Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the temperature of a computer system provides a first temperature sensor, positioned around or on a CPU, for sensing the temperature of the CPU or around the CPU. A first A/D converter is used to convert the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor into a first temperature value. At least one second temperature sensor, positioned inside the housing, senses the temperature around the housing. At least one second A/D converter converts the temperature sensed by die second temperature sensor into a second temperature value. The first temperature value and second temperature value are input to a control circuit, and a suitable value to output a control signal for controlling the speed of the fan is chosen so as to precede the heat dissipating of the computer system.

Abstract: A thermal structure includes a fin module, a heat sink base, a heat pipe, a fan housing, and a fan. One end of the heat pipe is connected with the fin module and the other end of the heat pipe is installed on the heat sink base. The fan housing is fixed on the fin module. Blades are installed inside the fan housing. The fan includes inlets on an upper surface and a lower surface of the fan housing and a outlet on a side surface of the fan housing, so as to absorb heat through the inlet and eliminate the heat through the outlet. Therefore, the heat dissipating efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A clip-on hanger for electrical data storage and retrieval devices, which facilitates rapid installation and removal of a data storage and retrieval device, is disclosed by the present invention. The clip-on hanger includes a plate body, which has an inserting tab formed on its end, a hanger portion formed on the opposing end, expanding rail springs disposed on the top and the opposing bottom of plate body; a fixing member assembled onto the plate body; and a movable locking clamp member installed on the hanger portion of the plate body. By utilizing the clip of the fixing member, the clip-on hangers can be quickly and easily mounted onto the both side surfaces of the data storage and retrieval device without changing any configuration or structure of the data storage and retrieval device. This assembly can be slid into and secured inside a receptive mount without using any screw components. The receptive mount can be further installed into a computer.

Abstract: An inlet airflow guiding structure for a computer includes a computer chassis, a front bezel, an airflow guiding space defined between the front bezel and the computer chassis, and a plurality of inlet airflow openings. The airflow guiding space and the inlet airflow openings provide a low airflow impedance inlet that facilitates the movement of the incoming inlet airflow. The front cooling fan in the computer is thereby capable of providing lower-temperature air into computer for efficiently dissipating heat generated for high-speed CPU.

Abstract: On a motherboard, a first slot for receiving a high-performance component that typically generates higher levels of heat and emissions is mounted next to a second slot for receiving a card that generates relatively lower levels of heat and emissions. The second slot is positioned between the first slot and the central processing unit (CPU) socket on the motherboard. Through this configuration, a CPU can be shielded from the heat and electromagnetic interference generated by with a high-performance component. The first slot can be positioned near the edge of the motherboard, further facilitating heat dissipation and access to the slot. In an embodiment, the first slot is an AGP slot and the second slot is a PCI slot.

Abstract: A heat dissipating structure for a computer casing includes a computer casing having a front board, a back board, and a bottom board, wherein the front board and the back board are parallel and correspond to each other by being connected together on the bottom board. There are two supporting frames mounted at an opposite side corresponding to the bottom board for respectively connecting with the upper sides of the front board and the back board so as to form a rectangular hexahedron. There are plural placing slots mounted on the front board for placing a disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, and plural connectors therein, wherein the front board further has the plural heat dissipating openings mounted thereon between the positions of the placing slots. Through the heat dissipating openings, the air flowing outside is drawn into the inside computer casing so that the heat generated by the electrical elements can be exhausted to the outside and a better heat dissipating effectiveness is achieved.

Abstract: An inlet airflow guiding structure for a computer includes a computer chassis, a front bezel, an airflow guiding space defined between the front bezel and the computer chassis, and a plurality of inlet airflow openings. The airflow guiding space and the inlet airflow openings provide a low airflow impedance inlet that facilitates the movement of the incoming inlet airflow. The front cooling fan in the computer is thereby capable of providing lower-temperature air into computer for efficiently dissipating heat generated for high-speed CPU.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a personal computer is installed over a screw that is used to secure a moveable panel of the computer's chassis in a closed position. When installed, the locking mechanism prevents access to the screw, thereby preventing an unauthorized person from opening the panel of the chassis and having access to the contents therein. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a lock base for receiving the screw and a lock head for being positioned over the lock base to cover and prevent access to the screw.

Abstract: A fixture assembly for securing a card in a computer includes a computer chassis with at least one slot opening and a window above the slot opening. A card is installed in the computer so that an external interface of the card matches up with a slot opening in the chassis, and an extension of a bracket attached to the card protrudes through the window. To secure the card in place, a clamp is attached over the window, where the clamp includes one or more outward folds to press against the extension of the bracket. The card's bracket may further extend through openings in the bottom of the chassis to improve the securing of the card.

Abstract: An integrated motherboard for a small form factor computer comprises a CPU socket located in a central region of the motherboard. A south bridge/north bridge chipset is located next to the CPU socket towards the front of the motherboard, and a memory module is located next to the south bridge/north bridge chipset towards the front of the motherboard. One or more PCI slots are located on one side of the CPU socket, and a power module is located on the other side of the CPU socket.

Abstract: A mounting device for an interface card includes a main unit housing and a holding plate. The holding plate is rotatably coupled to the main unit housing and positionable in an open position to allow an interface card to be installed, and in a closed position to secure an interface card. When an interface card is installed into a socket on the motherboard of the computer, a portion of an attach plate of the interface card extends between the locating plate and the holding plate, thereby securing the interface card. The attach plate of the interface card may also extend through a lower opening of the housing, which receives therethrough a portion of the card's attach plate.

Abstract: A motherboard is protected from burning or other damage caused by installation of card of a higher voltage than that for which the motherboard is designed, such as the installation of an AGP 2× graphics card in a motherboard designed for an AGP 4× graphics card. In the AGP example, a detection circuit determines whether the installed card is an AGP 2× or an AGP 4× graphics card. First and second power controlling circuits that control delivery of the DC power to the motherboard are either opened or closed based on whether and what type of card is installed. A switch may also be provided to control the passing of DC power through the first and second power controlling circuits. An alert unit, such as a light or buzzer, may also be provided to indicate the installation of a higher voltage card.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved computer casing that allows a circuit board to be inserted from either the front side or the rear side of the computer casing. The improved computer casing comprises: a main frame, being a frame and comprising a frame hole on its front end, a bottom plate at its bottom, and a bottom groove, a protrusion disposed on the frame hole; a midway board, comprising a snap hole disposed at its upper edge and an extended plate being vertically disposed at a position proximate to each of both ends, a protruded plate disposed thereon, and a rectangular latch plate disposed in the middle section and having a protruded latch; a base plate disposed on both sides of the bottom; a cover frame, having a latch hole at its upper edge and a side hole on its lateral sides, such that the side hole is latched with the protruded plate, the latch hole with the protrusion, and the bottom plate with the bottom groove of the main frame.