help!!!

[purple_haze]

i recently lost my key to my thermaltake xaser 3 and i would like to open the faceplace witout damaging but it wont budge i unscrewed everything from the damn thing and still it wouldnt budge. Does anybody know how to get these things open without a key or something or am i out of luck

 

[Nivram]

Had to look up one of those, to see what sort of lock it had on it.

Seeing as it looks like it's a real key to unlock that lock, you probably won't have much luck picking it (and I imagine you've already tried).

Any chance you can take the case down to a locksmith's shop, and let them pick the lock? Most locksmiths these days have what's commonly known as a "lock picking gun", that they insert into the lock, and pull the trigger a few times. It basically just snaps the pins inside the lock a few times, and convinces the lock that a key has done it. A few snaps, a twist, and the lock is open.

No idea what they might charge for that service, but I don't imagine it would be too much, especially if you take the case to them. Might be worth looking into a replacement lock while you're at it, if locking the case front is important to you.

Hope that helps!

 

[aL Mac]

How Stuff Works

Go to that website and search for 'lock picking'

I know I've seen how locks and lock picking work before on that website.. it's actually not too hard with some practice especially if you have a lockpicking kit.. which includes a torque wrench and some picks.. here's how it's done.

You insert the torque wrench on the bottom of the lock and turn it applying torque to the lock ( it's a small L shaped bar that's flat) You insert the small bent flat part just to apply a rotational force on the lock.

Then with the pick you manipulate the pins from the back forward setting each in place.. you basically lift each one up and due to the torque on the lock along with how the lock is built it will sort of stick in posistion.. once you've set all the pins the lock will open..

It takes a little practice and knowning how much torque to apply.. but it's not too hard. I believe you can even do it with a very small screw driver and allen wrench. I managed to open my first masterlock in about 5 minutes of practice..

Barrel key locks are much much harder to pick.. the other guy did say you had a regular lock right?

Anyway if you wanted to open you can try picking it.. but I dunno what you'd do for it after that. Try getting a replacement part?

 

[TVersetti]

contact the manufacturer, even though it will be embarrassing.
Really, you might want to pick it first to regain access to your optical drives

 

[purple_haze]

ya thanks for the help guys i just sent an email to thermaltake hopefully they can gimme a cheap replacement key.....

 

[motithejrt]

is this "your" computer?!? Just kidding... instead of waiting on thermaltake who will probably charge you for the key and shipping, go to a locksmith like the previous post said. They'll even cut you as many keys as you want. They might even be able to replace the lock socket with a residential socket and key it to your house/apt/whatever key. That way, you won't lose it again.