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Will cases with front USB port support USB 3.0?

If a computer case has a USB port in the front, will it support USB 3.0 if my motherboard supports it? Or does the case vendor need to specifically mention USB 3 support? (BTW, I haven't seen such case yet.)

Getting new computer case. How to remove COA label

I am getting a new Case for my custom build but I already put the COA sticker on the side of my old case. Does anyone have any recommendations how to remove it without destroying it?

I thought about this possibility when I was putting the sticker on but decided that I would take the risk. Does anyone have any suggestions how they deal with this situation?

Front I/O ports on the front of a case

I have seen so many cases with front usb ports etc, but obviously they couldn't fit every motherboard, so I was wondering how they connect, do they come with a plug that connects to a sata port or pci express or something, my question is just: how do those front i/o ports connect and interact with the computer

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 in a case just to do the BIOS update bit.

Is it safe to power up the motherboard outside of its case? My understanding is that the case provides grounding for the motherboard – could the lack of grounding be an issue?

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 dramatic difference in their performance. However I am afraid of the side effects and that the laptop may stop working, because of water coming into the internal parts of the laptop.

How safe is it to keep a laptop in the fridge?

Does keeping it in a laptop sleeve case or in a plastic bag protect the laptop enough? Do the temperature and time also matter (like half an hour is the optimal time)? Or is it a bad idea at all and can it damage the laptop very quickly (assuming it's in Sleep mode, so it's basically turned off)?

Why are there so few computer cases that put the PSU at the front? [closed]

I am going to buy a new computer but I am having difficulty choosing the right case.

It will be put in a place similar to this one:

where the back is closed, making the PSU not suitable to be placed at the back (in my opinion).

To avoid overheat, I think the air flow should be like this:

Is there any case designed like this? (I want a mid tower or full tower rather than mini towers)

Thanks in advance.

Powered Screwdriver for Computer Work

Does anyone know of a small, high-speed power screwdriver with really low torque (hand tight) for use on computer chassis?

I screw in and unscrew screws on computer cases all day long and I'm getting tired of using a hand-held screwdriver.

I want something that's relatively small, uses some common batteries (AA, AAA), has higher speed than I can do by hand, with a clutch that stops tightening when the screw is about hand tight

Someone has to make this...

ESD considerations of an open-air/wood and plexiglas case

I am going to build a computer soon, and instead of buying a pre-built case I am planning to build my own case; either closed and built with wood and plexiglas, or open and built with just wood.

My question is, would either of those materials or an open-air case be unsafe for the components as far as ESD?

EDIT: found something similar to what I'm thinking (except this isn't made of wood):
http://compare.ebay.com/like/251030376877?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

Can't control case fan speeds

I a new case fan that is plugged directly in to the Mobo in "System Fan 2". I want to be able to control the RPMs of the fan. I have enabled system fan control in the bios. I am using SpeedFan. I am changing the % of Speed03 (Which is the only one that shows the RPMs since its the only one connected to the board) However nothing happens. Are there some setting in SpeedFan I need to set? Where do you think the problem lays?

The Case fan is XIGMATEK XLF-F1253 The Mobo is Gigabyte MA770-UD3 Rev1

Let me know your opinion. Thanks!

Is an SECC cabinet better than an aluminium one? [closed]

1. I'm shopping for a cabinet online
2. Description of the material used in the cabinet varies from Steel, Aluminium Alloy to Acrylic
3. My options are narrowed down to either Steel (SECC?), or Aluminium
4. From what I see in the provided images the interior of a steel cabinet looks like galvanized tin ... with lots of sharp edges to boot.

In order

a. Is an SECC cabinet(case/enclosure) better than an aluminium one, or vice-versa?

b. Which of the two is more sturdy? (i've heard reports from colleagues that the SECC cabinets being flimsy ... so i'm prejudiced there)

EDIT: I finally went with Antec Sonata Proto MT

What is the name for a computer case that exposes the motherboard when opening?

I'm looking for a PC case that is functioning like old Macintosh cases.

This is the case of a Power Macintosh G3 B&W. Notice it has a hinged door that opens downwards and has the motherboard on the case door.

I don't need a case that "looks like" a Mac, but want a case that, when opening its side panel, exposes the motherboard, with the memory, CPU and all cards mounted on it. That makes them more easily accessible.

Inside the "fixed part" of the case, there are HDD, CD, power supply and so on.

Do such cases exist for PCs in ATX format? If so, what are they called, so I can look for them online?

I found a zillion "Mac-like cases" which "look like" a Mac – but the board is screwed inside like in standard PC cases.

New build not powering up at all after connecting psu cables to hard drive

I recently decided to build myself a new, cheap(ish) rig mainly for HTPC use and I have now run into a BIG problem.

The system simply refuses to show any signs of life.

