I remember locking cases WAY back in the XT and 286 era, (I think they were
mainly IBM units) but thought that by the 486 days they had become
unpopular.
I believe the telling factor is the shape of the keyhole. If it is a
straight slot, then it is a case lock. If the keyhole is circular, it is an
electronic switch.
Jim Meagher
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----- Original Message -----
From: Kyle Elmblade <[log in to unmask]>
> Actually, I have run into cases that have "case" locks on them. I am
> racking my brain trying to figure out the manufacturer, but I am nearly
> certain it was NOT Compaq. If the case is indeed a lockable one, I
remember
> getting around this (beings how the keys were long lost by the time we got
> to them) by using a strong, flat-head screwdriver, inserting it into the
key
> portion, and turning it until the lock breaks. Good luck.
>
> Kyle
>
>
> >From: Bob Wright <[log in to unmask]>
> >Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Locked Case....No Key.... = :-{
> >Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 14:21:33 -0700
> >
> >At 03:31 PM 11/02/1999 , Jim Meagher wrote:
> >>Tom,
> >>Most PCs of that era had a keylock to electrically disable the keyboard
> >>NOT
> >>lock the case. If the PC is a true Compaq, there would be a prominent
> >>label
> >>on the front of the box, since you didn't mention it, I would assume
that
> >>the monitor and keyboard did not come with the unit originally.
> >>
> >>----- Original Message -----
> >>From: Tom Cohick <[log in to unmask]>
> >>
> >> > My son acquired an old 486 computer. It's a tower case (thing is huge
> >>and
> >> > heavy), possibly a workstation of some type. It contains a 3.5
floppy,
> >>a
> >> > small hard drive, and some other goodies that don't appear to be
> >>working;
> >> > e.g., 5.25 floppy, optical disc drive, CD Disc drive, and etc..
> >> > I believe it's a Compaq as that's the brand on the monitor and
> >>keyboard.
> >> > Seems like a good project for him (me ;->) to fool around with, but
the
> >> > problem is we can't get the case open. There is a lock on the top of
> >>the
> >> > front panel, but we don't have a key for it. Any suggestions as to
how
> >>to
> >> > get into this thing without destroying the case? Thanx in advance for
> >>all
> >> > help.
> >
> >Jim is right about the case probably not locked together with the key
lock.
> >
> >Typically, those key locks are only to shut down power to the motherboard
> >to keep someone from accessing the system when you are not about...
> >though they are easy to disable if you remove the cover. Just unplug the
> >wires from the keylock to the motherboard.
> >
> >I am willing to bet the case will come apart if you just investigate it a
> >bit
> >more. It probably is not a design you have seen before. The very large
> >server tower cases often have a pry off cap on them and then hidden
> >screws that remove each side panel independently.
> >
> >If we are wrong and someone actually built a case at one point that is
> >locked together by a key, you probably can take it to a local locksmith
> >and have the lock opened by him for only a few dollars...
> >
> > Bob Wright
>
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