[ The PC Guide | Troubleshooting and Repair Guide | The Troubleshooting Expert | Troubleshooting Specific Components | Troubleshooting the System Case | Assembly or Physical Issues ]

I am missing an insert to cover an open expansion drive bay or slot bay

Explanation: There is a space in the case because there is an insert missing that should be covering an expansion slot, or a faceplate missing from a drive bay.

Diagnosis: The hole created in the case by the missing insert could make cooling on the inside of the case worse.

Recommendation:

• Get a replacement insert to cover the hole. The inserts for expansion cards are unchanged since the first IBM PC in 1981; steal one or two from an old "junkyard" PC, to have as spares in case you need them in the future. Drive bay faceplates are similarly easy to come by.
• Ask a local PC vendor if they would be willing to spare you what you need; most shops that put together a lot of PCs have more of these than they know what to do with.
• Use tape. Ugly, but it will do the job.

Home  -  Search  -  Topics  -  Up