Problem:

When I press the power-button on the case the power-switch LED light turns on briefly and the PSU fan manages nudge maybe half an inch and then nothing happens. No POST, no UEFI, no nothing. This problem has existed from the very beginning so the setup hasn't yet been in a working state.

Actions so far:

At first I suspected the PSU was the culprit but I tested the setup with the PSU from my gaming rig with the exact same results so that wasn't it.

My suspicions then turned to the motherboard so I then breadboarded my way through every combination of components imaginable with whom the system should at least start up and POST. Once again, no luck. I also tried a CMOS reset with no luck. After this I decided to RMA the mobo. I finally got a new mobo and this is where things get interesting.

I breadboarded my way upwards from only the CPU, one stick of RAM connected and front panel USB2 and audio connectors connected and this, as expected, worked. UEFI started up without a hitch and everything seemed to be working fine. Both sticks of RAM connected worked as well. I then proceeded to connect the HDD to the SATA connector and the USB3 front panel connector. At first I forgot to connect the power cable to the HDD but the system still started into UEFI with no problems. At this point it's also worth noting that both PSUs worked equally well at this point. I then proceeded to connect the HDD power cable, the SATA and power cable for the DVD-drive and front panel fan.

After that, everything died on me again. The PSU fan occasionally tries to spin and the power switch LED reacts when pushed in the front panel but once again, no POST, no UEFI, no nothing. Once again, the results are the same with both PSUs.

I have once again tested the build both inside and outside the case with all combinations of components imaginable with no luck at all. The CPU and socket pins are also ok together with the cooler and thermal paste. I have also tried to jump-start the motherboard from the motherboard connectors with no luck. The system stays dead. The mobo has no LEDs on it so troubleshooting this way is not an option in this case. I have, at least in my own opinion, also ruled out any visible risks for shorts inside the case. I tried during the weekend to isolate the mobo from the case standoffs with rubber o-rings but, again, no luck.

Is there anything more I can do at this point or should I just get myself a new mobo at this point?

The setup is as follows:

• AsRock H77M-ITX
• i3-3225 with Phanteks PH-TC90LS cooler
• Kingston HyperX Genesis 2x4GB
• WD Caviar Green 500GB
• Corsair CX430W
• Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced
• Phanteks PH-TC90LS
• Some ASUS DVD/RW drive

Any suggestions and ideas would be very much appreciated at this point as I'm slowly starting to lose my sanity with this one!

E: Yes, I have checked and checked again the CPU power connector and it's the right one, believe me.

And I have also plugged and unplugged the drive(s) several times after the build decided to go dark on me the second time. As I mentioned, I have breadboarded my way through all combinations of components I could think of that should, in normal circumstances, at least boot into UEFI. This both inside and outside the case.

I have been through my fair share of computer building in my life but I have not come across anything like this before so i'm completely puzzled by this at this point

Repeated Static Shock From New Rack Server

I recently bought a single rack server, but I often get shocked when I touch the full-metal case. It seems to take 20-30 minutes to "charge" between shocks, but I'm not enthusiastic about testing that statistic further. It's connected to a properly grounded surge protector and no other objects touch it besides the wooden desk it lays on, which in turn stands on a tile floor. I assume the shock is static as I can safely touch the case after each shock. If I'm in relatively consistent contact with the case, no static charge builds. Only when it sits idle for an extended period of time do I experience these shocks. Put simply:

1. Metal case causes regular static shocks when left untouched long enough
2. Power Setup: server → surge protector → grounded wall outlet (indicated by the surge protector)

I know nothing about electricity, so can someone please explain possible sources of this static and potential fixes? Might my surge protector or house wiring be faulty, or is this an unavoidable feature, however unlikely? Thank you for reading.

Front USB Port Grounding Issues

I think I have a static electricity problem.

I have two computers in my house and a fiancé that wears fuzzy socks. Sometimes, when she plugs in USB devices into the front ports of her desktop computer (or my computer), the computer will instantly lock up. Often the LCD will go a solid green or purple color after this happens.

She noticed this occurs most often after walking across the carpets, so I am confident that the front USB ports on both of our computers are not properly grounded. I checked USB port connections to the motherboard and the ground wire is mapped properly on all computers.

Is there anything I can do to add extra/proper grounding to the front USB ports on a computer? I am afraid that she is going plug in her iPod one day and poof, her entire motherboard will be fried.

Should I connect my case fan to a pwr_fan or chassis_fan header?

My ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 motherboard has the following fans:

• 2 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (1 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin)
• 2 x Power Fan connector(s) (3-pin)

The fan cable connector has three pins (and it already has molex attached to it).

What I know until now is that (correct me, if I am wrong):

• The connector (with molex) can be connected to power-supply
• The connector (without molex) can be connected to motherboard (if it supports) to regulate the fan (without having the fan to be on all the time)

What should I connect my case fan to, if I want to connect it to the motherboard? Please note that this is my first build.