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Case mod I'm getting started on

 
 


azzey
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Aug 7, 2006, 1:27 AM

Post #1 of 10 (2953 views)
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Case mod I'm getting started on Can't Post
I've been thinking for the better part of a year about my new computer. I've been not only saving up the money I need, but I've been thinking about possible designs for the case.

A while back I ran across the Retro IBM mod, and I started thinking. The case featured there ended up to me rather discraceful in my taste--the bright purple is just a little too wild for me. So, I developped in my mind the perfect computer; an IBM PC 5150, but really not modded at all on the exterior. The idea was to spoof everyone into thinking that the computer was archaic, when in reality it housed an X2 4200, 7900GT, and the works.

I have so far ordered the case from eBay (11$ none the less), and I have the CPU and motherboard waiting for me when I get home from vacation. I was thinking of putting the IBM guts on display (hanging from the ceiling in my bedroom, perhaps) and having everything fitting nicely inside the case.

I did come across a neat idea (I don't know where these things come from... maybe in my sleep?) for a power button. My little brother is always screwing my computer up, sneaking in my room to look at pr0n and junk after I spend so much time getting everything going nicely. I had a LED keychain light with a blue LED that I swapped out for an IR LED, so it's basically a remote control now, without any control. So, my idea is to take an IR receiver and replace the power switch with the IR, so that I can point my IR flashlight at the computer and it will turn on. I'm still working out the details of how I want to do it.

I would also like to keep the red power switch on the side for looks, and to add to the whole vintage effect.

I've been waiting a good year to do a good hard mod. I can't wait to get started!
____________________________
Mike

-"Microsoft isn't evil, they just make really crappy operating systems" --Linus Torvalds
-"Don't be Evil" --Google's motto


daniel3679
Novice

Aug 7, 2006, 6:37 PM

Post #2 of 10 (2943 views)
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Re: [azzey] Case mod I'm getting started on [In reply to] Can't Post
great idea with your switch let us know if it works, dont know how pepole think of such cool things


Dan - If it aint broken dont fix it





azzey
User


Aug 9, 2006, 10:57 AM

Post #3 of 10 (2932 views)
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Re: [daniel3679] Case mod I'm getting started on [In reply to] Can't Post
Okay, the IBM PC has arrived, as has the motherboard and CPU. I'm using an A-Bit KN9 SLI Socket AM2 Motherboard and an AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ processor. So far that's all I've ordered, but I'll probably end up throwing in a gig or two of DDR2, and a 7800GT. I'm not worrying about the PSU for now. The hard drive is being recycled from my current system (80gb SATA)

So, I took everythink apart yesterday and gave everything plenty of thought. The case isn't ATX, but is very close to it, so I might only have to do some minor drilling. The PCI slots on the case (well, ISA slots actually) line up with the motherboard, however there were no I/O shields on early motherboards, so I'll have to dremel one out.

I removed the 5.25" floppy drive (it takes up two 5.25" bays--it's a MONSTER!) and hot-glued the bezel back together so it looks completely authentic. I also have the red LED that was originally for the floppy drive to work as the HDD LED, and I mounted the IR power switch inside one of the holes on the floppy bezel. I will be mounting the hard drive in a mounting kit behind here.

There was also a 250MB 5.25" Hard Disk that doesn't spin up (I'm planning on putting this one on display Wink), so I removed the front bezel (equiped with a red LED) and will mount it on the front of my DVD-ROM drive to create a stealth drive. The LED will be wired to the drive's LED system. The other 5.25" bay will remain unused for the time being.

I also ripped the red AT power switch from the old power supply. It will be mounted as kind of a 'master' switch, so that in order for the IR switch to work, the system must be "armed" with the old AT switch. That will be cool. I am also planning on mounting a second push-button switch inside the case in case I need to start things without the IR keychain, and I don't want to unsolder everything or use a screwdriver.

I'm still working out the details of the Power Supply. I think it will be too big for the rear, since I also want to put in a big fan. So, my idea is to mount the PSU in the front, and use a small power cord extender to move the power input to the rear of the case. That way, there's enough space at the back for a 120mm blue LED case fan and grill.

Oh, I forgot to mention this--the old IBM hardware will be mounted on my wall for display pleasures Tongue
____________________________
Mike

-"Microsoft isn't evil, they just make really crappy operating systems" --Linus Torvalds
-"Don't be Evil" --Google's motto


fatbellydude
Novice

Aug 10, 2006, 12:39 AM

Post #4 of 10 (2922 views)
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Re: [azzey] Case mod I'm getting started on [In reply to] Can't Post
Too Cool!! Got any pics for us as you go along with the build? Cool Would love to watch this monster develope..
Roger Harper
"Im not anti-social....I'm just not user friendly"


azzey
User


Aug 10, 2006, 1:50 AM

Post #5 of 10 (2920 views)
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Re: [fatbellydude] Case mod I'm getting started on [In reply to] Can't Post
As of right now, I have not posted any pictures. You can, however, follow the project in detail at my website HERE. I will be posting the pictures as soon as possible. I will also continue to update in this thread.

