Need Side Panel Removed On Computer

[Concorde]

Ok, I am training in my spare time to pass the A+ certification exams, so I gladly help out my family and friends with their computer issues for free. This is going to make some of you laugh but this is really starting to annoy me. One of my close friends ask me if I can look at her mom's computer. She can't use it because it's so slow. Trying to take it back to the place where she bought it from 4-5 years ago for assistance is useless as he is to "busy" to help her.

So here I am with a computer that just needs alittle TLC. The first thing I want to do is clean out the inside from all of the accumulated dust, but I have one tiny problem. I can't seem to slide the side access door open. I have been trying for about two hours and I swear the last guy who was inside it placed loc-tite on the inside cover to prevent other techs from working on it.

It's a Compaq Presario SBW250 with the latch on the back that needs to be pressed down at the same time as you pull out on the cover. Doing so should let the cover slide out most of the time. Is there anything I can do besides getting another friend with more muscles then me to try and get it open? The latch appears to be functioning properly.

Thanks for your guys' help and don't be laughing to hard.

[yabbadabbadont]

Double check and make sure that there isn't at least one screw holding it on. Even the cases with the quick release latches generally have screws too.

[Concorde]

One screw was on top (when I first started on it) so that was taken out. I can't figure out why it's not coming. Thanks for the suggestion yabbadabbadont.

[yabbadabbadont]

With those compaq's, you might have to remove the plastic front panel too. I seem to remember fighting a similar case in a lab at work many years ago. :?

[Concorde]

Following what the manual saids and the only way to remove the front cover is internally.

[yabbadabbadont]

You might try having one person hold the catch release open while the other pulls... I hate cases like that. The old NCR full tower microchannel machine cases were like that. You had to release a catch in the back. Slide the case all the way forward on rails. Then inside the track of each rail, you had to push down a plastic catch in one rail, while lifting up the catch in the other rail, and slide the case the rest of the way off. It could be done by one person, but just barely. :roll:

[Concorde]

yeah, I'm going to try that tomorrow. Thanks for your help yabbadabbadont

[smoker]

hi, don't be embarrassed about taking a cover off, i work with the bloody things (pc's) and often the longest part of the job is getting the cover off!;)

this may or may not be a link that will help:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph07139&lc=en&cc=uk&dlc=en&product=93699&lang=en

there is a further link on that page to hp support where you may get more info

best of luck

[Concorde]

Thanks Smoker, I downloaded the manual before I started. I always read up on the documentation prior for any job that I do. The computer has been sitting around for two years so I am sure it is just being stubborn. Will try again tomorrow when I get home from work. I just want to get up cleaned up for her and install more memory once that comes in the first part of next week.

I enjoy helping people out.
Nothing better than hearing how much a person enjoys their computer since I returned it to them.

[kamaboko]

You're gonna have to muscle that thing open. I've done a ton of them.

[Concorde]

My Wife and I were able to get it open. She used a flat head screwdriver on the front of the side panel to move it back towards the rear. Came off like a breeze once she did that.

My Wife was able to get it off. She wanted me to be sure that I told everyone that she was the one that was able to get it off.

Concorde

[zapjb]

Sounds like a great woman.

[smoker]

My Wife was able to get it off. She wanted me to be sure that I told everyone that she was the one that was able to get it off.

Hmm, what is it they say: 'behind every great man is a great woman,':D