Possible solutions:

This problem occurs mostly when you have a mini tower.

• Remove a 5 1/4 inch diskdrive if still present.
• See if you can re-arrange some of your components.
• Sometimes there is actually free space left at the bottom of the bay, but the front panel of the housing prevents using it. It's hidden behind the cover. Look where the harddisk is mounted. If it's mounted with or without brackets in a 5 1/4 inch slot, you perhaps can move it to the bottom space of the bay. Mark the flatcables before removing them.
• If you have a tapestreamer fitted in a 5 1/4 slot (with a HP Colorado Travan the following surely works), you can take it out, remove the 5 1/4 inch bracket around it and fit it into a 3,5 inch slot. Mark the flatcables before removing them.
• Consult your computer dealer for solutions (the 'easy one' from the manuals). But a creative technician sometimes can come up with some ideas you did not think of yet. If they are not cooperative: buy your stuff somewhere else in future.
• If no alternative is left: buy another housing and (let some expert) transfer the components to the new housing. Note that this is an option if you own a 'clone' computer. The well known computer brands can have their specific housing demands for the components.

Possible solution:

Terratec forgot to comply with the standards used in this field for diskdrives, cd-rom players etc. As long as they don't, you can try the following:

• In many cases the complete 5 1/4 inch bay can be completely removed from the computer housing. This gives you the opportunity to drill extra holes in the bay. First make some paper templates to get the holes in the right place.

  Do not drill extra holes in the plug-in unit:

  • It has the disadvantage you can't easely use the screws.
  • There is a risk of damaging the electronic components.
  • If the soundcard appears to malfunction at a later stage, you will have a hard job to convince your dealer to take it back if the plug-in unit shows signs of 'home crafts'.

Extra contribution by Harald van Teeffelen

About the frontpanel: In a very old mailinglist, someone from Terratec suggested to put the screws 'inside-out' . I had the same fitting-problems as everyone, and wasn't to eager to drill holes. So i tried it, and although it's not easy to put the screws in that way, it works...

The problems you can encounter while inserting the EWS-card apply in fact to every add-on card. We will sum up some of the most common problems and tips worth trying. Note that you perform all actions at your own risk. If you feel uncertain about performing 'surgery' inside your computer, ask help from a dealer or other people with more expertise in that field.

Precautions:

• Computer components are sensitive to static electricity. Make sure you 'discharge' yourselve by touching the metal case of the computer or some other metal object (like a radiator or something).
• Avoid touching the components on the mainboard and the add-on card. Hold the card by the edges while inserting it (do not touch the contacts that go into the slot).
• Do not touch the mainboard and the add-on card with sharp objects. One scratch is enough to damage the cards wiring.
• Take a good look inside the computer and first perform the whole operation 'in your mind'.
• If, after the above mentioned precautions, you do not think: "I know this already", let someone more qualified do the job :-)

Possible problems

• I can't get the card into the slot: how much pressure can I put on it without damaging it?
  • Inserting a card is a delicate balance between caution and a certain dose of force. At least make sure that the card is exactly in the right position above the slot, then press with both thumbs on the upper edge of the card. Spread the downward pressure so that the card will insert exactly vertically.
• The metal bracket that's attached to the card doesn't fit between the brackets of other cards (or the metal plates that cover unused slots).
  • Make room by first loosening up the neighbouring cards or cover plates. Then fasten the screw of your EWS bracket. After that fasten the screws of the other brackets/plates again.
• I can't insert the card deep enough into the slot because it looks like the metal bracket is to short (not 'high' enough).
  • This requires a more delicate operation, which you should perform with great care. You need two small pliers.
    • Remove the card from the slot if necessary. So perform the following operation outside the computer.
    • The bracket that's attached to the card consists of a vertical metal plate with a hook at the top (with the screw hole in it).
    • Very carefully bend the top of the vertical part a bit forward (away from the card). Make sure you don't put any force on the part where the metal plate is connected to the card! That's why you have to use two pliers: one to firmly hold the upper part of the plate, the second plier you must place above the first plier. With the second plier you do the actual bending.
    • Step two: after the slight bending of the vertical part of the bracket, the angle of the part with the screw hole in it isn't horizontal anymore. So you have to do some more bending: grab the top of the vertical part again, bend the 'screw hole part' with the other plier until it's horizontal again.
    • Try if the card will fit. If not: try to make some more adjustments, but don't push your luck! Be very careful!
• The metal bracket of the card is just that little bit too far away from the back of the housing to make the screw fit into the hole.
  • Try the 'bending' operation mentioned above, or:
  • Examin the attachment of your mainboard. Especially in clone computers the mainboard is attached to the bottom of the computer housing with plastic spacers and a few screws. Locate these screws and loosen them a bit. Be careful not to touch the mainboard with the screwdriver! Try if you can shift the mainboard a little bit towards the back of the computer housing. Of course you have to loosen all screws of other add-on cards a bit also. Do not forget to tighten all screws again!

The bottom line of all these tips is: especially clone computers are like do-it-yourself kits. That means that they litterally leave room for some creative fixing. As long as you work with great patience and caution you sometimes can bring obstinate components in line.
But if you don't feel secure: do not hazard the life of your expensive EWS!

Of course should have done some research on your computer housing before you bought the EWS. But Terratec could have taken the various computer housings in consideration. It's rediculous not be able to buy an EWS just because you don't have a spare 5 1/4 inch space left.

Tip: think ahead while fitting the EWS Front unit. Mount it below your cd-rom player, otherwise external midi-cables etc. can damage the tray of the cd-rom player when it's open.

© 1998, Computer ConText, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, except for contributions made by others.

Latest update on page: 08-02-99