Project: My Black Box

[vastonecat]

Ok so I originally submitted this in the wrong place. It looks like this is the correct place now.

First just a little back story on why I needed a new PC. My last one burnt up and was put out by me with a fire extinguisher after running 3 weeks with a new raid card and vid card.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/101_0245.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/101_0253.jpg
So the first pic has the melted vid card and the second shows the fried raid card after removing the vid card.
So I want/need a new computer.
Order some goodies!
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/101_0257.jpg
My new Phenom quad core proc a 950 watt PSU from Rosewill and a K9A P{latinum MOBO Sweet!
The new case!
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0336.jpg
the White you see through the slots is my dvd drive from the last PC (may it rest in pieces) I intend to replace it later but not yet.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0337.jpg
Sorry I got excited and mounted everything right away without taking pics.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0338.jpg
so a little closer shot of the insides.
I quickly realized the scythe CPU cooler was too big for the case.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0278.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0277.jpg
couldn't get the side door to close! It sticks out like an inch too far! So I need a Bump out to cover it and since its in the way of the side fan might as well incorporate a new fan as well. So a quick run to the hardware store gets me a new piece of sheet metal for only $5.06. Now at home I go ahead and tape it off and mark out the cut lines.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0275.jpg
and some fan grills to show a little better how it should look finished.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0288.jpg
Ok all cut and ready for bending. so a shot of my bending machine.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0293.jpg
and another with the bent box in place to give you a better idea how it was done.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0294.jpg
Bent into shape, but still needs glue to hold the sides in place and a little TLC from a set of files.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0292.jpg
So now to start on the cut out from the side door. first a Little tape so I dont muck it up too much.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0295.jpg
and a little shot of my work area/ garage. and yes that is the main source of light for now.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0296.jpg
All taped up with the cut marks layed out.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0297.jpg
and the test fit on the case. fits!
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0301.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0302.jpg
here is a shot to show you how much the scythe cooler sticks out after I get the door on.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0325.jpg
got the bumb out mounted and need to get some bondo for it.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0325.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0327.jpg
and a shot of the tabs in place holding the bump out in place.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0333.jpg
This is as far as I have gotten. Hope It whets your appetite some. There is a whole laundry list of things I still need to do here put in a blowhole on the front clean up the wiring with some black sleevingand a few other things im just not sure about yet. Well if you have any questions or comments please post and if you have complaints well I suppose you can post those too. I would love to hear some suggestions from you guys.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Looks good so far buddy, sucks about your old PC. I have seen CCFL inverters do the same thing.

[Braveheart]

i love that case, what graphics card did you get for the new rig?

[The boy 4rm oz]

Looks like a HIS Ice Cool Radeon of some sort, like the other.

[si-skyline]

I like your workaround from the shortness of your case xD

[vastonecat]

i love that case, what graphics card did you get for the new rig?

That card is an old MSI NX8600GTS.
Its the one I had upgraded from when My old PC burnt up. I will be upgrading again in the future.

[blueonblack]

Love the case you chose, it looked pretty sweet even stock, but your solution for the space issue was excellent. :)
________
TACUMA (http://www.chevy-wiki.com/wiki/Chevrolet_Tacuma)

[sgerbitz]

+rep
+Subscribe

[vastonecat]

Thanks for the rep guys and the patience I must have caught the flu bug cause I haven't been any good to anybody since the last post.
I did sand the side down and get some bondo on it but the rest will wait till tomorrow at least when I can sand it and start the paint job hopefully. Once I get the side done I can fire it up and see if my drives survived or if I need new ones. then I will start the sleeving job. Thanks again for the rep and your patience.

[vastonecat]

Ok quick update tonight I finally got some bondo on this piece and did some sanding followed by more bondo and more sanding finally a bit of primer to show me where I need to do some more work.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0340.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0341.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0343.jpg
Well I'm sorry I dont have more but this is my first time working with bondo and its a little trickier than it seemed from the directions on the can. As you can see from the last shot I still have some work to do with getting the bondo smoothed out so I can paint it without it showing through.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Wet sand it to get all the grooves out of the Bondo for a perfect, smooth paint job.

