Replacing Case Components

This guide provides information about installing replacement case components. Read this guide to learn how to:

Remove and install the left side panel

Remove and install the Gateway Mid Tower drive access door

Remove and install the right side panel

Remove and install the front bezel accent

Remove and install the front bezel

Remove and install the top panel

Remove and install the power button

Remove and install power button control panel

Remove and install the base

You must open your computer case to replace these case components. If you are not comfortable with these procedures, get help from a more experienced computer user or computer service technician.

Selecting a place to work

Work on your computer in an area that:

Is clean (avoid dusty areas)

Is a low-static environment (avoid carpeted areas)

Has a stable surface on which to set your computer

Has enough room to place all the computer parts

Is near a grounded outlet so that you can test your computer after installation

Is near a telephone (in case you need help from Gateway Technical Support). The telephone must be directly connected to a telephone jack and cannot be connected to your computer

Gathering the tools you need

Some tools and supplies that you may need to work on your computer are:

A Phillips screwdriver

A flat-head screwdriver

A T-15 TORX screwdriver

A notebook to take notes

Small containers to store various types of screws

A grounding wrist strap (available at most electronic stores)

Preventing static electricity discharge

The components inside your computer are extremely sensitive to static electricity, also known as electrostatic discharge (ESD).

Caution

ESD can permanently damage electrostatic discharge-sensitive components in the computer. Prevent ESD damage by following ESD guidelines every time you open the computer case.

Warning

To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer and unplug the power cord and modem cable before opening the case.

Before opening the computer case, follow these guidelines:

Turn off the computer power.

Wear a grounding wrist strap (available at most electronics stores) and attach it to a bare metal part of the computer.

Warning

To prevent risk of electric shock, do not insert any object into the vent holes of the power supply.

Touch a bare metal surface on the back of the computer.

Unplug the power cord and modem and network cables.

Before working with computer components, follow these guidelines:

Avoid static-causing surfaces such as carpeted floors, plastic, and packing foam.

Remove components from their antistatic bags only when you are ready to use them. Do not lay components on the outside of antistatic bags because only the inside of the bags provide electrostatic protection.

Identifying your computer case style

Use the following descriptions to identify the style of your computer case.

Gateway Tower	Gateway Mid Tower
The Gateway Tower does not have a drive access door on the front.	The Gateway Mid Tower case has a drive access door on the front that covers the drive bays and other components.

All of the procedures outlined in this guide apply to both the Gateway Tower and Gateway Mid Tower cases. Any differences between the cases are noted within a procedure.

Tips & Tricks

When cleaning the case, do not use abrasive or solvent cleaners because they can damage the finish. Use soap and water or a dilution of water and isopropyl alcohol.

Replacing the left side panel

Warning

To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer, then unplug the power cord and modem cable before opening the case.

To replace the left side panel:

Refer to your user's guide for instructions on removing and installing the left side panel.

Replacing the Gateway Mid Tower drive access door

Warning

To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer, then unplug the power cord and modem cable before opening the case.

To replace the access door:

1. Follow the instructions under "Preventing static electricity discharge".

2. Shut down your computer, then disconnect the power cord and the modem, network, and all peripheral device cables.

3. Drain any residual power from your computer by pressing the power button.

4. Remove the left side panel by following the instructions in "Replacing the left side panel"

5. Remove the drive access door pin.

6. Remove the old drive access door.

7. Position the new drive access door, then reinsert the drive access door pin.

8. Reassemble your case.

9. Reconnect the power cord and all other cables.

Replacing the right side panel

Warning

To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer, then unplug the power cord and modem cable before opening the case.

To replace the right side panel:

1. Follow the instructions under "Preventing static electricity discharge".

2. Shut down your computer, then disconnect the power cord and the modem, network, and all peripheral device cables.

3. Drain any residual power from your computer by pressing the power button.

4. Remove the access door by following the instructions in "Replacing the left side panel".

5. If you have the Gateway Mid Tower case, remove one side panel screw.

- OR -

If you have the Gateway Tower case, remove two side panel screws.

