[thisis1984]

OK so I'm learning that google is next to useless when trying to search for AT form factor computer cases.

I know that they exist here is a picture:
The article I pulled this from the guy is building an AT clone. (very old magazine article)

SO...
Does anyone here know where I could get a flip open AT case? It would be very very convenient as I intend to be doing a lot of part swapping on a regular basis on the rig I'm going to be putting together. Does anyone have such a case or have seen them?

[Tripredacus]

Here's the article you mention:
http://www.atarimaga...YOUR_OWN_AT.php

It specifically refers to this picture as "A 'baby' AT case with a flip-open top"

[thisis1984]

Yes that is what I am referring to. I am wanting to put together an old dos gaming machine but am having great difficulty finding a case that I like. The motherboard I'm using is indeed baby AT. Maybe I should have specified that. I'm wondering if anyone older than I am remembers cases like this or would have a case similar with a flip open top that would make part swapping and tinkering much easier. I would hate to spend near 70 or 80 dollars on a new AT desktop case that would prove to be a nightmare to deal with. I remember the cases that have one solid steel piece for a cover with multiple screws on the back. I have a few ATX case like that. They are not fun to deal with.

[jaclaz]

thisis1984, on 27 February 2013 - 06:48 PM, said:

OK so I'm learning that google is next to useless when trying to search for AT form factor computer cases.

Maybe it's not google, but a pebcak
Would this do?
http://www.amazon.co...W/dp/B000T4MRF8

jaclaz

[bonestonne]

What you should look for is ATX Desktop case.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811121010

While that's not exactly what you're looking for, it's close, and something you would be able to modify in order to be closer to what you're looking for. Searching for any Desktop style case will give you something to start with that's more easily modified than building your own.

[thisis1984]

Ok sorry never mind. I was under the impression that there were vintage hobbyists on this forum. Someone who collects antique computer parts, who remembers cases like this and might still have one laying arround. I'm not interested in atx cases, I have plenty of those. I'm looking for a genuine antique that would be ideal for the vintage nature of the build, a genuine late 80's beige AT desktop case like the one shown in the picture. Pebcak? Really? I inquire about a specific type of AT case and you show me a generic ATX I could pick up anywhere? That would look very cute with a few beige 5.25" floppy drives in it.

[Tripredacus]

I searched for quite some time. I had no problem finding AT cases, but no real luck finding any with a lid like that. I did find some XT cases tho.

[bphlpt]

There is the possibility that it is not actually a flip top case at all, but rather just slid back to unlatch it then raised up and leaned against the wall. Why they would picture it that way I don't know, but it's possible.

Cheers and Regards

[Tripredacus]

bphlpt, on 01 March 2013 - 12:17 PM, said:

There is the possibility that it is not actually a flip top case at all, but rather just slid back to unlatch it then raised up and leaned against the wall. Why they would picture it that way I don't know, but it's possible.

Cheers and Regards

If you look at the article (I posted the link) to the step where they put the motherboard in the chassis, on the right side of the picture you can clearly see the slide/hinge. Further down, when the build is done, you can also see it again. The picture of the front make it look like the one in the pictures is an OEM chassis, since it has the square badge. It could be possible to find which chassis that guy actually used and be able to find that exact one. It looks like it could be an IBM (similar badge) but this part of the article is key:

Quote

(With my kit, I received instructions on the case, the motherboard, each peripheral card, the drives, the monitor, and general assembly.)

So to correctly identify what this particular chassis is, research into AT kits would be required which could be even more difficult to find. The only real clues you can get is the fact that this article was published in 1990, as well as this quote:

Quote

I was able to buy a kit from a national supplier that contained everything on my must-have list, excluding the hard drive, monitor, and printer. The kit cost $599.95;

Update: It is obvious that the one used in the picture is an IBM PC/AT clone, specifically of the 5170. I can only find one clone that is similar, a 12MHz AT clone made by a company called President. It is in the top middle of this pic:
http://img20.imagesh.../7685/comps.jpg

Unfortunately, I can find no other images of this, nor of this company "President". Its a pain to search for "President AT" (give it a try and see). That's all I got.

This post has been edited by Tripredacus: 01 March 2013 - 03:59 PM

[allen2]

Twenty years ago i had one almost exactly as the OP wanted but it is now long gone. It was way too heavy (about 6Kg with only its power supply).

[jaclaz]

thisis1984, on 28 February 2013 - 11:45 AM, said:

Maybe I should have specified that.

Yep, sorry for the misunderstanding .

thisis1984, on 28 February 2013 - 11:45 AM, said:

I'm wondering if anyone older than I am remembers cases like this or would have a case similar with a flip open top that would make part swapping and tinkering much easier.

Yep, but one thing is remembering them, and another one is finding one.

Those types (with hinges) were extremely rare at the time, ideally *someone* could remember a definite make/model and then we could look for it.

In the good ol' times I remember seeing a few 4U Rack Mount cases with a hinged lid, but even if it will do for you, it mught be a nightmare to find one

jaclaz

[buyerninety]

(Enjoyed the colour pic, thanks to Trip for that.)
@thisis1984
If you have your heart set on THAT unique case, consider;
'President' - may in fact be a model name.
'Ancient computer game' enthusiasts e.g. (refering picture), "Invasion of the Vorticons",
such may also have knowledge of where very old cases could be found.
Yep, life would have been easier if ATX cases came as easy to open as a
Power Macintosh G3 (Blue & White).
Incidently, I think some of the pre AT's looked purdy too;
http://oldcomputers.net/ace2100.html
http://oldcomputers.net/kayproii.html
Cheers
_
Addendum; Looked up the maker of the board in the magazine article top picture;
"Willow Peripherals, Inc."
http://www.tiemann.net/About3.html
They make, or rather made, video capture boards, and if you look real close at the
other pics, it seems the gent has captured a pic of himself on the display.
Then I looked up wimsbios and found this in the AMI bios records;
http://www.wimsbios.com/aminumbers.jsp
http://www.wimsbios....s/president.jsp
and
a "President Technology Inc" listing in google;
http://www.google.co...FVMEtLwzH7XUDJQ
Of course, 'President' is as generic as milk. Hope this helps.

This post has been edited by buyerninety: 11 June 2013 - 06:37 AM