[vastonecat]

Wet sand it to get all the grooves out of the Bondo for a perfect, smooth paint job.

Thanks I will try that.

Edit:: I tried it and it seems to be working like a charm! Still some work to do but now I have a better idea of how to do it. Thanks a lot for the suggestion!

[vastonecat]

It occured to me that I never posted a shot of the hard drives or said anything about the purpose of this system.
Below is the shot of my drives 2 x 250Gig and 2x 500Gig
the reason for so much is this is supposed to be a general purpose HTPC for gaming, surfing and storage of my dvd collection that I plan to save as AVI format unless someone has a better idea for that.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0283.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0344.jpg
and here is a shot of the front of the case open showinf off my new zalman fan controller and my old optical drive I intend to replace at a later date. I am going to go do some more work on the bondo now and will update again soon.

[PartyLikeARockstar]

Nice job so far. If it's gonna be your black box though, paint the chassis too, especially if you're gonna bondo it up! maybe a window that's black, but see-thru when CCFL's come on! Good luck. I'm subscribed.

[vastonecat]

Nice job so far. If it's gonna be your black box though, paint the chassis too, especially if you're gonna bondo it up! maybe a window that's black, but see-thru when CCFL's come on! Good luck. I'm subscribed.

Did you mean paint the interior? I had thought about that and will probably do so after I make sure the drives stilll work. I just wasn't sure how I would get an even coat on the inside of this case, and the bondo was just going to be for the one side where I added the bump out to help cover my deficiencies with metalworking. Well that and also for when I get around to adding the front blow-hole.

On a side note I also forgot to mention that I just got the Ubuntu 64 bit OS to install on this alongside vista so I can try them both and see which I prefer. never dealt with anything other than windows before but my experience with vista so far has me wanting to try anything else.

[PartyLikeARockstar]

Trade secret: Krylon Fusion. No prep, all results. Use it on metal, and it dries looking anodized. also melts into plastic and looks stock.

[vastonecat]

Trade secret: Krylon Fusion. No prep, all results. Use it on metal, and it dries looking anodized. also melts into plastic and looks stock.

Sweet I'll go get some this week and try it.:bowdown:

[vastonecat]

OK I'm really sorry that I dont have an update to speak of, for the last few posts I have been talking about the bondo Im putting on this door. Ok fine well and good except I am a total clutz with the stuff and I seem to take one step forward and two steps back with the stuff. I now have it almost smooth but have a few large pits that werent there before and when I mix it I can never seem to get the ratio right as it seems to take forever to dry all the way through. I read in one of the other threads here about someone using some spray filler and was wondering if anyone knew where I might find that and what it is called? This really should not be taking me this long for the little area it is to cover ... except that it is.

[modaholic]

Looks pretty good. I like your bending machine ^_^.
I have a question. What started the fire in the first place?

[vastonecat]

Looks pretty good. I like your bending machine ^_^.
I have a question. What started the fire in the first place?

I am not sure exactly, as the the rig was running idle and I happened to be home for lunch. when I was about to leave, the smoke alarm went off upstairs and the rig was downstairs on fire. ( The stairs in the house allowed the smoke to reach the top floor before they got condensed enough to set off the alarm.) When I opened the side of the case to put out the fire the raid card was the one burning. the rig had been running mostly idle for 3 weeks since I had added the new vid card the raid card and 2 new 500gig saata drives.

[modaholic]

I am not sure exactly, as the the rig was running idle and I happened to be home for lunch. when I was about to leave, the smoke alarm went off upstairs and the rig was downstairs on fire. ( The stairs in the house allowed the smoke to reach the top floor before they got condensed enough to set off the alarm.) When I opened the side of the case to put out the fire the raid card was the one burning. the rig had been running mostly idle for 3 weeks since I had added the new vid card the raid card and 2 new 500gig saata drives.

Thats interesting, I have no experience with RAID cards. Hmmmm, I guess it's just one of those mysteries then. Kind of reminds me of two weeks ago. Only this was at robotics competition and this team was using a computer with 95 on it. their PSU went kaboom. It was interesting. Helped them put it out and salvaged the hard drive, RAM (which was crap) and a few other things. It was almost funny, but they lost their current AutoCad project on it; which sucked for them.

