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I have an old (no more than 5 or 6 years) Compaq that I'm planning to re-purpose. The motherboard and CPU need to be replaced but I'm going to be able to re-use the hard drive and optical drives. I'd also like to be able to re-use the case. I'd heard that some Compaq (as well as Dell, HP, etc...) build motherboards with non-standard form-factors that only they (the vender) use. How would I be able to determine if the case can take a standard form-factor or if it only takes a special Compaq form-factor? The case itself is a standard, mid-tower size.
What is the specific model of the Compaq? – Synetech – 2012-07-17T17:50:33.167
measuring is really the only way; or eye balling the shape/size and placement of the holes... that is if you have the experience – Logman – 2012-07-17T17:52:58.207
@Logman: Do you know where I'd find a description of the exact position of the screw holes? I imagine that I could measure the screw positions relative to the motherboard edge or the case (or both) and that would determine if it's a standard or proprietary design. – FrustratedWithFormsDesigner – 2012-07-17T18:12:55.597
1@FrustratedWithFormsDesigner, I updated my answer to include a link. – Synetech – 2012-07-17T18:26:19.910
@FrustratedWithFormsDesigner if you can post an image of the mobo inside you case maybe we can help narrow it down. You can also take that picture and compare it to some online images http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/VIA_Mini-ITX_Form_Factor_Comparison.jpg (from Josh's wiki link) but still measuring is the only way or taking a good picture and superimposing it over an existing form factor and seeing how the holes line up.
– Logman – 2012-07-17T18:30:34.270