Transferring from case to case...

[shadowguitar]

Hi, I just found this forum, and I wanted to ask a question. I just bought an Acer Aspire AX1200-B1792A on Newegg, and stupid me didn't check everything twice over before I bought it. I was planning on upgrading the pathetic 220W power supply, as well as adding a Radeon HD 4670 graphics card. However, I can't change the power supply since there's no space in the case to do so.
To rectify this, I was thinking of buying this case.
Is this a suitable case for inserting all of the Acer's stuff into? What will be needed to get all the innards into the new case? What tools will I need? Will everything fit properly, and will the power supply have enough connections for my components? Thanks so much in advance - I really want to get my first desktop done right!

 

[schw32m]

Hi, I just found this forum, and I wanted to ask a question. I just bought an Acer Aspire AX1200-B1792A on Newegg, and stupid me didn't check everything twice over before I bought it. I was planning on upgrading the pathetic 220W power supply, as well as adding a Radeon HD 4670 graphics card. However, I can't change the power supply since there's no space in the case to do so.
To rectify this, I was thinking of buying this case.
Is this a suitable case for inserting all of the Acer's stuff into? What will be needed to get all the innards into the new case? What tools will I need? Will everything fit properly, and will the power supply have enough connections for my components? Thanks so much in advance - I really want to get my first desktop done right!

If you bought this new, you are still under warranty.

Best advice, don't do it. You'll void the warranty.

 

[shadowguitar]

If you bought this new, you are still under warranty.

Best advice, don't do it. You'll void the warranty.

That's the thing - no matter what I did, I was going to violate the warranty somehow. There's evidently a sticker on the case that breaks if I open the case, and the warranty is voided. So even putting in a new GPU via PCI would void the warranty, which is crazy-talk.
Either way, I'm not too worried about breaking the warranty. Is the case I chose alright, and will any power supply work with the Flex ATX motherboard, as long as it fits in the case? And how will I attach the mobo to the new case(screws, clips, etc?)? Thanks!

 

[schw32m]

That's the thing - no matter what I did, I was going to violate the warranty somehow. There's evidently a sticker on the case that breaks if I open the case, and the warranty is voided. So even putting in a new GPU via PCI would void the warranty, which is crazy-talk.
Either way, I'm not too worried about breaking the warranty. Is the case I chose alright, and will any power supply work with the Flex ATX motherboard, as long as it fits in the case? And how will I attach the mobo to the new case(screws, clips, etc?)? Thanks!

Ok. Well if that is the issue we can assume that it doesn't matter.

SOOO...

First things first.

You need to find out what the MB specs are to determine if the hardware you want to put in will be compatible. This requires having the MB series number so that you can find the exact manual on that MB.

Flex ATX will fit in a new case as long as the case is built for it. Check the case specs. The form factor uses a subset of micro ATX so setting up the standoffs for the MB mount shouldn't be a problem. But check to be sure. The new case will come with screws and standoffs so small parts shouldn't be a problem. But save all the screws/standoffs and the MB back plate out of the old case. You will need the back plate later.

Make sure you have a MB manual available for that board so that you have a reference to all the pin outs for the MB connections. IE power, USB, audio, front panel, etc. If you don't have a manual be sure to map out ALL the connections before you remove anything. The manual will also have the pin outs for the power connections. You will need this just to confirm that the power supply is compatible with the MB. (some branded computers use proprietary MB designs which could differ from standard ATX PSU.)

Look at your drives. Do they use standard face plates? If so there isn't a problem with the transfer. If not, then this may be an issue you'll have to consider. Also make sure the MEM card reader is removable and will transfer to the new case.

Tools needed: Phillips screwdrivers. A small one and a standard tip size. Small slot screwdriver. Needle nose pliers or forceps. Pack of small zip ties (cable management). Diagonal cutters. Ideally a grounding strap, but if not, be sure that you ground yourself to prevent static discharge.

Re-casing is a pretty straight forward procedure. But don't rush it, take the time to study how the board is currently in the original case.

Do a search for how to's on this.. there are several articles concerning the procedures.

 

[shadowguitar]

Ok. Well if that is the issue we can assume that it doesn't matter.

SOOO...

First things first.

You need to find out what the MB specs are to determine if the hardware you want to put in will be compatible. This requires having the MB series number so that you can find the exact manual on that MB.

Flex ATX will fit in a new case as long as the case is built for it. Check the case specs. The form factor uses a subset of micro ATX so setting up the standoffs for the MB mount shouldn't be a problem. But check to be sure. The new case will come with screws and standoffs so small parts shouldn't be a problem. But save all the screws/standoffs and the MB back plate out of the old case. You will need the back plate later.

Make sure you have a MB manual available for that board so that you have a reference to all the pin outs for the MB connections. IE power, USB, audio, front panel, etc. If you don't have a manual be sure to map out ALL the connections before you remove anything. The manual will also have the pin outs for the power connections. You will need this just to confirm that the power supply is compatible with the MB. (some branded computers use proprietary MB designs which could differ from standard ATX PSU.)

Look at your drives. Do they use standard face plates? If so there isn't a problem with the transfer. If not, then this may be an issue you'll have to consider. Also make sure the MEM card reader is removable and will transfer to the new case.

Tools needed: Phillips screwdrivers. A small one and a standard tip size. Small slot screwdriver. Needle nose pliers or forceps. Pack of small zip ties (cable management). Diagonal cutters. Ideally a grounding strap, but if not, be sure that you ground yourself to prevent static discharge.

Re-casing is a pretty straight forward procedure. But don't rush it, take the time to study how the board is currently in the original case.

Do a search for how to's on this.. there are several articles concerning the procedures.

Thank you! This will be a great help, and I'll make sure to get all the info before I buy it, much less begin working on it. I believe the MB is a kind of nforce 780i, but since I'm not 100% I'll read up on it. Thanks again! I'll let you know how it goes once I get started.

 

[schw32m]

Thank you! This will be a great help, and I'll make sure to get all the info before I buy it, much less begin working on it. I believe the MB is a kind of nforce 780i, but since I'm not 100% I'll read up on it. Thanks again! I'll let you know how it goes once I get started.

If you get the MB numbers I can look in my archives for the MB specs. I know it is an Acer board but need to know which one..

Also, forgot to add in tools. A nut driver with a 4, 5 and 5.5 mm sockets really helps when setting brass standoffs

 

[shadowguitar]

If you get the MB numbers I can look in my archives for the MB specs. I know it is an Acer board but need to know which one..

Also, forgot to add in tools. A nut driver with a 4, 5 and 5.5 mm sockets really helps when setting brass standoffs

Here's what I got:
Partname: MAINBOARD BOXER nVidia MCP78 W/1394 LF
Description: MB WMCP78PV W/O SPDIF
Acer P/N: MB.SAR01.001
Here's a link to a site that has pictures and info on the motherboard, and here's a link to Tiger Direct's page for my computer, which has more info on it than newegg has. but unfortunately the info above is the only identifying information available. Thanks!

 

[schw32m]

PDF manual for the ASX1200. Should have all the info you need on that system (assy/dis-assy and MB specs)

Be sure you map the pin outs for the front panel connections just to be safe.