[vastonecat]

Ok, I'm done with the bondo and am waiting for a dusting of primer to dry before I put on another coat and then start to paint. My hat is off to you guys that use bondo on all your mods ... you guys have the patience of a saint!
Turns out that I was using too rough a sandpaper to get the bondo smooth, and instead chunks were coming off and I had to start all over again. Well once I have it painted and I will put it in place and show you what it comes out looking like. After that the next thing I will do is work on the PSU wiring as I have plenty of power but way too many cables coming off of it. Has anyone modded a PSU so that it is modular or do you guys just buy them that way?

[vastonecat]

Ok so I realize I am a total clutz with bondo and I have spent twice as much time on this and used 4 times as much bondo in order to achieve half the results the rest of you guys get but here are the pics for the first layer of actual paint , not primer to go on to this bump out. not yet dry and still needing a wet sanding that I will do with some 300 grit for the first coat then 400 on the second.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0875.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0876.jpg
so anyways I told you guys that I have a rats nest of cables from my PSU, so here is a pic of that mess as well.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0877.jpg
So as you can see while the cables are sleeved black from the PSU
there are just so many of them that it is a real issue both aesthetically as well as in relation to airflow. So my question is has anybody done a mod where they have made a modular PSU out of one that wasn't modular? I would appreciate some ideas for connectors as far as that is concerned. The PSU I have is a 900Watt Rosewill so there is plenty of power but the connections are weird like you get 3 molex power connectors and one for a fan on a sleeve of cables or something like that. It boils down to a big mess and Im gonna have to break out my soldering iron to clean it up.
On a different note I picked up this REALLY thin piece of transparent blue PVC that I will use to back the fan-gaurd that will cover the CPU Cooler so that the air from the fan below it doesn't go right back out of the case instead of cooling components.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0878.jpg

Ok so like always I would really appreciate some input and ideas for this build. I looked into the Krylon Fusion and found that it is sold mainly by ACE Hardware so I will pick some up tommorrow so I can paint the inside when I am ready.

[The boy 4rm oz]

That side looks 100% better than it did before. I told you the wet sand would work lol ;).

[vastonecat]

That side looks 100% better than it did before. I told you the wet sand would work lol ;).

Thank you very much for the tip OZ I really noticed a HUGE difference from dry to wet sanding but I didn't change the grit from 100 to 220 until after it caused several large chunks of bondo to pop off the edges. I'm posting this so hopefully someone will learn from my mistakes.:(

[BigJohnson]

Looking good so far. Im going to keep my eye on this.
+Rep

[gntlkilr]

what I would like to know is what kind of case is that? And where did you get it? I've seen them around, and I cannot get one shipped to APO. But I want it. that would be sweet for my exchange server, with a few mods of course.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Agreed, love the case! Even better with a big ol' side vent, of course. :D

[modaholic]

Your PSU wiring kind of scares me, no offense

[vastonecat]

Your PSU wiring kind of scares me, no offense

none taken I got the PSU at a great deal but it came with sooo many pre sleeved cables that I cant use them all. I am looking for some connectors I can use to make it modular and try to clean it all up. I can't decide if I want something like a microphone connector or just find the appropriate black molex connectors. Either way I will have to order them as none of the local stores have them in stock. It seems the hard part will be making sure I order the right part.... have you seen some of these online catalogs? Who can order a part with a description like 4 pin connector male? You don't have a picture or anything
to show you whether or not its round or square.

[vastonecat]

what I would like to know is what kind of case is that? And where did you get it? I've seen them around, and I cannot get one shipped to APO. But I want it. that would be sweet for my exchange server, with a few mods of course.

This case is a Black Mini Cube ATX Server Computer Cases, YY-0221
And can be found here http://www.directron.com/yy0221bk.html
Have fun with it It is a great case so far no real complaints:)

[vastonecat]

I finished this side!
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0936.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0940.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0939.jpg

Sorry I dont have any powered shots I will get some tommorrow when I crank it up... too scared to try it tonight and still get some sleep if the HDD's are bad. After that test I will strip it all back down and paint the inside with Krylon Fusion black satin, start the front blow hole and also tackle all the stray wires in there.
So catch you guys on the flipside.

