Compaq Presario 7470

Actually I was unable to find a user manual for download, but here is a link to adding a hard drive which includes opening the case. Of course, they also say this procedure may not be the same for all systems.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&lang=en&cc=us&product=94486&dlc=en&docname=c00006864

this link shows you how to remove the case.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&lang=en&cc=us&product=94486&dlc=en&docname=c00006864

I had a totally embarassing moment in front of my parents, who finally took the plunge and asked me to get them a computer.

Despite the fact that I have been using PCs even before the IBM PC, that I have assembled them from scratch and despite the fact that I made a living for years repairing PCs, I couldn't crack their small form factor Compaq EVO open to install the modem. It had two push buttons on the side. I pushed them in and tugged with all my considerable strength. I took a flat head and pried the part of the case that was supposed to slide. I scratched my head.

Finally I sent my dad to the basement to find a screwdriver to dissasemble the back panel. It was at that point that it magically came apart.

Since the early 286 days, most compaqs have had a sliding mechanism - they have little catches that require you to slide it over an inch or so, then it will be free of the catches and easily slide off. Its counter intuitive but you actually have to push down before it will slide.

James

If its a desktop case, not a tower, then I would bet dollars to doughnuts that the top and sides slide off as one piece - that what I was inelegantly referring to before. Like I said, after you have undone any screws in the back that may connect it to the rest of the case, try pushing down and back. Though in the case of the EVO for my parents, the front of the case came too, and I had to push down and forward, while at the same time pushing in the two buttons on the side.

Do you have a picture that we can view - if you go to the compaq website can you find the equivalent?

James

See if there's a way to pop off the front face plate.

Some of the Compaq cases are made single piece.

and you remove the front faceplate to get started.

At least, that's what I gathered from the couple of commentaries I've seen.

Impossible to be all one piece, unless they made it like a ship in the bottle. Something has to separate. There must be something, a screw to loosen somewhere. The only one I know who use to use totally tooless cases was Apple, and they gave that up.

James

You must take the front plastic cover off first (it just snaps off),
at which point the remaining case screws are exposed.

Hey, I said exposed.

Look for a "button" on each side. They press in and then the whole thing pivots up using the front as a hinge.

Believe it or not, some Compaqs are actually WELDED SHUT!

Whether or not yours is one of those, I cannot say.

I am not familiar with your particular model but have opened many different Compaq models. Most open one of two ways, the most common being type A as bellow.

A. What looks like a normal slot screw on the back, sometimes two of them, is really a latch that turns 90 degrees to lock the case, then the sides are secured by either push button latches or screws and the case slides off towards the front.

B. A couple of screws and some pop in clips hold the front face on. When this is removed their are three or four screws that are undone and the guts of the computer slides out the back.

Compaq sure don't want anyone but their techs looking at their hardware. I figure they are frightened that people will see what shit they actually sell. Had a client with an old Compaq that the Compaq people said would not accept any RAM or HDD upgrades and could not run Win 98. Surprise I put in a bigger HDD, doubled the RAM, reflashed the BIOS and loaded Win 98. Would have replaced the Pentium CPU with a faster one except they did not use a socket 7 socket - had it soldered in. Anyway, hope the above helps, look for the screw like locking latches.

Ok, I think this is the same machine that a colleague just fought with. I am not certain however that it is the same. The name sounds familiar.

Aparently, there was a screw or two to remove in back and two release mechanisms on the side. He told me it took two people to get the case off. One to hold the release buttons and one to pull the machine out of the case.

Oh, and he mentioned some sort of internal lock that he had to change the setting internally. If I see him, I will ask for specifics.

She wants to get the thing off. hee hee heeeee!

So much for knowing about experience.....

So, did you get this pig open or not?

If so, how?

Okay - Here's how you do it

Look at these pictures:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51116&item=5188495596&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

(Gotta' love ebay)

By looking at the back, we can surmise that it's not attached there.

By looking at the side, and the way the drives stick out, we can surmise that the front is removed separately from the side case.

So I would imagine that under the front panel of the case is a slight opening, into which you can put your hand, and perhaps with a little "tug" the front panel will simply pop off, perhaps hinging at the top. Once the front panel is removed, you'll probably notice where the side panels, which will really be one molded piece, wrap around the front, and is fastened by 4-6 screws, 2 or 3 on each side. Remove the screws, and the sides/top cover will slide backwards a few inches, and could then simply be lifted away.

Okay - Here's how you do it

Look at these pictures:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51116&item=5188495596&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

(Gotta' love ebay)

By looking at the back, we can surmise that it's not attached there.

By looking at the side, and the way the drives stick out, we can surmise that the front is removed separately from the side case.

So I would imagine that under the front panel of the case is a slight opening, into which you can put your hand, and perhaps with a little "tug" the front panel will simply pop off, perhaps hinging at the top. Once the front panel is removed, you'll probably notice where the side panels, which will really be one molded piece, wrap around the front, and is fastened by 4-6 screws, 2 or 3 on each side. Remove the screws, and the sides/top cover will slide backwards a few inches, and could then simply be lifted away.

There are either 1 or 3 (best I remember) screws on back of PC. Single screw is on top middle. 3 screws would be on top middle with 2 on bottom corners.

Remove screw(s), grab handle piece sticking out of back and pull. The entire interior assembly slides out to the rear. Sometimes it is difficult to pull out. Have found it easiest to stand PC on front bezel and lift upwards. Tends to release better if weight is off bottom slides.

Dalton

This question was closed by the author

There are 3 screws on rear of tower, one on bottom center and one on each side at the top. Remove these screws, then grasp the PCI slot lockdown cover with one hand, hold the top with other and and pull the outer case forward. Thats it!