VOGONS


First post, by stubbertville

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Hello again Vogons, I was hoping someone would be able to help me identify these two PC cases, it’s a lot harder to find these things out then with early 2000s cases which had there name plastered all over them, I mainly want to do this so I can look for button replacements for both of them, my little brother lost the resets switch On the little one, and I got the big one with the reset switch missing, Again, if anyone can help or even point me in the direction of button replacements that would be amazing, thank you all so much!

Reply 1 of 4, by Cuttoon

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Hi, until the whole 2000s 3D gaming and casemodding craze, there were hardly any real brands for computer cases and their retail market share was slim.
(Apart from the cases of large OEMs like IBM, Compaq, Dell, of course - but those are not really brands for cases, they order them in Taiwan and label them.)

Even "name" cases oftentimes are from the same anonymous factory as countless nameless OEM products. I own a In-Win Q500 big tower since 1999, that is a real brand, but I recognize the basic build in all kinds of OEM cases as well.

Meaning: Probably no such thing as a name for those two.
The mini tower is early to mid 90s. The midi one very much fits the "win 98" sticker.

So, your best bet for genuine replacement parts would probably be to browse ebay or classifieds until you find roughly the same case to cannibalise, but what would be the point of that?

Obvious year 2022 recommendation: Try finding a 3D printing service and have them copy the turbo button of the mini tower, that should be trivial.
Maybe the other one as well, but it lacks a template.

Or you could improvise on a diy basis on that one. It's hardly noticable as it is.
The reset switch is technically very simple, just an "on" push button. Meaning, it shorts the cables attached to it when compressed, triggering the cold boot, then returning to the forward position.
(unlike the turbo switch which has a fixed rear position)
So, all a button cap has to do is somehow stay in place and return with the button spring. Any random piece of material that somehow sticks to the button rod will do. E.g. a piece of Aluminum or brass, drill a hole, file it in shape, paint with modelling paint, glue it on with epoxy. You should be able to remove the switch from the case to fit the piece.

All that is cosmetic. The larger one is ATX, I assume. Neither button is essential. If the reset button doesn't work at all, the power button would have the exact same function when attached to the board's reset connector. Set the BIOS to "power on after power failure" and it will boot when connected to the grid.

Sorry, I'd love to tell you "order a type x reset switch for a 1998 casemaster pro" via Ebay, but it's not that easy. 😀

Those are both nice boxes, good luck!

I like jumpers.

Reply 2 of 4, by Repo Man11

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Here's a photo of the top case' make and model, but the manufacturer isn't mentioned on the website where these cases are listed.

https://aiyamicro.com/legacy-products/cases_computer.htm

After watching many YouTube videos about older computer hardware, YouTube began recommending videos about trains - are they trying to tell me something?

Reply 3 of 4, by Cuttoon

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well, will you look at that? They seem to be in high demand.

Still, I doubt there's a spare part aftermarket for those...

PLEASE HELP ME FIND THIS CASE!!! :D

I like jumpers.

Reply 4 of 4, by Repo Man11

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Newegg still has a listing for the slightly newer version of the ATX case (provision for a side panel fan and front USB ports) and the manufacturer is Maxtop Technology. Your post isn't clear: on the ATX case, is the button for the reset switch broken or missing, or is it the reset switch itself? The reset switch is a generic momentary contact switch, easily replaceable, but the button for it is specific to this case and would be nearly impossible to replace.

https://www.newegg.com/beige-maxtop-hivemind- … N82E16811150027

After watching many YouTube videos about older computer hardware, YouTube began recommending videos about trains - are they trying to tell me something?