[modaholic]

none taken I got the PSU at a great deal but it came with sooo many pre sleeved cables that I cant use them all. I am looking for some connectors I can use to make it modular and try to clean it all up. I can't decide if I want something like a microphone connector or just find the appropriate black molex connectors. Either way I will have to order them as none of the local stores have them in stock. It seems the hard part will be making sure I order the right part.... have you seen some of these online catalogs? Who can order a part with a description like 4 pin connector male? You don't have a picture or anything
to show you whether or not its round or square.
Ummmm, well...hmmm, I don't think that I have seen any catalogs, I would guess ebay. I mostly buy my stuff directly from the store, I don't know why. But if I were you I would just go with the molex connectors, because there is a higher chance of finding them. Good luck. ^_^

[vastonecat]

Quick update I got the courage up to hit the power button today and all the fans came on... thats all. I couldn't get any signal to the monitor so maybe the old video card wasn't up to snuff any more. trip to the store and deduct a few points from the wife approval factor and I wind up with this.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0957.jpg

I get it installed and ... nothing. Ok I spend the next hour going over every part of the setup and find not 1 but 2 glaring mistakes.
1. I didn't populate the memory slots according to the rules as stated in the user manual.
2. I neglected to connect the 4 pin power for the CPU duuuuuh.

Well I get the memory corrected and start on the power issue only to find that the cables are 6 inches too short. I guess that PSU mod I was talking about will happen sooner rather than later. In the morning I will take out the PSU and tally up all the connections I will need for this build, add a few for expansion then set about finding the supplies for it all. And yes I will take more pics of the PSU mod and post them here. Hmm come to think about it since I will have the PSU out I might as well strip everything else out and go ahead and paint the interior at the same time. Well, we will see.

[The boy 4rm oz]

That looks very nice, great job.

[vastonecat]

Thanks OZ, I appreciate that.:banana:

[vastonecat]

Quick update. Here is a pic of the cpu power cable that was too short ( found a quick fix for that teel you in a moment.)
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0961_2.jpg

And a quick shot of my memory now in the correct position.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_09642.jpg

Can anyone tell me the purpose of these plastic pieces? I thought they might be to hold extra rails for the 5 1/4 bays but they don't seem to fit.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0972.jpg

Now back to work stripping the gear from the other side and getting everything ready for paint.
I should have some sort of update later today.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Heh, I've got an SLI board with an x1950Pro, and you've got a Crossfire board and an 8800GTS...

Those plastic bits are there to steady old full-length PCI cards. Since nobody uses those anymore, feel free to cut them away. :) Apparently that case is configured for backplane boards as well (where the entire board is expansion slots and the CPU lives on a riser card, Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backplane))... wow.

[gntlkilr]

This case is a Black Mini Cube ATX Server Computer Cases, YY-0221
And can be found here http://www.directron.com/yy0221bk.html
Have fun with it It is a great case so far no real complaints:)

Sweet. I've been looking for something EXACTLy like this. My wife hates plain block cases. But I gotta admit, I prefer them. Ah well. Gotta do something to raise the WAF.

[vastonecat]

Heh, I've got an SLI board with an x1950Pro, and you've got a Crossfire board and an 8800GTS...

Those plastic bits are there to steady old full-length PCI cards. Since nobody uses those anymore, feel free to cut them away. :) Apparently that case is configured for backplane boards as well (where the entire board is expansion slots and the CPU lives on a riser card, Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backplane))... wow.

Thanks for the info ...it kinda makes sense as the case is originally a server case.

Ok, quick update. First here is the Mobo side emptied and ready for paint.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0973.jpg

you can see the 5 1/4 rack through the pass through for cables and having already had this set up once I can tell you that the fit for the cables is tight once you have the Mobo in place. So I will need to trim that portion out.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0975.jpg

This is the bay side filled with my Hdd's and a LOT
of cables (gotta clean that up).

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0977.jpg

This is my PSU with the cables sorted to those I can use without modding (by themselves) those that need a little modding (with the scissors) and those I don't need in this configuration (with the Screwdriver).

