VOGONS


First post, by snorg

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So as I could not source a proper Baby AT style case for my 386 or 486 build I have planned, I bought an Inwin ATX case that is close enough in style to pass. It has 4 slots accessible but I don't plan on having more than 4 expansion cards, anyway.

My problem is this: the case has motherboard standoffs that are molded into the aluminum panel where the motherboard would fit, and only one of them lines up with the tiny 386 motherboard I have. The rest are in positions where they are likely to short something out if I put the motherboard in like that.

My question is: how do I use this case with an old AT style motherboard? Whack the aluminum stand-offs with a hammer until they are flat, and drill/tap holes for brass standoffs where they need to go for the motherboard that I have? Grind the aluminum stand-offs down? Leave them be but get brass stand-offs that are just high enough to clear the existing ones, and then use those, running the risk that I won't be able to properly screw the expansion cards in since they will be standing a millimeter or two higher than they should? Unfortunately, I didn't see that it had those molded in stand-offs when purchasing the case.

I really want to get this system going, I suppose worst case scenario I can move my Pentium Pro build to this case instead since it is an ATX motherboard.

Reply 1 of 4, by emosun

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Just chop out the molded standoffs with a plasma cutter or I suppose a dremel would also work but be slower.

if you try to hammer them down youll just turn the mobo tray into a warped mess. Sure would be a lot better if you just used an AT case instead of atx.

Reply 2 of 4, by snorg

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Yeah, but an AT case is a minimum of $50 plus criminal shipping charges off Ebay, unless I can scrounge something at Goodwill or Salvation Army. I haven't seen many PCs there the last time I was in, if there were they were much more modern systems.

Reply 3 of 4, by Ampera

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Don't do that. Don't mangle your case as it could even make things worse if you don't properly clean out every metal filing from the case so it can't fall into components and short something.

Put multiple layers of good electrical tape down onto the standoffs. I personally use 2, but 3, 4, or however many you want is fine. This gives the board some support too. I use it myself and I have not had any
through-hole components breaking the tape and shorting anything.

Reply 4 of 4, by deleted_Rc

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Imo just get a thin metal sheet and mount that on top of the old one, the use old holes for the mount and drill new ones for the form factor you desire. You only raise the mobo with 1 mm tops so shouldn't be a huge problem