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Which Screw Goes Where?
Anonymous Coward writes "I saw this link over at HardOCP. Finally, a definitive (well, they hedge a bit at the end) guide that explains
where to use each one of those little screws that come packed with new PC cases. All that and a 'test your knowledge' quiz in the bargain. Definitely bookmark-worthy."
Thank God for my Slashdot subscription. With some of those pictures of the screws running 200k, I know that everything is going to buckle within the first half hour. If that, even.
Which mades me think about an idea...
One of these days I'm going to post a story or article, or picture that'll make slashdot's front page. Then, just as the site get slashdotted...
I'll add porno banner popup hell to it!
I'm not sure how much money it would end up earning me, but damn, that would be cool to see how Slashdot would react. Would they pull the story? Add an update to it?
In fact, I think SCO should start having porno popups to help provide money to their warchest if the HTTP_REFERER is from slashdot.org :)
(P.S: No I probably wouldn't actually go through with something like that, but brainstorming can be fun)
/^[A-Z0-9._%+-]+@[A-Z0-9.-]+\.[A-Z]{2,4}$/i
Old 5 1/4" HH Seagate hard disks could be damanged (case warp) by using 6-32 UNC screws of the wrong length.
Center IDE-era disks (early maxtors come to mind) could have the PCB damaged by using 6-32 UNC screws of the wrong length (i.e. case screws)
Seen both happen personally. Did neither. The first one ruined the seals on the disk. The second one let the smoke out.
Do daemons dream of electric sleep()?
OK, so, where's a good place (online) to buy a set of extra screws? They tend to disappear like ball-point pens (especially case screws), but I know where to buy pens.
Ideally, I'd like a set that includes all the common screws; I'd also like to be able to buy a package of each type separately. It'd be really cool if each type was a different color or something, making it easier to tell them apart at a glance, but this is probably silly.
Recommendations?
$x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
$x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
There are two, sometimes three thread sizes with your standard clone PC case. Small fits floppy disks, CD/DVD drives and holds the motherboard down. Large fits hard disks, holds the blanking plates in place, and fits the power supply, usually also the case. Sometimes the case has a larger thread size.
I thought this was obvious - screw goes where it fits, as you say. I recently went to a reasonably well respected computer shop and was served by an assistant aged around 19. I'm 30 and I've been building PCs since I was 19. The guy tried to sell me small screws for a hard disk. I told him what I thought. He pulled out a hard disk and one of his little screws and screwed it in as if to say "see?". I said to him, keep turning. Needless to say the screw had zero purchase in the hole. He still would not accept his incorrectitude.
I really wanted to punch his spotty little face. But I didn't, as I know better.
Stupid, pointless rant? Yes. But I've not spoken to anyone about this incident (how do you bring it up in normal conversation?) and this is truly a release to get it off my chest.
Yours Sincerely, Michael.
As long as you have nerve endings in your fingers, you should not need a guide for what screw goes where.
;)
Just try one that looks right. If it's too small go bigger. If it feels like it's cross threading, use the other thread style (fine/coarse). If it feels like it's getting hard to screw too soon try a shorter one.
There, that's the whole damn guide. We're not talking a about a device that needs grade 5 bolts in one place an normal bolts in another. It's all obvious. Just follow this simple rule:
If it feels wrong, it's wrong, don't force it.
It should be applied to ANY screwing you do
Life is too short to proofread.
I also keep a plastic vial in my zippered toolset, and if I ever end up with unused screws, I put them in that. A mentor in college taught me that these leftovers are the fruits of "system improvements." You know, three screws can hold a hard drive, especially in a box you don't keep at your desk. The fourth one is an optimization, and a handy thing to keep in your cache.
[
So, what do I do with the fiber washers? The site's sladhdotted, and I want to know.
--
Power to the Peaceful
the best thing about macs is that MCSE's just look all confused when people ask them for help, so they can't fuck anything up.
the same is also true for linux, but what brand of masochistic linux user asks an MCSE for help?
london is drowning and i live by river
Incorrect. ATX Power supplies have a plethera of ground wires, which ground inside the power supply, which ground into the wall outlet. What good would grounding something to your case do? There's no electrical difference, unless your floor is the ground and your case isn't on plastic feet.
Electrically, it's VERY different. Obviously you know nothing about radio frequency electronics. Ever heard of shielding? That's why your case is grounded.
I said motherboards are designed for those holes to be grounded. I didn't say they HAD to be, just that it's expected. You'd have to be a real idiot to design a generic motherboard that couldn't cope with grounded mounting screws. A better chassis ground is going to give you better EMI suppression. It's not 100% necessary, but it's not going to hurt anything.
Many cases have plastic windows in the side. That doesn't mean it's a good practice from an electrical standpoint, or that computer cases are made of metal for no reason. Personally, I wonder why the FCC hasn't cracked down on the sale of cases with plastic windows in the side.
Life is too short to proofread.