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0981.jpg
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0982.jpg
so from these 2 pics and without opening it yet it is clear that without relocating the fan next to the cables I will be unable to make this a Modular PSU ...unless I put the cable ports on the top.... worth thinking about.

a quick shot of the positioning for the LED for Hdd activity and such before I take them out to paint the casing... more for reference than anything else.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0986.jpg

Ok, this grill has to go if I'm gonna put in a blow-hole.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0987.jpg

A shot of the empty bays getting ready for paint.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0988.jpg

A shot of the grill cut out. Needs some more grinding and filing.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0991.jpg

And cleaned up.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0993.jpg

Here's another shot of the portion of the cage I will need to remove.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0995.jpg

I am Officially Gay for Krylon Fusion!!! This stuff is awesome!

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0996.jpg

these shots were all taken after I ran out of the one can I had purchased earlier in the week. went back today but ACE is closed on Sundays here.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0997.jpg

Yes I saw that spot on the riser were it needs another coat.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0998.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1000.jpg

In the last shot you can see where I removed thatt portion of the 5 1/4 bay so it wont interfere with the cable pass-through.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1001.jpg

But here is a better shot just in case.

Well that is all for now. I am going to do some sleeving now and maybe take a closer look at that PSU.:D

[The boy 4rm oz]

Paint looks good, you need to do a few more coats though, you missed some spots in the cracks.

[vastonecat]

Paint looks good, you need to do a few more coats though, you missed some spots in the cracks.

Yah I know I only bought the 1 can and of course ran out, then the place I bought it from was closed today :( so I have to wait till tomorrow to get some more.

[DonT-FeaR]

bet you didnt tell ur wife was it that you might not of needed that graphics card after all did ya :P nice work keep it up

[vastonecat]

bet you didnt tell ur wife was it that you might not of needed that graphics card after all did ya :P nice work keep it up

SSSHHHHHHH!!!!!!!:D

[vastonecat]

Heh, I've got an SLI board with an x1950Pro, and you've got a Crossfire board and an 8800GTS...
.

Hmm ... Good point. can anybody tell me about running 2 vid cards on this Mobo WITHOUT the cross fire cables or would I really need them and so need to return this card and get something else?
The main purpose of this mod is HTPC using my 50" Samsung for a screen for viewing movies and general computing purposes.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1002.jpg

Here is a shot of the screen I would use when someone else (read Kids) want to play the Wii or Ps2, or watch satellite tv.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1004.jpg

And here is where "My Black Box" will call home once it is finished. It will sit on the bottom shelf with the first glass shelf removed. I intend to store all our cd's and dvd's on this machine so out goes that cd player there.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1003.jpg

So back to my question ...Namely should I return this card so I can get one rated for Crossfire and get another later on to work with it?:? Or will I even notice a difference? :?

[Ap1thy]

supposedly ATi has always had better image quality for movies and such. Now with the G92 I dont know if that has been resolved. I perosnally own a HD3870 and am very pleased with it. If you're just watching vids and dont intend to game much, you would do fine with even a 3850

[vastonecat]

supposedly ATi has always had better image quality for movies and such. Now with the G92 I dont know if that has been resolved. I perosnally own a HD3870 and am very pleased with it. If you're just watching vids and dont intend to game much, you would do fine with even a 3850

While I am not a Hardcore gamer who plays 5 or more games I was COMPLETELY addicted to World of Warcraft for about 2 yrs, and now intend to expand my gaming and try out some others . For example I purchased Elder scrolls III Morrowind on a whim and have yet to try it out, and keep hearing nice things about Crysis as well.:bunny:

[The boy 4rm oz]

Get Oblivion, it's awesome.

[vastonecat]

Ok when I went back to Ace Hardware they only had 1 can left of the Krylon Fusion in black satin finish. so here is where that got me.
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1008.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1009.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1010.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1011.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1012.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1013.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1014.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1015.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1018.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1019.jpg

The last couple of shots are what I have left to paint... when they get more of the same paint in.

[vastonecat]

Ok, enough with the paint updates you all can see its gonna be black. So here this morning I thought I would finally void the warranty on my PSU. first a few pics of the victim.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1021.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1027.jpg
Yup!

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1028.jpg
Officially voided!

