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Questions tagged [case]

Questions regarding enclosures for devices

Questions in this tag are about computer cases or cases of individual items used with a computer.

257 questions
162
votes
17 answers

Will it damage my MacBook if I put it in the fridge to cool it down?

I've a got longstanding problem with laptops overheating (MacBook Air/Pro) and it's not only related to one machine. The laptops are overheating especially during hot days (summer). I've found that keeping them in the fridge for half an hour makes a…
kenorb
  • 26,615
155
votes
20 answers

Why do modern computer cases still have USB 2.0 ports?

I'm currently planning the setup for a new computer. As I were browsing through computer cases I realized that most modern computer cases still have a mix of USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports on the front panel. Is there a legitimate reason to still have or use…
Brettetete
  • 2,186
147
votes
4 answers

What are the holes on the sides of a computer case frame for?

Many computer cases have these holes / cut-outs on the frame. What are they for?
VAN
  • 1,539
47
votes
14 answers

Is it safe to power on a motherboard outside of its case?

I have a new motherboard which needs a BIOS update to support a new CPU. Thankfully I have an old (compatible) CPU handy. My plan is to install the old CPU, update the BIOS, then install the new CPU. I'd prefer not to have to mount the motherboard…
misha256
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44
votes
5 answers

Does a PC have to be mounted in metal case

I have seen some projects building PCs in wooden case. I wonder how well this works with respect to grounding and EMI. A grounded metal case should work as a faraday case, and thus isolate the computer from the surroundings. Notice that the EMI…
user877329
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31
votes
9 answers

Do hard drives really have open cases now?

I'm shopping for new hard drives and all the stores (Amazon, Overstock, Newegg, etc.) now show product pictures like this: I can find no information in the product descriptions or in Google searches stating that this is just another marketing…
Brock Adams
  • 2,200
30
votes
13 answers

How do I clean dust from a computer?

As computers become faster and generate more heat it gets more important to have good ventilation, but that also increases the amount of dust sticking to the components of the computer. It's of course better to make sure the computer never gets…
Jonas
  • 1,101
21
votes
5 answers

How can I remove the smell of cigarettes from my computer?

I'm a smoker, and of course I smoke in front of the computer when I'm at home. Last Friday I moved out from my mother's house to my own, and since the computers were always turned on and the room was one where everybody could smoke, the smell didn't…
Tio
  • 351
16
votes
4 answers

What is the safe temperature limit for a consumer SATA hard drive?

Background My personal desktop system at home has 5 SATA drives racked up inside. Recently my system started failing in odd ways like random kernel panics and I eventually traced it to random degrades on the RAID array. Sometimes I could boot, other…
Caleb
  • 6,129
14
votes
6 answers

Fitting a Motherboard into a Computer Case

I'm interested in building my own computer. I saw a motherboard and CPU that I want to buy from Tiger Direct. My question is has to do with computer cases and motherboards. Are all motherboards one size? i.e. 15" x 15" If they're not, can any…
coson
  • 263
14
votes
4 answers

2.5" SSD in a 3.5" desktop drive bay normal?

I'm a little out of touch with modern desktop builds, but I recently built a new machine anyway. I want to pick up a SSD for my I/O intensive apps (EverQuest 2 and Flash CS4 mostly), but I'm having trouble finding any in the 3.5" form factor. Is…
Cory Petosky
  • 272
13
votes
7 answers

Optimal Fan Placement and Direction for Air-Cooling a Computer

My current computer has always run unusually hot no matter what steps I have taken such as: lots of fans—including four 120mms; thermal grease—both generic and Arctic Silver V; placement of the system—ie on top of a desk hutch in open air; etc. My…
Synetech
  • 69,547
13
votes
4 answers

should case fans blow air into or out of the case

Well there's not really much more to ask than the title, so which way should fans blow?
Jonathan.
  • 2,674
12
votes
2 answers

Computer bumpers/feet have fallen off of my Razer Blade 14. How do I fix it?

The bottom of my computer (Razer Blade 14) has these small rubber bumpers. Today the back one fell off. If someone could tell me a way to fix it or point me in that direction it would be great.
user3600107
  • 253
12
votes
2 answers

Case sensitive file extensions in Windows and Linux

In linux you can have the files example.JPG and example.jpg in the same directory. In Windows you have case sensitive extensions, but you can't put these two files in the same directory. Why not?
wvdz
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