Member Avatar for xxMulderxx

Ok.. So im still new to the computer world so be kind..Ive been looking into computer case mods.. And i am interested in making some modifications. Like a way cooler case than my current black shell.. I need to know that my mother board will fit into most cases ive been looking at.. They all say they fit standard atx boards.. I opened my case and looked at my mother board and i find no sign of atx written anywhere.. the only words that are real visible are pci express ht 200 serial ata.. My computer isnt even a year old.. its an emachines. which is not top of the line but i did make some good upgrades.. I installed a second hard drive..upgraded the memory and installed ubuntu and got rid of vista.. I run virtual box when i need to mess with windows.. But i wanna make this thing look boss. What is standard atx? Do i have one? please help me in my quest for a cool looking pc.. thanks

  • 4 Contributors
  • 4 Replies
  • 125 Views
  • 3 Days Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by OlyComputers

Dani AI

Generated

Useful, practical checks that avoid guesswork and suit an Ubuntu-equipped Emachines like the OP described.

Run the SMBIOS reader to get the board make/model from the running system:

sudo dmidecode -t baseboard
sudo dmidecode -t system

Look for the "Manufacturer" and "Product Name" fields; those strings are the key to finding an official spec sheet. dmidecode documentation is available here: dmidecode manpage.

If the SMBIOS info is missing or generic, inspect the PCB for a silkscreened model code (around the RAM slots, near SATA connectors, or beside PCI slots) and use that exact string when searching for a datasheet. The datasheet will state the board form factor and connector list.

A quick physical check that complements the datasheet: measure the board. Full ATX is 305 mm x 244 mm (12 x 9.6 in); microATX is typically 244 mm x 244 mm (9.6 x 9.6 in). Verify that the rear I/O cluster lines up with the case I/O opening and that the board’s main power plug is a standard 20/24‑pin and the CPU power is the common 4/8‑pin — these details are in the ATX spec ATX (form factor) — Wikipedia.

A few practical modding cautions: confirm standoff locations match the case before cutting or painting; photograph and label front-panel and PSU connectors (OEM pinouts can differ); don’t commit to irreversible case work until a test fit is done. correctly warned about OEM/proprietary boards — the dmidecode + datasheet + measurement sequence above gives a reliable determination of whether the board is standard ATX/microATX or a proprietary layout.

Recommended Answers

All 4 Replies

Member Avatar for OlyComputers

ATX is the screw patern/ size /Power specifications for standard motherboards. There are also micro ATX boards that fit the same cases but are shorter (probably not relevant to you).

Virtual all motherboards use the ATX standard, but I know that some of the larger manufacturers used to use their own proprietary boards (and some might still do it). The problem is that if you have a non ATX motherboard you would never be able to put it into a case that wasn't released by Emachines.

I have three suggestions for finding out if your case is ATX or not:

Google something along the lines of "model number + motherboard replacement"

Go onto emachines website and look at your systems detailed specs, see if it says ATX or microatx anywhere (if your system has 2-3 PCI slots it's probably MicroATX, more than 3 has to be Standard ATX)

Find another case, any case, and see if your board will fit in it. If it will fit into another computer that's not emachines and the power supply works properly, it's ATX.

Member Avatar for bibhas.hira

i have a pc with mercurry 810e mother board, 128mb ram and 20 gb hdd but right now display not coming, and no beep sound, but my ram is tested ok and smps supply power to mother board is ok because CPU fan running but display not comming . what should i do in this position.

Member Avatar for coolraj003

I think it would be the mobo that is your problem. SOunds like a very old system to me with 128mb ram and 20gb hard disk. It most likely is the mobo as i dont think you would have any graphics card. Also worth while to check is the monitor, may be that is the problem.

Good luck

Raj

Member Avatar for OlyComputers

Coolraj is spot on, although a lot of older systems do have video-cards, just not good ones (by todays standards). I'd suggest either posting or browsing the "diagnosing dead systems" section. Putting a post in the right section always helps get better results, and this is an older post that probably wont get a lot of attention anyway.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.