Below is a chat transcript of a conversation between me and HP’s “live” chat support.

Penley
Hello Tom.

Penley
Welcome to HP Total Care for Compaq Products. My name is Penley. How may I assist you today?

Tom
i had to transplant my 7ap195 (compaq) into a new case…are there specs for the proprietary connector used to connect the front usb/firewire ports?

Tom
i’m looking for a pin diagram that maps the pins on the motherboard socket for the connector to the usb/fw headers

Penley
Sure. I will help you.

Penley
May I have your serial number?

Tom
i don’t have that at easy access, sorry.

Tom
i’ve called for support on the unit before and provided my serial number, so it should be able to be located via my name/other personal info

Penley
May I have your serial number of your computer?

Penley
Please g ive me sometime while I search the information for you.

Penley
I will provide you a URL, from that you will get all the information which you needed.

Penley
The URL is:

Penley
ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/supportinformation/consumerdocs/MaintServcGd/7AP-EP.pdf

Penley
Are we connected?

Tom
yea, i’m reading over that pdf now

Penley
Ok.

Tom
this document doesn’t have any detailed info on the pin assignments for the motherboard connector for the fron i/o panel

Tom
could you locate a service/technical manual for the motherboard?

Penley
We do not have the mother board connector information of this model.So I suggest you to

Penley
Sorry for the above line.

Penley
I have verified the specifications of your Presario 7AP195 PC in our database and was unable to find any manuals. However, the getting Started manual wil l be supplied along with the Presario. If you cannot find it, please contact the place from where you have purchased the computer.

Penley
Is there anything else I can help you with today?

Tom
No…but to be honest you weren’t especially helpful to begin with

Penley
I am verified all database but manuals of this model not available.So please do not feel bad.

Tom
can you get me the information for a technical support engineer that *can* help me?

Penley
I suggest you to contact nearest service provider.

Penley
Are we connected?

Tom
thanks…that’s not very helpful. if you don’t have a service manual, how are they supposed to be of any more use?

Penley
Tom, I truly apologize for all the inconvcenience this is causing you. But, I wish to inform you that we have provided all the information that we can.

Penley
However, opening the c hasis and working on the Motherboard is not recommended for the end users. Since this may cause some serious issues.

Penley
Only a expert and experienced technician are supposed to work on the Motherboard as they are aware of all the consequences that could happen if some thing goes wrong.

Penley
Tom, are we connected?

Penley
Please respond as a delay may cause a disconnection in our chat session.

Yet another reason *not* to ever buy a Compaq or HP computer…