Trouble penetrating my computer's insides...

Name of Computer: HP Media Center PC 873n.
I was thinking of making some internal upgrades inside my PC but I can't get the unit open.

The red circles indicate some of the metal "screws" I can't get off.

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/1484/computer2cb.jpg
They just have ...Is there some special tool for this job? Or do all non custom computers sold like this?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

you have to remove the side pannel, you can't remove the back i'm pretty sure

There's nowhere I can't reach.

You have removable side panels. See those giant screws on the sides? Thumb screws. Just grab them and twist them off. Do this on the side farthest from the keyboard connection .

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Those are RIVETS. They don't come off. Ever. Unless you drill them out and destroy them, which I don't reccomend if you intend to keep using that case. Open the Side Panel.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Well here it is. This is the first time I've opened this thing, and I got it 3 years back. So much dust...Any tips on cleaning this thing? Eh, everything looks so fragile

Here a full shot of it. It looks like the Processor is enclosed in that white container.


I was speaking idiomatically.

ummm, what ever you try don't blow compressed air into there, a friend of my dads tried that once and fried his fan, and don't go reaching into your computer with out grounding yourself you could harm your computer if you don't. I have never had to clean my PC so I don't know the proper way

Most amazing jew boots

First off, before working on anything, unplug the computer (after shutting it off, of course.).

Second, NEVER USE A VACCUUM. Get a can of compressed air (ignore the previous poster).

And it helps to remove components (like the video card, sound card, etc) and wipe them with a dry rag too. Just DO NOT REMOVE THE CPU (aka processor). And remember where everything goes.

FELIPE NO

Quote:

Second, NEVER USE A VACCUUM. Get a can of compressed air (ignore the previous poster).

sorry about that, ignore me then just don't continuously blow air into your fans to make them spin as fast as they can and you should be fine I guess

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Still having problems with this.. Imagesocket ftw for accepting these HUEG images. Questions displayed in green.
----------
Not sure how to remove the heatsink off the this (the processor?), I tried pushing/pulling the handles, nothing would budge. Should I be taking this off?(I remember reading somewhere that something is applied to the cpu when placing the heatsink on)

-----------
So looking at the mobo I could Identify 1 AGP Slot, and 3 PCI slots. Not sure what that black square with Intel is at the bottom right or the green object in the center.

-----------
Here are the internal bay slots, from top to bottom; hard drive, 4 in 1 combo smartmedia-MMC/SD-Compact Flash I/II-memory stick, Floppy drive.

-----------
This is the 200w power supply unit, the tag on it says BST ATX.(same as micro atx?)

-----------
Should I be even trying to take this off, I can't get to the other side of the comp to unscrew the other harddrive screw + last mobo screw.

-----------
Is this familiar to anyone? When I tried booting the comp it showed the mass 99s on my screen not therefore not booting the os, and it was unable to recognize my fan connection. Had it fixed by reconnecting the cmos, reinstalling the bootloader with linux(It is a dual boot Windows-Linux), and switching the fan to another connection on the motherboard. Probably static damage I guess.


Jam it back in, in the dark.

WTF are you doing?

You shouldn't remove the heatsink unless you plan to put new thermal grease on it. As a result, if that grease (or pad) is dried up, your processor won't get the cooling it needs and may overheat easily. I hope you put the heatsink back on if you took it off.

That black square that says Intel on it is your southbridge. It handles things like your PCI slots, keyboard, mouse, sound etc.

The power supply... micro ATX has nothing to do with a power supply. That seems to be just a serial number or identifier that means nothing to you and me. Your power supply is made for ATX and all it's variants. (ie mATX etc)

I also wouldn't bother removing the other side of your case unless you plan to remove or change the placement of your hard drives/CDROMs. It's only possible to remove them by doing so because there are other screws underneath that back plate.

And finally, I have NEVER seen a screen like that. I did a Google and it says that 99 = "Check for smart drive." That's pretty damn vague to me. Possibly the master boot record of the drive was wiped... I dunno.

I hope you learned something.

There's nowhere I can't reach.