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1029.jpg
This sticker didn't come off nearly as easy ... I will try some soap and water after I get the cover off. Oh, here is the handy tool I used to remove the stickers.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1030.jpg

So officially voided the warranty and haven't taken a screwdriver to it yet. Don't worry I'm going to get right on it and will post an update later today.

[vastonecat]

Ok so here is the update for the PSU and I warn you its pretty anti-climactic but I learned some things.
First the tools used to open it up.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1033.jpg

Now the top cover with all the screws removed and lined up in order.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1034.jpg

The Guts!

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1036.jpg

All the hardware holing the fan and front plate on.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1037.jpg

Here take a look at how they had this plate attached to all sides top, bottom, left, right, and front.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1038.jpg

Well I have enough space to relocate the fan to the top if I want but I would need a bracket for that, and since I don't have enough space left to mount the connectors I want then I am just going to have to build a new enclosure for this PSU.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1042.jpg

A look at the size wire I will need for most of this.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1044.jpg

Some measurements of current box dimensions.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1053.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1056.jpg

So that's it for now.
Things left to do...
1. Finish the paint on assorted parts as shown in the previous posts.
2. Find and order a black slot-load dvd/rw.
3. Finish sleeving the cables.
4. Fabricate the PSU enclosure.
5. Reconfigure the PSU cables.
6. Assemble the machine and turn it on.
7. Manufacture the 2 front Blow-holes.

Plenty to keep me busy even if I didn't work a split week full time job, and have a family life to tend to as well.:bunny:

[vastonecat]

Ok I know i haven't been updating but there is good reason. I haven't done anything...well other than a little sleeving and some modding to the PSU cables, (but not the major PSU overhaul I have planned). today i did some dumpster diving at one of our buildings for work and came up with some good lengths of conduit, conduit connectors and a shell piece from s roadside housing that had been runover. Also a friend gave me a Gateway Pentuim III as a donor PC for my next build. I will post pics later tonight.

[vastonecat]

Ok here are the pics I promised of the results of my dumpster dive, then the donor comp for my next project.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1057-1.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1058.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1059.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1060.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1064.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1065.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1066.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1067.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1070.jpg

So that is the new rig it runs but slow so I will boot it up and see if i want to even attempt to clean it or just load a new operating system before I start to mod it. Well later!

[The boy 4rm oz]

You got some good stuff there.

[modaholic]

Looking good! What kind of a case are you going to be making for the PSU? Will it glow :D ?

[985323]

Looking good, will you have any lighting in the finshed product?

[vastonecat]

Looking good, will you have any lighting in the finshed product?

I am going to have a single cluster of 5 led lighting the top of the cpu cooler and then just the fans will be lit but there will be 4 case fans lit (120mm) and the 2 in the PSU. Remember this will be a HTPC and while I want it to look sharp I dont want to be blinded by it while watching vids.

As far as the PSU case that is on hold for the moment I still plan on doing it just not sure yet how I will lay it out as the space I am putting it in will only allow me to make it a little longer, not taller. Also I reassembled everything again to try to get it to boot and even with making triple certain I had all the right connections in place ...nothing but fans and power supply came on. no video output to the screens, no power led, no hdd led, at this point I beleive I either have a bad Mobo or a bad processor. As I don't have anything to test either with I will take it to the local shop today to see what's up with it. :redface:
On a lighter note I will start the 2 blowholes as soon as I get back from my brothers wedding next week in Tennessee. :banana:

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Ahh good, some inspiration for when I do my Gateway case. It's already got a spot for a 120, soooo...

I quite like how this is going... which mod'll the scavenged bits be part of?

[vastonecat]

Ahh good, some inspiration for when I do my Gateway case. It's already got a spot for a 120, soooo...

