VOGONS


First post, by bean_boy7197

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

Hey guys how's everyone? I finally had the chance to build a Windows 98 retro pc and I've been gathering parts, just recently I came across a MX300 Aureal Vortex 2 sound card without a back i/o bracket and the seller warned me what without the i/o plate it's not possible to fit onto the motherboard and the case. So I just want to ask have any of you had this kind of issue before? Do you think it's possible to just slot in the sound card without the bracket? Cheers!

Reply 1 of 6, by Errius

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

I believe you can buy plastic/mesh brackets on fleabay. You can then cut your own holes without need for any heavy duty tools.

Is this too much voodoo?

Reply 2 of 6, by Benedikt

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

A typical PCI slot will hold the hard in place firmly enough, but you have to be careful with the cables you plug in.
However, you might be able to get a bracket that has a DA15 cutout in the right place. You'd then have to drill the four circular holes, only.

Reply 3 of 6, by Ozzuneoj

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

If the retro community can figure out a solution to this problem which has few, if any, compromises versus having original back plates, I'll be very happy.

It's getting extremely common to find cards that have been hit by scrappers and are missing the plates.

If there was a way to produce new ones (of any material) the first problem is figuring out how to measure the placement of holes in relation to the card without a bracket to copy. I made a post about this a while ago but I can't seem to locate it now.

Edit: Found it.
Re: voodoo 3 3000 pci parts question

Basic idea:

I think it'd be helpful if we could figure out a standard measurement to determine where the VGA port is in relation to the PCI connector. Maybe measuring from the bottom left corner of the PCI connector to the spot where the VGA connector meets the back of the PCB (on this card, where the blue plastic edge would meet the back plate) could be standard... since the connector will always be the same size and have to be the same distance from the card front-to-back. This way, we could say "I need a back plate with the VGA connector 58mm from the PCI connector"... which I do.

Now for some blitting from the back buffer.

Reply 4 of 6, by Hezus

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

It's possible to slot it in without the bracket, but the entire weight of the card would rest of the pins (if it hangs like in a vertical case).

I've made my own brackets into the past by cutting into them with a multi tool. If you're used to handling tools it's not a very tricky job. Holes for the audio ports are easy to drill out.

Visit my YT Channel!

Reply 5 of 6, by bean_boy7197

User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
Errius wrote on 2021-03-06, 09:50:

I believe you can buy plastic/mesh brackets on fleabay. You can then cut your own holes without need for any heavy duty tools.

Benedikt wrote on 2021-03-06, 10:13:

A typical PCI slot will hold the hard in place firmly enough, but you have to be careful with the cables you plug in.
However, you might be able to get a bracket that has a DA15 cutout in the right place. You'd then have to drill the four circular holes, only.

Ozzuneoj wrote on 2021-03-06, 15:00:
If the retro community can figure out a solution to this problem which has few, if any, compromises versus having original back […]
Show full quote

If the retro community can figure out a solution to this problem which has few, if any, compromises versus having original back plates, I'll be very happy.

It's getting extremely common to find cards that have been hit by scrappers and are missing the plates.

If there was a way to produce new ones (of any material) the first problem is figuring out how to measure the placement of holes in relation to the card without a bracket to copy. I made a post about this a while ago but I can't seem to locate it now.

Edit: Found it.
Re: voodoo 3 3000 pci parts question

Basic idea:

I think it'd be helpful if we could figure out a standard measurement to determine where the VGA port is in relation to the PCI connector. Maybe measuring from the bottom left corner of the PCI connector to the spot where the VGA connector meets the back of the PCB (on this card, where the blue plastic edge would meet the back plate) could be standard... since the connector will always be the same size and have to be the same distance from the card front-to-back. This way, we could say "I need a back plate with the VGA connector 58mm from the PCI connector"... which I do.

Indeed that's what I've seen so far, as I was looking for the sound card I came across quite a few cards in pretty good condition? But with a few issues like missing plates and damaged ports. These antique sound cards are already so rare we could find 🙁

Hezus wrote on 2021-03-06, 16:06:

It's possible to slot it in without the bracket, but the entire weight of the card would rest of the pins (if it hangs like in a vertical case).

I've made my own brackets into the past by cutting into them with a multi tool. If you're used to handling tools it's not a very tricky job. Holes for the audio ports are easy to drill out.

Thanks so much for the quick responses guys! You all have given me a basic idea to work this out, highly appreciated. Another thing although this card uses the same chip as Aureal Vortex 2, in terms of driver and overall stability, what's everyone's opinions? Mind to share some thoughts?

Reply 6 of 6, by Benedikt

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Your best bet for a homemade solution is to find the standard bracket that is the closest to what you need and to subsequently modify it to really match what you need.
Just search the catalog of a supplier of your choice for slot brackets, e.g. like this and read the data sheets.
When drilling holes, drill under oil and start with a small hole. Use a vice, step drill and drill press if you can, improvise if you can't.

In this particular case, the brackets 9200-3 and 9200-11 by Keystone are worth a closer look. But at least the latter is actually an ISA bracket, which means that the DA15 cutout is rotated by 180°.

Other than that, you could try to find a laser cutting service that cuts sheet metal and send them a CAD drawing for custom brackets.