is Gateway propietary?

[redss]

I have a Gateway computer Pentium 2/266.

I like the case, and I'd like to scrap the motherboard, but how can I tell if a non-proprietary motherboard will fit in the case? ie. do all Gateways have proprietary cases or do some have standard ATX cases?

 

[o1die]

Look for a special connector on the motherboard. It's used for the led's, reset, and power switch, etc. Also, check the ports on the back of the case. You can easily compare them to photos in boards listed at newegg and other venders. Your Gateway case may have a removable section for the custom backplates that come with most new boards. If you can use a backplate, then it's possible to rewire the main leads using a splicer and inexpensive components from places like radio shack. Before you do, checkout the power supply. If it's less than 300 watts, I would just replace the case. You can get a case for not much more than a new power supply.

 

[Black_Cat]

You couldn't possibly like that case that much. I've done what you're trying to do twice. Once with an ATX once with a micro ATX. An old case like yours probably has only a 250W or less PSU with no 12V aux connector. In all probability you won't be able to mount the backing plate. Also the wires for the on/off, reset buttons, and lights may not reach if you replace the board. Furthermore, the connector is probably one piece. I had some old AT cases laying around so I borrowed some wires and lights that were long enough to reach and I was able to reconfigure it. If I were you, I would just get a new case.

You've tried and failed. The lesson here is, never try again. -- Homer Simpson.

 

[redss]

I should clarify... I have another motherboard with P2/448 that I want to put into this case. The gateway 266 case has a 200W pwr supply which I like because its very quiet but the pwr supply in the other computer is very loud. I think if I buy a new case, I'd have to trash its the power supply and buy a quiet one, because most stock power supplies are too loud for me for what I'm used to. I wonder if 200W is enough for a P2/448 (actually its a 400 MHz with the bus speed tweaked up to 112 MHz instead of 100) Does that qualify as to be called overclocked?

 

[Black_Cat]

You might be okay putting that mean overclocker in there with that 200W PSU. Abit BH or BX-6?

You've tried and failed. The lesson here is, never try again. -- Homer Simpson.

 

[Crashman]

Most Gateway boards are standard form factors: ATX, Micro ATX, and Flex ATX. A case that old might not use the one-piece front panel connector, but if it does you can pull the tangs out of the black plastic (look for the little latches) and put them in new ones (from another case).

Gateway does not usually use a removable backplate, however most cases of that erra had a standard port configuration, with a white sticker (label) covering the unused holes.

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