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IIsi Case, Some trick to it?

funkytoad

Well-known member
I cannot remove the top of the IIsi that I picked up at a recycling event earlier this summer. About a month ago I powered it up and gave it a disk. Upon ejecting said disk, it was reluctant to give it to me all the way. It became jammed. One thing led to another, and it got added on my things to do. So today I at temped to remove the case to get inside. Is there some trick to this? Is it locked shut? I am able to pop the tab on the right rear side of the machine, but not the left. Have tried everything short of breaking it. Any ideas?

Thanks!

-FT :beige:

 

porter

Well-known member
I am able to pop the tab on the right rear side of the machine, but not the left. Have tried everything short of breaking it. Any ideas?
I broke both tabs on my LC-II. :(

Gently is the word. Try and nudge the top to release pressure on the tab.

On my LC, cross section it looks like...

Code:
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Dog Cow

Well-known member
Does it have a screw? Some cases such as the LC have a screw in the center you have to remove (I removed mine years ago!)

 

funkytoad

Well-known member
Does it have a screw? Some cases such as the LC have a screw in the center you have to remove (I removed mine years ago!)
I found where the screw goes, nothing in that spot though.
 

tmtomh

Well-known member
If the problem is that one of the tabs won't disengage, it's very unlikely the problem is a screw or anything like that holding the case down.

I've found IIsi cases are really stubborn this way. I've also found that many 68k Macs - particularly IIsi's, as well as IIci/IIcx/Q700s - have this same problem where the tab on one side (usually where the PSU is) is much more stubborn than the one on the other side.

My hypothesis is that heat differentials in the left and right sides of the machine, and the plastic getting more brittle as it ages, combine to produce this problem.

Unfortunately I would say you're going to have to keep gently but firmly trying to get that left tab to lift until you hear or feel it "pop." Once that happens it may still be tough, but at that point you can giggle, shimmy and other wise push and nudge the top case around until it starts to come off.

It's only happened to me once or twice in about 100 cases, but there is a very small possibility the darn thing might not open up unless you break the tab.

M

 

funkytoad

Well-known member
I got it open by placing a couple of screwdrivers in the space, but very gently so as not to crack it.

 

Charlieman

Well-known member
1. Get the dimensions of the tab height and drill a hole. Then paperclip.

2. Look at a few movies where the hero/villain gets in by opening a door with a credit card.

3. alt.locksmith.

 

Dennis Nedry

Well-known member
Pressing the front and back of the machine together with great force will make the tabs release easier. If you break a tab, super glue works incredibly well to put it back on. I can't even tell the tab that I broke off one of my 6100s; the crack is basically invisible.

 

porter

Well-known member
If you break a tab, super glue works incredibly well to put it back on.
I glued the tabs back onto my LCII after I cut off the lips on the tab and the base, and use the screw to hold the lid on as designed!

 

beachycove

Well-known member
Try warming the area with a hairdryer. That ought in theory to soften the plastics to make them more, well, plastic, and/or any goo that might happen to be sticking the tab down.

 

Dennis Nedry

Well-known member
Also, do it in a warm area, that would seem to help. I did it in below zero temperatures out in the garage when mine snapped off.

 
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