Where can I get an internal PC case speaker in Montreal or from a Canadian website?

March 14, 2009 1:12 PM

Where can I get an internal PC case speaker in Montreal or from a site in Canada?

I just moved here from the states and my computer arrived via UPS in non-working order (no video and it doesn't seem to boot, but the fans spin up and run until I power down).

My case, an Antec P182, doesn't have a PC speaker. I'd really like to narrow down the problem and am hoping being able to hear the BIOS POST beep codes could help. I think it may just be the video card, but I don't have a spare PCI Express card to try.

I don't know the city very well and I'm hoping for a store near a metro stop. I've been to Microbytes, but they don't sell PC speakers. I went to The Source, where I saw a couple of piezos like this one. I have a soldering iron and a spare cable with a plug I could solder the piezo to, but I don't know much about electronic components and want to be sure the part I get will work when plugged into the motherboard (and not cause additional damage)! If I can use a piezo from The Source, should I look for one with particular specifications?

Alternatively, is there a Canadian site that sells PC case speakers for cheap? I have looked on a few sites but haven't found anything except for kits that include a lot of stuff I don't need at rip-off prices. I'd prefer to get this locally, hopefully sometime this weekend.

posted by globotomy to computers & internet (6 comments total)

A little googlefu reveals a number of local parts dealers that might have what you're looking for.
posted by valkyryn at 1:39 PM on March 14

ncix.com and tiger direct are a couple of reliable and inexpensive online canadian computer retailers.
posted by cCranium at 1:48 PM on March 14

That piezo looks absolutely fine. It's a buzzer rather than a simple transducer (which would require additional amplification), and that's the correct sort of device for a PC beeper.

I don't know off the top of my head what the standard operating voltage is for a PC beeper, but the one you've linked looks like it'll handle typical PC voltages. I'm pretty confident it'll work, and there shouldn't be any danger whatsoever.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 2:08 PM on March 14

In Montreal, Addison Electronics is the place for electronic bits and pieces. It's far from downtown and always an adventure.
posted by Jode at 3:06 PM on March 14

le morte de bea arthur: "I don't know off the top of my head what the standard operating voltage is for a PC beeper..."

That's possibly because, with all due respect, you don't know what the hell you're talking about. The buzzer the OP linked to, which you've indicated is exactly what they want, is exactly what they don't want.

Ah, and PC speakers are hooked up to a 5v square wave AC source, the frequency of which determines the pitch. That buzzer wants a 3~20V DC source, and is fixed at 2400Hz. It's basically a piezo element with a 2400Hz oscillator built-in.

OP, at a pinch you can buy any small 8ohm speaker, rat one from an old radio, or even use a bare piezo element (i.e. not that buzzer, the other type). None of those are polarised, just hook 'em up to the speaker pins on the motherboard either way around.
posted by Pinback at 4:24 PM on March 14 [1 favorite]

Pinkback, you're absolutely right.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 3:27 AM on March 15