Video card upgrade - help needed

[ganttguy]

I have a Sony VAIO desktop (VGC-RA842G). It came stock with an Nvidia 6600 PCI-E card. I am trying to upgrade to a eVGA 7600 GT. The problem is that there is a what appears to be a plastic block above the card that appears to lock the card in place.

See this link for a photo - it's that big black thing on the right with the three square holes:

The top edge of the card seems to fit very snugly into a slot in the bottom of the plastic block, while one side of the plastic block seems to be attached to the side of the power supply, possibly with adhesive.

Does anybody know the best way to remove this block or otherwise figuring out a way to remove the video card?
Does this block serve any purpose other than locking the video card in place?

Thanks!

 

[Arcygenical]

That looks like a "lock block" to me (or a cock block, when you're tryin to get that GPU in). It serves like NO purpose if there are screws that hold the card inplace as well.

Um, Have a hairdryer? Heat the block up, rotate and pull.

 

[Zero82z]

I have a feeling it's screwed in from behind. First, try the blowdryer method. If that doesn't work, you may have to break it off.

 

[AdamNesvick]

I have a feeling it's screwed in from behind. First, try the blowdryer method. If that doesn't work, you may have to break it off.

Break it off?!?!?!

dremel + cutting wheel + being careful = still works afterward.

 

[Zero82z]

It's a piece of plastic... I don't see what the big deal is about breaking it off, as long as you use some caution. Obviously you shouldn't take a sledgehammer to it, but a Dremel isn't necessary. A pair of pliers should suffice.