How to Secure Your Computer Case - Quick and Easy

For this you will need a #30 drill bit (smaller than 1/8 inch), a single aluminum pop rivet, rivet gun, masking tape, blue shop towels and electric drill.

First step is to locate where you will place your rivet.  I would suggest near the edge of a side panel below one of the factory screws.  The location doesn’t really matter if your side panel slides off however, for the panels that pull away it should be located near the center.  This prevents people from trying to pry the panel off instead of removing the rivet.

Carefully mask the area using blue shop towels (the paper type) to keep metal shavings from entering the case.    The paper allows the metal shavings to slide where you want them to and won’t stick to the material.  Arrange it such that the metal will fall outside the case.  Don’t use cloth!  The metal will become embedded and is difficult to track during your clean up.

Install the side panel and mark where you want the hole, cover the area in masking tape and mark the location with a marker.

Remove the panel and drill the single hole.  Protect the panel however you wish.  I used an old shop towel and used the edge of my workbench to support the panel while I drilled the hole.  A solid backing and light pressure will burrs from forming, unlike what I have here. 

Time to break out the file.

Now you can reinstall the panel and mark where you need the next hole to be.  You can use a center punch or marker.  I found that using the drill bit with a few quick turns was enough.

Remove the panel and check the location.