6. Pull up on the right side panel, and remove it from the case.

7. Install the new side panel.

8. Replace the side panel screw(s).

9. Reassemble your case.

10. Reconnect the power cord and all other cables.

Replacing the front bezel accent

Warning

To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer, then unplug the power cord and modem cable before opening the case.

To replace the front bezel accent:

1. Follow the instructions under "Preventing static electricity discharge".

2. Shut down your computer, then disconnect the power cord and the modem, network, and all peripheral device cables.

3. Drain any residual power from your computer by pressing the power button.

Tips & Tricks

Both the Gateway Tower and the Gateway Mid Tower cases have two upper tabs and two lower tabs on the front bezel accent.

4. Place your two index fingers into the case vent slot and under the front bezel accent. While pressing up on the two lower tabs, slowly swing the bottom of the bezel accent out and away from the case only until the two lower tabs are clear of the bezel. After the two lower tabs on the bezel accent are clear of the bezel, stop pulling outward on the bezel accent and go to the next step.

5. While pushing in on the power button, lift the bezel accent upward until the two upper tabs are clear of the bezel, then remove the bezel accent.

6. Install the new bezel accent by inserting the two upper tabs into the two bezel slots, then pushing down on the bottom of the bezel accent until the two lower tabs lock into place. The power button will pop through the power button hole in the bezel accent.

7. Reconnect the power cord and all other cables.

Replacing the front bezel

Warning

To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer, then unplug the power cord and modem cable before opening the case.

To replace the front bezel:

1. Follow the instructions under "Preventing static electricity discharge".

2. Shut down your computer, then disconnect the power cord and the modem, network, and all peripheral device cables.

3. Drain any residual power from your computer by pressing the power button.

4. Remove the left side panel by following the instructions in "Replacing the left side panel".

5. If you have the Gateway Mid Tower case, remove the drive access door by following the instructions in "Replacing the Gateway Mid Tower drive access door".

6. Remove the right side panel by following the instructions in "Replacing the right side panel".

7. Remove any 5.25-inch drives, such as CD, DVD, or recordable drives, as the drive bezel may interfere with the case bezel. For instructions on removing 5.25-inch drives, refer to your user's guide.

Tips & Tricks

There are three front bezel tabs that need to be released.

8. Release the bottom front bezel tab by squeezing it between your thumb and forefinger, then push the bottom of the front bezel away from the case until the bottom front bezel tab clears the case.

9. While squeezing the middle bezel tab, release the top bezel tab by inserting a small screwdriver into the top bezel tab access hole and pushing in on the tab until the bezel is released.

10. Swing the old front bezel outward, then remove the bezel.

11. Install the new bezel by inserting the bezel tabs into the slots on the case, then swinging the bezel closed.

12. Reassemble your case.

13. Reconnect the power cord and all other cables.

Replacing the top panel

Warning

To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer, then unplug the power cord and modem cable before opening the case.

To replace the top panel:

1. Follow the instructions under "Preventing static electricity discharge".

2. Shut down your computer, then disconnect the power cord and the modem, network, and all peripheral device cables.

3. Drain any residual power from your computer by pressing the power button.

4. Remove the left side panel by following the instructions in "Replacing the left side panel".

5. If you have the Gateway Mid Tower case, remove the drive access door by following the instructions in "Replacing the Gateway Mid Tower drive access door".

6. Remove the right side panel by following the instructions in "Replacing the right side panel".

7. Remove any 5.25-inch drives, such as CD, DVD, or recordable drives, because the drive bezel may interfere with the case bezel. For instructions on removing 5.25-inch drives, refer to your user's guide.

8. Remove the front bezel by following the instructions in "Replacing the front bezel".

9. If you have the Gateway Mid Tower case, push the top panel tab up through the access hole located underneath the top panel.

