How do I remove an expansion bay on my PC?

BigMcLargeHuge

I'm not really proficient with computers, so I've never done this before.

I want to install a new DVD drive, but blocking my path is an expansion bay. It's basically a steel grate that is mocking me.

I don't see any screws to remove this thing, and I've removed both sides of the case. Am I suppose to apply an extreme amount of force on it and break it?

I'm sure the answer is obvious to a lot out there. Like I said, I've never had to use the expansion bay before. So keep the eye rolling to a minimum :P

thej3w

Punch it or something. Just push on it back and forth and it will break\pop off\out.

Ruckus

There's two different pieces you could be talking about:

1. The case cover expansion bay blank, usually plastic or metal and is held in by plastic or metal clips or screws that can be compressed to pop the piece out.

and
2. The chassis expansion bay filler blank, under the front case cover, which is usually partially cut out during the manufacture process, but is left with 2-4 metal tabs or bridges to keep in place. This plate often has a slot or hole in middle of the cutout that will allow a screwdriver to be used to wiggle it up and down to weaken/break the tabs. On the 4 tab/bridge type, you often need to use a good set of hardened Side Cutters to cut at least two of the tabs before your can wiggle the blank plate free.

[edit] Oh and for either piece, it's usually easier to get the blank out if you remove the entire Front Panel Cover, these are usually held on either by a tension clip in the bottom of the Front Panel Cover or 4-6 Tension clips , 2-3 accessible from the side access on each side. Just look carefully from the open sides at the inside front panel and you should see. Be careful though, if you break one or more of these tabs the Front Panel Cover may end up being annoyingly loose or completely unsecurable.