cheap lock on a case, I have no key

[QueBert]

It's like a lock you'd find on a $50 poker chip set or something. I can pick it, but it takes me awhile to do it. So I just leave it unlocked, that keeps me from being able to carry around the case closed though. Since these are such crummy locks would any key from a similar lock work here?

 

[frostedflakes]

One of these?

They're fairly common, replacements can be found online.

http://www.directron.com/key1.html?gsear=1

 

[rayray2]

Why don't you just get something that will hold it closed that comes off easily and doesn't require a key?

 

[QueBert]

One of these?

Oh I didn't mention it's a flat key not a round one.

Why don't you just get something that will hold it closed that comes off easily and doesn't require a key?

It's a pretty nice case and has a cut out that fits the microphone perfectly.

 

[Alone]

Pictures would surely help.

 

[jupiter57]

If it is what I think it is, your local Lowe's, HD, or Hardware store should carry a cheap replacement.

 

[IronWing]

Drill it out. Then get a big rubber band to hold the case shut.

 

[Kirby]

who did you steal it from?

 

[CZroe]

The lock on an Antec P180 is laughable. The front door doesn't just swing forward, it hinges sideways on a dual hinge so that it can fold flat against the side. All you gotta do is push it sideways and then swing it forward. HAW!

 

[Brigandier]

The lock on an Antec P180 is laughable. The front door doesn't just swing forward, it hinges sideways on a dual hinge so that it can fold flat against the side. All you gotta do is push it sideways and then swing it forward. HAW!

I think most locks on computers are stupid. I mean, unless you have locking screws to seal the case, what are you really protecting yourself from?

 

[CZroe]

I think most locks on computers are stupid. I mean, unless you have locking screws to seal the case, what are you really protecting yourself from?

I agree that it is often stupid, but forced OS passwords on most Macs and PCs are stupid for the same reasoning. A lot of people DO have security screws at LAN parties and a mating hole for a padlock was common on cases even 10 years ago (door has a tab with a hole in it that lines up with a similar one on the chassis when you slip it on). Also, drives are often rail-mounted and can be removed from the front by a passer by even without a screwdriver if the door doesn't lock. The discs inside them may need to be protected as well, especially at a LAN party where it's probably a copy of a recent and still valuable game.

 

[Brigandier]

I agree that it is often stupid, but forced OS passwords on most Macs and PCs are stupid for the same reasoning. A lot of people DO have security screws at LAN parties and a mating hole for a padlock was common on cases even 10 years ago (door has a tab with a hole in it that lines up with a similar one on the chassis when you slip it on). Also, drives are often rail-mounted and can be removed from the front by a passer by even without a screwdriver if the door doesn't lock. The discs inside them may need to be protected as well, especially at a LAN party where it's probably a copy of a recent and still valuable game.

I see your points, but the points a case lock addresses are: you don't want others starting your system, and you don't want them loading uncouth software. Both of these things could be settled with a bios password + windows password. Why have a physical lock for a crime that isn't physical? If you're worried about people stealing your system, security screws and padlocks are alright. How can a cheap ass lock that the owner admits he can pick protect anything?

 

[CZroe]

I see your points, but the points a case lock addresses are: you don't want others starting your system, and you don't want them loading uncouth software. Both of these things could be settled with a bios password + windows password. Why have a physical lock for a crime that isn't physical? If you're worried about people stealing your system, security screws and padlocks are alright. How can a cheap ass lock that the owner admits he can pick protect anything?

Because USB ports are usually still exposed and most people do have an OS password, I don't think loading software is the biggest concern. It's stealing it out of the drive or taking the actual drive. A rail-mounted Blu-Ray drive or a bay-mounted HDD could be very attractive and a lot easier to get away with than stealing the whole case.

As for his cheap easily-circumvented lock, that's exactly what he was complaining about as far as I can tell and exactly why I brought up an even worse one.

FWIW, the case still has to be secured with a Kensington lock or something even with all these measures or comeone could just take the whole damn thing. I've never seen anyone do all of that! Sure, they're somewhat common for notebooks, LCDs, and external drives, but I've never seen anyone put security screws on their notebook (they probably aren't even made to fit) or HDD enclosure.

 

[CZroe]

The lock on an Antec P180 is laughable. The front door doesn't just swing forward, it hinges sideways on a dual hinge so that it can fold flat against the side. All you gotta do is push it sideways and then swing it forward. HAW!

Oh, and I should probably point out that the design could have been fixed by simply swapping the position of the lock to the chassis and the hole it hooks into on the swinging door. Actually, because the dual-hinge piece connecting it to the case was a tall thin strip of flexible plastic with venthilation slits running the length of it, it could still be flexed enough to take it out of the holes it was fit into, IIRC.

 

[waffleironhead]

Cant you just replace the cylinder?