taking off the top panel of the antec 1030b???

[dertyboy]

how and the world do u take off the top panel....... it doesnt have regular screw in it, it has these cirlce kinda screw on both sides with a hole in the middle for some tool which i have no clue of wut it is HELP anyone with a antec 1030b case plz tell me how to take off the top panel so i can mod it ty.

[FreakyOCR]

Do you have a picture of the screw? I might be able to help you then as I do not have one of those cases...

[MDS]

sounds like rivits, normily I'd drill the head off one side but don't do this with hardware installed in the case as the posible shavings on a mobo would = bad news

[Xeroid]

Sounds like a TORX screw. Is the hole in the middle star shapped? If it's a torx screw you could pick up a screwdriver for it at Sears. They come in different sizes so be careful or you'll end up bringing the wrong size home. You might look for a driver which has different size bits that can be inserted into the shaft of the driver, they usually come with flathead and phillips bits too. That would be a nice addition to your tool bag.

Mike

EDIT: I took a look at Newegg.com at some pictures and MDS may be correct. If they are rivets they will have to be drilled and later replaced with a screw.

[JimG]

Seeing as I own this case, I can tell you exactly what they are. They're rivets. Ya need a drill, a good bit (1/8" works good). Drill the 6 out (3 in front and 3 in the back). Then look at the frame for the 5.25" drive bays. At the top, on each side is a single rivet. Drill those 2 out as well. Now the top comes off.
To replace, you'll need a rivet gun and some 1/8" diameter rivets. Hope this helps.

[VERT]

Just pick up whats called a "Security Screwdriver set", this will contain an assortment of oddly shaped screwdriver heads that you will find will fit your antec 1030b and many other computer parts

[Xeroid]

I don't think I would replace the rivets, what if you wanted to take it back off later? I would use some sheet metal screws instead. Just my humble opinion.

Mike

[Solid Snake]

Yes, it is a rivet, you can't remove it. When I painted mine, I had to tape off the rest of the case.

[dertyboy]

nooooooooooo i wanted to mod my top panel guess ill have to take everything out and jig saw it ^^ without anything in it seems the easiest way to me

[FreakyOCR]

Just drill the rivets out!! Like it was stated earlier!

We do it all the time in the automotive glass industry.. heck some cars have mouldings that are riveted on! Sometimes door glass is riveted as well... Well drill them out and replace them all the time... (not a good idea to use sheet metal screws when you're dealing with glass lol)

[JimG]

Yeah, I don't see what the big deal is. As long as you have the right tools, riveting is very easy. Sheet metal screws might interfere with the proper alignment of the front cover. Takes 5 minutes to drill them out properly, and maybe another 5 to reinstall them.

oh yeah, Freaky, sheet metal screws are definitely not good near glass ... cracked the windshield on my 1984 Bronco II because of some sheet metal trim screw. Nice $200 mistake.

[Ritalin Kid]

No if you want to use a jig saw on the top of your case do what I did..

Cover the top completely with 2 layers of masking tape and then draw your window or hole... then drill out a place to start the saw and the cut.. mine turned out perfect no scratches.. masking tap does a really good job of protecting the paint and case from getting scratched..