Project: Mitternacht

[Mitternacht]

Now begins the mother of any mod I'll probably ever build, my first scratch build; welcome.

I am gonna be constructing a case out of plexiglass that will house my PC internals and my modchipped Xbox.

Blueprints:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2008.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2009.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2011.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2012.jpg

And here's the first purchase for this mod:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170187643214&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=007

In case you don't understand the concept of this mod, the Motherboard and Xbox will share the same motherboard tray. The PC will be on the larger side, and on the smaller side will sit the Xbox motherboard. Most of this case will be painted black, but stickers will be placed in key areas to show certain parts, like the pc parts, the modchip on the Xbox motherboard, etc. The reason it willl be painted is because I am gonna take a stab at making a custom intake fan duct in the front of the case, and I dont think anyone wants to see bare bondo. I have devised a method of removal of the side panels by using screws and special mounting brackets on the inside of the case, I just don't have it drawn up yet. That LCD screen will be up front and will be the display for the Xbox. I will use an external audio source for sound for the Xbox. Now I know I dont have an LCD screen in the blueprints, but it will be there; same goes for the X3CP LCD screen that displays the modchip information. And as you can see on the front, the xbox power/eject circuit board and all 4 controller ports will be up front. This will require lengthening all the wires which I can do easily.

Feel free to ask any questions. The modding hopefully starts this weekend when I'll be cutting all the pieces I need from a 6' X 4' 1/8" sheet of plexiglass.

[Trace]

Looks very interesting. I will be keeping an eye on this!

[The boy 4rm oz]

Hmmm that does look interesting. +subscribe

[Mitternacht]

Here's the manual (http://www.qualitycaraudio.com/store/manuals/PLVHR72.pdf) for the screen. It says the screen uses 6 watts; that's perfect since I can run it right off the power supply at 12 volts DC.

[jdbnsn]

you should post those as pics rather than links, links are no fun :(

[Mitternacht]

you should post those as pics rather than links, links are no fun :(

Those pics are 1024 by 768. Now that would be breaking the rules' limit which is 640 by 480, right? :D

Also, I got some of the pieces drawn up on the plexi; too bad it's too late to cut it all out. My dad's gone to bed already.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2014.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2015.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2016.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2017.jpg

[jdbnsn]

Those pics are 1024 by 768. Now that would be breaking the rules' limit which is 640 by 480, right?


No, you can post any size pic you want. Anything that is over 799px wide will be automatically resized to fit the screen.

[Zephik]

Hey I have the same cell phone! Except its still in its box, all wrapped up, brand new. I've had it for about a year now, keep on planning to sell it, but I never get around to it. lol

That is one giant piece of plexi! O.O

[Mitternacht]

Now I can cut the plexi.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2018.jpg
The motherboard tray and drive holders:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2019.jpg
My mock-up boards, a stock Xbox motherboard and my blown K9A Platinum out of Wiedergeboren.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2020.jpg
Square; an excellent tool to have.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2021.jpg
Checking the position of the motherboard:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2022.jpg
I used a sample piece to find the right size hole and right tap for the motherboard mounts.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2023.jpg
Now, what tap to use?
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2024.jpg
8/32?
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2026.jpg
Yes, just the right size.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2027.jpg
My template to drill the holes:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2028.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2029.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2030.jpg
Now to tap the holes:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2031.jpg
And the PC board is mounted.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2032.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2033.jpg
Now to drill and tap the Xbox's mounts...
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2034.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2035.jpg
and the tray is done.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2036.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2037.jpg
Now what I could do is file all the edges of the pieces I cut smooth.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2038.jpg
It takes forever...
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2039.jpg
Tip: To take up less time filing stuff like this smooth, I used some compressed air occasionally to blast all the plastic off of the file.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2040.jpg
More filing,
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2041.jpg
and I'm done for tonight.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2042.jpg

I may redo the motherboard tray when I decide on the width of the case. the determining factor is the front panel. Then I can make the back panel and decide if I need to move the motherboard in further, which looks like what I'll have to do. Moving it in will also help the Xbox motherboard's IDE cable reach the DVD/HDD.

[TheGreatSatan]

Mobo tray looks good!

[billygoat333]

nice, i likes the tray a lot! +rep.

[Mitternacht]

Look at what came from eBay!
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2051.jpg
Upon inspection, they sent me a used screen.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2052.jpg
Who cares; time to mod.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2053.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2054.jpg
4 screws hold 2 brackets which secure the screen forward. Now I don't have to build any mounting brackets; just mounts.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2055.jpg
Very simple.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2056.jpg
And I traced it to 1:1 on my template paper. 156*89mm opening is just perfect for the screen.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/DSCN2057.jpg

See you next week! :D

[Matrix-D]

Looking very cool man. Can't wait to see more.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Yep I agree, can't wait to see how the screen turns out.

[Mitternacht]

Sorry about leaving this project on the back burner, going to Home Depot to look for some mounting hardware tonight!

[Mitternacht]

I bought acrylic corner cubes for the case, so it'll be easy to assemble and disassemble.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2557.jpg

I also kinda have a plan on lengthening the wires for the power/eject button control board so it will reach the front panel, and also being careful that I do not mix up the wires I have wire #9 marked on both ends with a sharpie.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2558.jpg

Oh, and since then I've bought a 32" plasma, here it is with XBlueXModX and Drei sechzig, my Xbox mods.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/Mitternacht/DSCN2559.jpg

[The boy 4rm oz]

YAY update, long time no see.