right hand side (I'm trying to remember) bend it down then pull board out.

[AuburnEwaste]

The trick on these Dells is to pop off the plastic housing that the CPU heatsink fits into.

First, remove the screws holding the motherboard and the expansion board down. The expansion board is held into the case by a metal tab that bends outward. Then slide the whole assembly out of the case. On the expansion board, grab the side with a pair of pliers and yank on it until it loosens, then slide the board out. Next, set the motherboard on a flat surface and pop off the plastic housing that the CPU heatsink fits into. Once this is removed, the board should come off the metal backing. Maybe I can make a video tomorrow.

[Pnutfarmer]

I'm with you on those pesky slotted screws on old IBMs. There are a lot of things I don't like about Dells. One of which is that many of the wires are held down by steel clips that are so tough that you sometimes have to cut the wires to get them out.

[foobar]

You know, I've never bent the metal tab on the Dells. That may be what I've been missing.

[foobar]

The metal tab at the bottom was the key to those Dells! I did two last night and once you bend the tab out of the way, they slid out with no problem. Thank you so much! Once again, I'm glad to be a part of this forum!

[Goatrutar]

Apple Powermac G5. The stuff of nightmares.

[Electrowaste]

It actually really embarrassing to admit, but those brackets that hold the heatsink down in many different computers, I still have never figured out how to open them correctly. We take large flat-blade screwdrivers, wedge them between the heatsinks, and them twist the driver and that normally pops them off.

[Sirscrapalot]

I use a pair of klines, or needle nose for those heat sinks. Works well, snaps the thin metal or pulls it right out.

Most annoying? For me it was a Gateway, I forget the model. Silly things had so many hidden releases locks, buttons. Gah. Drove me nuts the first 10 of them. After it became simple but a royal pita. Half the locks stuck/frozen, so I'd end up busting them.

Otherwise I enjoy most of them. The screws for mother boards annoy me to. They always try an hide like 3 of the **** thigns for some reason. Same with a hard drive, always at lest one under the freaking sticker! lol

Sirscrapalot - Screw it, I'm getting the hammer. - Possible words said while dealing with a stubborn tower.

[spinroch]

I can never get the D**N steering wheel off!

[Scrappah]

Uggggh ... Don't know how many times i've thought to myself that the best use of a Mac is in the landfill.



It's a rant thread so please forgive if i'm being a little intemperate.

[Sirscrapalot]

You call that a rant? LOL

Scrappah we need to show you past rants.

Seriously those green latches..pop them off with a screw drive or smack them with a hammer. No more issues.

Yes yes I know you all resell or make new computers an what not.

Aim right with the hammer an no issues to your goodies. I speak as a master of the 10th degree of hammering.

It works on every PC! an MACs!

You can't just go all willy nilly on it tho. Your aim must be true.

Oh an motherboard screws still suck.

Sirscrapalot - hater of hidden screws.

[Scrappah]

< Gentle laughter > I'm just tryin' to be good and not stir the pot. You know how some folks prefer Chevys and others prefer Fords ? It's like that with PC and Mac sometimes. It would be all kinds of better not to get into that argument. All the more reason to tread lightly on that subject. That said:

Gory .... some of those things are waaay overbuilt. If nuclear war ever broke out the only critters to survive would be a cockroach and a Mac !

My problem is that I'm just too darned methodical. Disassemble in reverse order of the way it was assembled.That works like a charm with a PC but it's a major PITA with a Mac. I have to go on-line to find the dis-assembly instructions ! It's like they intentionally went out of their way to make em' difficult to work on.

Can't see any reason to resell or ever try to put one of those @#$%^&* things back into service. Best use is in the landfill cause they're in the way when you're tryin' to get things done. Bah .... persnickety nonsense !

Next time i get a Mac in the shop I'll start with the safety glasses and a 3 lb. maul.

[ETTRAN]

hi,great pic of a home computer,ed.

[ETTRAN]

you have that right,ed.

[matador]

I'll take your Green Slot Loaded Dell motherboard and raise you a Pentium II/III motherboard in the Dimension XPS. Pointed brackets hold it in place. What a pain!

And, Anything Mac should count.