Drilling locks

[ncflagg]

I have a Neo Geo that I haven't been able to find the keys for. The marquee has a lock on it. Do I drill it? How is this specifically accomplished? Do I just drill holes in the middle of the lock til it comes loose?

[Q*Bert_OP]

The factory locks on neo's are openable if you stick a large flathead screwdriver in it and twist really hard...

[Ken Layton]

The dedicated Neo's had that lock all keyed alike to National Cabinet Lock key number C-413A (extremely common).

[More Cowbell]

If you're going to drill it, just hope to get lucky. I have had some that practically fell apart when I drilled into it and some that seemed like Fort Knox. Do some drilling, then crank with a flat head screwdriver, repeat until open. Vacuum up the shavings or you'll be getting slivers in every bit of exposed skin on your body. 

[Dartful Dodger]

If you have a similar key for a different cabinet you can try lock bumping.

[slycrel]

I've only had to do this once, but it was pretty easy.  Just make sure your drill isn't an overblown screwdriver and you should be okay.  Make sure you use either a nice drill bit or one you can throw away after though.

[knave]

On my neo-geo I think you can unscrew the marquee retainer on the top, then get to the nut that holds on the lock.  No drilling then.

[ChadTower]

I've drilled tons of locks... if you have a decent drill they open like candy.

Don't be concerned about shavings in your skin... be a lot more concerned about metal fragments falling on the PCBs.  They can kill it next time you power up.

[ncflagg]

Thanks, for all the advice. I'll let you know what I find...

[Malenko]

meh if yours is like mine just reach in through the back and unscrew that screw that the latch is catching and it'll open.

[RayB]

And wear safety glasses!  Metal shavings can get in your eyes, and then its a problem if you ever need an MRI in the future.

[ChadTower]

It's a problem immediately, I'd think, since they're often very hot and sharp.

[RayB]

*sigh*

You can get micro sized shavings into your eye... You might not even feel it. But even at that size it's a danger if you get an MRI. So better to be safe.  Capiche?

[Kremmit]

meh if yours is like mine just reach in through the back and unscrew that screw that the latch is catching and it'll open.

Yeah, if you can get in the back.  But if you need the keys to get in the back...

[ChadTower]

You can get micro sized shavings into your eye... You might not even feel it. But even at that size it's a danger if you get an MRI. So better to be safe.  Capiche?

A person who speaks of things that are not 100% parallel to your thoughts is not necessarily having a problem comprehending yours.  If we all brought the exact same thought to the table there wouldn't be any point in sitting at it.

Tu me comprends?

[RayB]

You can get micro sized shavings into your eye... You might not even feel it. But even at that size it's a danger if you get an MRI. So better to be safe.  Capiche?

A person who speaks of things that are not 100% parallel to your thoughts is not necessarily having a problem comprehending yours.  If we all brought the exact same thought to the table there wouldn't be any point in sitting at it.

Tu me comprends?

Your post implies one would FEEL anything hitting their eye, invalidating my point. I was clarifying that you wouldn't necessarily be free and clear just because you didn't feel anything hit your eyes.  Stop being such a post-whore.

[ncflagg]

Yes, I have the back off. I was able to get a philips in and remove the screw-latch easily. Thanks, Malenko and everybody else.

I have have another slightly shorter cab with the same problem. Haven't tackled that one yet.

[northerngames]

also cutting a "+" shape and prying it apart with a flathead and a dremel tool with cut off wheel should work.