[Edit]I edited out that link because the website no longer exists. I'm still trying to get a decent hosting service. [/Edit]
____________________________
Mike

-"Microsoft isn't evil, they just make really crappy operating systems" --Linus Torvalds
-"Don't be Evil" --Google's motto

(This post was edited by azzey on Dec 14, 2006, 12:12 AM)


daniel3679
Novice

Aug 11, 2006, 5:00 PM

Post #6 of 10 (2911 views)
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Re: [azzey] Case mod I'm getting started on [In reply to] Can't Post
great idea displaying old hardware Wink


Dan - If it aint broken dont fix it





KaelitioN
Novice

Aug 15, 2006, 9:13 PM

Post #7 of 10 (2856 views)
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Re: [daniel3679] Case mod I'm getting started on [In reply to] Can't Post
Quote
I had a LED keychain light with a blue LED that I swapped out for an IR LED, so it's basically a remote control now, without any control. So, my idea is to take an IR receiver and replace the power switch with the IR, so that I can point my IR flashlight at the computer and it will turn on. I'm still working out the details of how I want to do it.
http://lnx.manoweb.com/lirc/

Crazy

Maybe not quite what you're going after...but still ....very ....cool.


azzey
User


Aug 17, 2006, 10:57 AM

Post #8 of 10 (2810 views)
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Re: [KaelitioN] Case mod I'm getting started on [In reply to] Can't Post
Okay, so plans have changed quite a bit. The new motherboard is too big to also fit a PSU in, so I'm scrapping the whole project. Kinda. I will be fitting the computer with a Socket 370 motherboard and a Pentium 3 1ghz, and build from there. With any luck it should still be an okay computer, just not the head-turner I expected it would be.

The new computer will go into a Cooler Master Centurion case that should hold it well.
____________________________
Mike

-"Microsoft isn't evil, they just make really crappy operating systems" --Linus Torvalds
-"Don't be Evil" --Google's motto


azzey
User


Oct 14, 2006, 10:43 PM

Post #9 of 10 (2362 views)
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Re: [azzey] Case mod I'm getting started on [In reply to] Can't Post
An update to my endeavor.

The new rig is operational. I've got an Abit KN9-SLI AM2 motherboard, Athlon64 X2 4200+, 1GB OCZ (5-5-5-12) DDR2-800 RAM, nVidia GeForce 7900GTO 513MB PCIe, all in a Cooler-Master Centurion case.

The only problem now is that the system will randomly sound an alarm indicating that the PCIe voltage has exceeded it's threshold (should be 1.5v, but is creeping up past 1.65v sometimes). I increased the threshold to 1.7v and set it to shut the system down if it gets that high. Haven't had any problems yet.

My old Shuttle has become the network server and runs Folding@Home during idle CPU time. This new rig replaces the Shuttle as my main gaming rig and runs Folding@Home on one core, and Seti@home on the other during idle CPU time.

The new rig (christened "Destroy") has an Aquamark score of 90,000 which blows away the Shuttle witch would get 7,000 max (it had an archaic Radeon 9200 in it). Overall I am very happy with this build, and should get around to posting pictures in my PC Profile soon.

Now for the IBM mod...
I've got holes cut to ATX specifications to mount the motherboard on, as well as a custom I/O backplate. The bat will need to be hacked apart to accommodate for the motherboard I/O. The motherboard will be a mATX Intel Socket 370 motherboard with onboard LAN and video. The CPU will be a PIII 1gHz. I'll throw a SoundBlaster in there and use it mainly for audio editing including but not limited to ripping music from LP's.

I'm ordering a 19" IBM monochrome monitor which will have the innards scooped out and a 17" LCD monitor mounted inside (it will be totally retro). I can't wait until I get everything together!
____________________________
Mike

-"Microsoft isn't evil, they just make really crappy operating systems" --Linus Torvalds
-"Don't be Evil" --Google's motto


hotrod
User

Oct 16, 2006, 12:15 AM

Post #10 of 10 (2342 views)
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Re: [azzey] Case mod I'm getting started on [In reply to] Can't Post
Sounds really cool. You will definitely have to get some pics up after you finish... Wink

Hotrod

 
 
 


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