Turning an old Compaq into a new mod?

[SinCrisis]

Hi all,

This is my first time on this forum, i was wondering if anyone could help me locate drive brackets for an old computer? I have an old compaq that hasnt been used in forever. It has 2 5.25 bays, 1 floppy bay, and 2 3.25 bays. I am missing drive brackets for the two 5.25 bays and 1 3.25 bay. Ive tried to newegg and ebay and google these pieces but nothing seems to come up. Does anyone know where i can find these parts?

[Airbozo]

Welcome to TBCS!

Post up a picture if you have one or a model number of the computer.

The place I go for spare drive brackets is really close to me and it is called Weird Stuff Warehouse (http://www.weirdstuff.com/). They have a couple of bins full of various drive sleds and brackets...

[SinCrisis]

the computer is an old presario S5200CL. I will post pictures when i get home and charge my camera. Thanks

[SinCrisis]

http://g.imagehost.org/t/0336/IMG_0109.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0336/IMG_0109)
http://g.imagehost.org/t/0245/IMG_0110.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0245/IMG_0110)
http://g.imagehost.org/t/0095/IMG_0111.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0095/IMG_0111)

The last picture is of the one remaining 3.5 bracket that i have

Thanks for the link Airbozo, the store has replacement parts for compaqs but they dont have any drive sleds. I was told by a friend that the drive sled/bracket thing is probably proprietary and i probably wont be able to get another.

[Airbozo]

http://g.imagehost.org/t/0336/IMG_0109.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0336/IMG_0109)
http://g.imagehost.org/t/0245/IMG_0110.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0245/IMG_0110)
http://g.imagehost.org/t/0095/IMG_0111.jpg (http://g.imagehost.org/view/0095/IMG_0111)

The last picture is of the one remaining 3.5 bracket that i have

Thanks for the link Airbozo, the store has replacement parts for compaqs but they dont have any drive sleds. I was told by a friend that the drive sled/bracket thing is probably proprietary and i probably wont be able to get another.

Even though they don't list any sleds, they probably have some in the bins.

If you could post up a couple of detailed photos, I can go over there and take a peek for you. I am headed there next week looking for some odd pieces to use in my Bubble gum machine mod. Hell I even have some old Compaq's sitting in our warehouse and I will go look to see if they have the sleds in them.

EDIT: Just a shot of the front would help...

[SinCrisis]

upon further inspection, im beginning to think i can mount the drives using special compaq screws? I ordered a pack of those and if it works then im good. I guess i need to wait a couple of days?

Also i am supernoob when it comes to modding, ive only built my own rig once, and that required no modding, just installing. I want to paint this case black, would common spray paint work?

[knowledgegranted]

Welcome to TBCS!

Post up a picture if you have one or a model number of the computer.

The place I go for spare drive brackets is really close to me and it is called Weird Stuff Warehouse (http://www.weirdstuff.com/). They have a couple of bins full of various drive sleds and brackets...


\Sorry to go off topic

This site is awesome!! I can buy P3 motherboards for my cluster extremely cheap!

[nevermind1534]

\Sorry to go off topic

This site is awesome!! I can buy P3 motherboards for my cluster extremely cheap!

That Tyan Thunder looks interesting. That might be the one to buy. I'm thinking of ordering some now. If you need any socket 370 CPUs, you know where to get them (me).

[SinCrisis]

O.o as for paint... can anyone help me on that? I googled for it but im reading that i need primer among other equipment to paint a case?

[Airbozo]

O.o as for paint... can anyone help me on that? I googled for it but im reading that i need primer among other equipment to paint a case?

I'm not a master at painting cases, but if the current finish is ok, you can just sand it down a little to remove the gloss and paint right over it with a rattle can.

[SinCrisis]

there really isnt a gloss its more of a matte finish. The insides are the standard gray color and not really glossy either. Spray paint should work right?

[Airbozo]

Yes (that's what a rattle can is...).

I would just go over the whole thing with some light sanding to get rid of any finish and then clean every part you want to paint. I have used tsp before and one case I just used dawn, then rinsed real good, let it dry and took a spray can to. As far as I know it still looks god with no peeling or blemishes (believe me they would let me know asap...).

Look in the tips and tricks section for more on painting. Unless you want a show car finish, there is no need to do multiple coats with wet/dry sanding in between. If you want a nice finish, do one coat, let it dry for a couple of days, then do a light sanding (wet or dry), clean off the dust and coat it again.

[SinCrisis]

very nice thanks. I don't really know where im going with this case it was a kinda impromptu "lets mod this thing" moment, so sry if im not too knowledgeable about all the terms and techniques. I'm slowly reading up on some tutorials and such. >.< This is gonna be a long project i think.