Micron Computers and Dell both had system units like that around the time.

BitWrangler wrote on 2023-03-02, 04:48:

Micron Computers and Dell both had system units like that around the time.

I was thinking Dell myself. I can't find any that look exactly like that, but there are some from the 486 era that are close.

As a side note... if it does end up being a Dell, don't be surprised if there are no pictures of it available. Apparently there are Dell home (not office) computers from ~1993 that have managed to avoid having any pictures or information about them recorded on the entire internet. I recently purchased one complete in box, a Dell Exclaim! 486/50 and have found absolutely zilch about it online, aside from a trademark record of the name and one passing comment about it's existence on a forum.

Looks a lot like this, with an almost identical drive layout, but the front panel is a bit different.

(seller's picture... I haven't received it yet)

Kind of looks like the IN-WIN IW-B500 (but probaby isn't) - https://web.archive.org/web/20011106002116/ht … e/ino_b500.html

PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on 2023-03-02, 07:26:

Kind of looks like the IN-WIN IW-B500 (but probaby isn't) - https://web.archive.org/web/20011106002116/ht … e/ino_b500.html

IN-WIN IW-B500 AT.jpg

That has to be it. It's hard to be 100% certain due to the different angle and lighting... but it is too close to not be it.

PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on 2023-03-02, 07:26:

Kind of looks like the IN-WIN IW-B500 (but probaby isn't) - https://web.archive.org/web/20011106002116/ht … e/ino_b500.html

IN-WIN IW-B500 AT.jpg

That case isn't it, but that case is why I think this may be an In-Win because the style is SO close. Acer and Compudyne had similar cases as well, but none of them were all plastic and screwless, and none were as close as this one is.

The case in my picture has a ridge and rounded corner to the right of the 5.25 bays, and the power button is below the floppy. I don't recall ever seeing this case as a prebuilt (Dell, PB, etc). I got this case used when I was working as a tech in a small PC store, and I saw it come in a few times over the years in custom builds.

Thank you all for the replies, this is awesome. I hope we can find what it is!

OK! If you pause this video at 1:11, the case is the top right one!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVEH_vx6y80

LeCroebar wrote on 2023-03-03, 13:59:

OK! If you pause this video at 1:11, the case is the top right one!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVEH_vx6y80

Screenshot 2023-03-03 085839.png

Nice!! Glad you found it!

Not surprised that Tech Tangents had one... 😀

Ozzuneoj wrote on 2023-03-03, 14:05:

LeCroebar wrote on 2023-03-03, 13:59:

OK! If you pause this video at 1:11, the case is the top right one!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVEH_vx6y80

Screenshot 2023-03-03 085839.png

Nice!! Glad you found it!

Not surprised that Tech Tangents had one... 😀

Update it's in the video, apparently! Acer bd24-i333a (Aopen) !! WOO HOO!
Thanks for all the conversation!

It's time for the ..
*unlocks walk in safe*
*removes briefcase*
*sets briefcase on desk*
*unlocks briefcase*
*opens and removes stone tablet*
*places tablet carefully on desk, it reads..*

"ACER WARNING, not every Acer machine that appears at first glance to take standard baby AT, mATX or ATX format boards is actually standard, some of them are, and other boards will fit, sometimes they are frustrating millimeters away from lining up. Often, they have custom power supplies with the pinouts switched around, these use the same connectors as standard supplies and look like they fit, but they are wired differently. To amuse themselves Acer also make machines where everything is more or less standard. Assume nothing, check, confirm outputs with a multimeter. Again, assume NOTHING. If you have a handheld gadget that confirms the physical constants of our known universe are as expected, please measure any variance in the interior of an Acer case, we have always been curious."

LeCroebar wrote on 2023-03-03, 14:50:

Ozzuneoj wrote on 2023-03-03, 14:05:

LeCroebar wrote on 2023-03-03, 13:59:

OK! If you pause this video at 1:11, the case is the top right one!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVEH_vx6y80

Screenshot 2023-03-03 085839.png

Nice!! Glad you found it!

Not surprised that Tech Tangents had one... 😀

Update it's in the video, apparently! Acer bd24-i333a (Aopen) !! WOO HOO!
Thanks for all the conversation!

That might be the complete system model, rather than the case - https://fccid.io/IPLBD24-I333A

BitWrangler wrote on 2023-03-03, 16:33:

It's time for the .. *unlocks walk in safe* *removes briefcase* *sets briefcase on desk* *unlocks briefcase* *opens and removes […]
Show full quote

It's time for the ..
*unlocks walk in safe*
*removes briefcase*
*sets briefcase on desk*
*unlocks briefcase*
*opens and removes stone tablet*
*places tablet carefully on desk, it reads..*

"ACER WARNING, not every Acer machine that appears at first glance to take standard baby AT, mATX or ATX format boards is actually standard, some of them are, and other boards will fit, sometimes they are frustrating millimeters away from lining up. Often, they have custom power supplies with the pinouts switched around, these use the same connectors as standard supplies and look like they fit, but they are wired differently. To amuse themselves Acer also make machines where everything is more or less standard. Assume nothing, check, confirm outputs with a multimeter. Again, assume NOTHING. If you have a handheld gadget that confirms the physical constants of our known universe are as expected, please measure any variance in the interior of an Acer case, we have always been curious."

🤣. THIS one, however I did have, as a matter of fact the original pic in this thread is my desk in 1996! I don't want to brag, but I was rocking a P90 in there 😉 I never saw this case branded as AOpen, which is wild. The one I had came in as a trade-in and had aftermarket parts in it, but I bought the case cause I loved it!

PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on 2023-03-03, 21:00:

LeCroebar wrote on 2023-03-03, 14:50:

Ozzuneoj wrote on 2023-03-03, 14:05:

Nice!! Glad you found it!

Not surprised that Tech Tangents had one... 😀

Update it's in the video, apparently! Acer bd24-i333a (Aopen) !! WOO HOO!
Thanks for all the conversation!

That might be the complete system model, rather than the case - https://fccid.io/IPLBD24-I333A

I think you're exactly right. I looked up that ID on the FCC's site and unfortunately there's not much info, but it was registered in 1994 - so likely was a complete built. There's some Soc3 motherboards for sale online with the same model # as well.

LeCroebar wrote on 2023-03-03, 22:04:

🤣. THIS one, however I did have, as a matter of fact the original pic in this thread is my desk in 1996! I don't want to brag, but I was rocking a P90 in there 😉 I never saw this case branded as AOpen, which is wild. The one I had came in as a trade-in and had aftermarket parts in it, but I bought the case cause I loved it!

Oh good, at least you know you're not chasing something you might not be able to use. Out of curiosity, did it have an AOpen/Acer PSU in it or was it swapped out?

I have that case in my collection, don't think it has a brand name anywhere.

BitWrangler wrote on 2023-03-03, 22:56:

LeCroebar wrote on 2023-03-03, 22:04:

🤣. THIS one, however I did have, as a matter of fact the original pic in this thread is my desk in 1996! I don't want to brag, but I was rocking a P90 in there 😉 I never saw this case branded as AOpen, which is wild. The one I had came in as a trade-in and had aftermarket parts in it, but I bought the case cause I loved it!

Oh good, at least you know you're not chasing something you might not be able to use. Out of curiosity, did it have an AOpen/Acer PSU in it or was it swapped out?

I don't remember what PSU was in it. I had it for a while so I have a hard time thinking that I didn't swap that out at some point. I kept this thing going until I finally upgrayedd'd to a PII in 1998 and I had to go with an ATX case.

Friendly reminder, please no sales request or offers on Vogons. (someone was asking)