- OR -

If you have the Gateway Tower case, push up on the top panel tab by gently inserting a small flat-blade screwdriver under the top panel and slowly prying up on the top panel.

10. While pushing up on the top panel tab, slide the top panel back toward the rear of the case then remove the panel.

11. Align the two tabs at the rear of the new top panel with the two slots at the rear of the case, then slide the top panel forward until the six top panel slots lock into place.

12. Reassemble your case.

13. Reconnect the power cord and all other cables.

Replacing the power button

The power button assembly consists of three parts.

Warning

To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer, then unplug the power cord and modem cable before opening the case.

To replace the power button:

1. Follow the instructions under "Preventing static electricity discharge".

2. Shut down your computer, then disconnect the power cord and the modem, network, and all peripheral device cables.

3. Drain any residual power from your computer by pressing the power button.

4. Remove the front bezel accent by following the instructions in "Replacing the front bezel accent".

5. Remove the front bezel by following the instructions in "Replacing the front bezel".

6. Use one hand to hold the bezel and cover the front of the power button with your fingers so that the spring does not pop the power button out of the bezel.

Remove the power button cap by firmly grasping the cap's handle and lifting it away from the bezel. Lift until the cap stem begins to separate from the plunger. You may need to rock the cap stem back and forth to release it. If this does not work, put a flat head screwdriver into the slot at the bottom and gently twist. After the cap stem begins to separate, remove the power button cap from the power button plunger.

7. From the back side of the bezel, push on the back side of the power button until it comes out of the front of the bezel.

8. Place the spring onto the power button plunger, then insert the new power button into the front of the bezel.

9. Snap the power button cap onto the power button plunger on the back of the bezel.

10. Reassemble your case.

11. Reconnect the power cord and all other cables.

Replacing the power button control panel

Warning

To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer, then unplug the power cord and modem cable before opening the case.

To replace the power button control panel:

1. Follow the instructions under "Preventing static electricity discharge".

2. Shut down your computer, then disconnect the power cord and the modem, network, and all peripheral device cables.

3. Drain any residual power from your computer by pressing the power button.

4. Remove the left side panel by following the instructions in "Replacing the left side panel".

5. If you have the Gateway Mid Tower case, go to the next step.

- OR -

If you have the Gateway Tower case, go to Step 11.

6. Remove your hard drive(s). Refer to your user's guide for instructions on how to remove your hard drive(s).

7. Remove the three hard drive cage screws.

8. Remove the hard drive cage.

9. Remove the power button control panel by lifting on the raised tab, then sliding the panel toward the side of the case.

10. Go to Step 12.

11. Remove the power button control panel by lifting on the raised tab, then sliding the panel toward the bottom of the case. Remove the panel.

12. Unplug the old power button control panel cable from the system board.

13. Install the new power button control panel.

14. Reconnect the new power button control panel cable to the system board.

15. If you removed your hard drive cage, reinstall your hard drive cage.

16. If you removed your hard drive(s), reinstall your hard drive(s).

17. Reassemble your case.

18. Reconnect the power cord and all other cables.

Replacing the base

Warning

To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer, then unplug the power cord and modem cable before opening the case.

To replace the base:

1. Follow the instructions under "Preventing static electricity discharge".

2. Shut down your computer, then disconnect the power cord and the modem, network, and all peripheral device cables.

3. Drain any residual power from your computer by pressing the power button.

4. Place your computer on its side. Avoid scratching the case by placing it on a towel or other non-abrasive surface.

5. Use a T-15 TORX driver to remove the four base screws, then remove the old base.

6. Install the new base.

Warning

The base is required for proper system cooling. Do not operate your computer without the base attached.

7. Reconnect the power cord and all other cables.

© 2002 Gateway, Inc. All rights reserved. Gateway, Gateway Country, the Gateway stylized logo, and the black-and-white spot design are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gateway, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.