I quite like how this is going... which mod'll the scavenged bits be part of?

well those bits will be mods for my boys comps... I plan to Blatantly rip off the idea in "Moditor (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13823)" for my youngest comp and use the actual case for my oldest comp. If I can find them, I will try to integrate touch screens into both mods. However these all come after the all important and wife driven bathroom mod. I will still try to work on them some in between bouts with the bathroom tile but you know how that goes!
On another note I took "My Black Box" to Golden Tech computers today and turned it over for some diagnostics to see why only the fans power up. They charge $65 for the diagnostics and I won't hear anything until probably Tuesday of next week. Once I get it back I can line up the blowholes on the front cover as I should have done before I turned it over ..as I am looking at the front cover now, and am unable to do anything to it. :down:

[DonT-FeaR]

.. i am not amused =(

[vastonecat]

.. i am not amused =(
I intend to give full credit to you for the basic Idea but I will not be following your every step. And fully intend to have a look that will be nothing like "Moditor (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13823)"

[DonT-FeaR]

stilll..... grr

its k dont post the worklog u will make me look bad =)

[vastonecat]

stilll..... grr

its k dont post the worklog u will make me look bad =)

LOL as IF! :D

Seriously the new mod is going to be called DoubleTrouble (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14075) and the thread is started but it will be a while before I really get going on it. Till then I am open to ideas and suggestions. :banana:

[vastonecat]

Quickie update. I was kicking around trying to see if there was anything I could do while My Black Box was being checked out at GT computers.
And I found a plate I had marked but not gotten around to cutting. As it turned out it was for a filler plate for the drive bays so I could mount another 120mm fan for the second blowhole. I made short work of that and this is the result ( going to wait for My Black Box to get back to fit it in place and paint it).

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1255.jpg

This is a shot of just the front cover and the red spots are where I intend to put the blowholes. Notice that one of them is smack on the edge of the door. That should make things more interesting.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_1256_2.jpg

[vastonecat]

I went by Golden Tech computers today to check up on My Black Box, and the tech had not even glanced at it yet, instead he was cowering under a pile of other pc's that had come in before mine as if they were more important... as if. JK. Actually the guy was pretty swamped :eek: and the helper didn't come in today but he might get to look at it in the morning. :banana:

On a brighter note I got this new toy from a friend of ours that runs a nail shop. Yes, ladies finger nail painting. My only problem with it is it is purple. Oh well.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_12682.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_12692.jpg

Thats right it has a variable power supply that takes it up to 30,000 rpm, and has a foot pedal control!

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_12732.jpg

It even has spare brushes for when they wear down. This little thing stays very cool in the hand instead of building up as much heat as a dremel will, while being much more compact in the hand.
I can't wait to see what it can really do in the shop. ;)
And all for the low price of $200 USD. :( As I said it was a friend and I had asked if he could look into one for me next thing I know he went and ordered one special for me. ( so why did it have to be PURPLE??? ) Well maybe I can paint it. :devious:

[DonT-FeaR]

sweet i can see your next mod already.

[vastonecat]

sweet i can see your next mod already.

LOL yeah but everything will have to wait for a few days at least as I am going to my brothers wedding on Saturday and I leave town tomorrow to attend all the prerequisites. After that All mods compete with house renovations for time. :(

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/floorplan.jpg

Okay now follow me here ... Room 1 has my youngest in it now, and room 2 has my oldest. We will move child from room 1 to room 2 for a weekend so we can put in new carpet and wallpaper paint whatever. Then move both children from room 2 into room 1. Then we move my wife and I from room 3 to room 2 and gut rooms 3,5,6, where 5 is our current master bathroom and room 6 was a laundry room accessed from the hall. Room 4 is now the all important bathroom for community use while all of this is going on. After the new room 3 is finished and room 5 is expanded into room 6, the wife and I move back into room 3 and room 2 becomes my study ....I think. But that is what My black box and DoubleTrouble (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14075) have to compete against. :dead:
Well anyways maybe I can sneak in some mod time here and there.
Oh yeah I almost forgot when we gut rooms 3,5,6, we also will redo the ceiling in my garage workshop below room 3 so I get better lighting and also some more power outlets to make it a better workshop for modding. :banana:

[DonT-FeaR]

wow lots n lots of work ahead good luck mate

[vastonecat]

Ok just got off the phone with Golden tech computers and they say the ENTIRE problem was..... incompatibility. I bought the wrong mobo. The one I purchased was the MSI K9A Platinum and the one I wanted was the MSI K9A2 Platinum. I should have paid closer attention when I went to order it. Both the mobo and processor work fine if placed with compatible parts. Sooooo I get to shop around for another mobo for a AMD phenom proccessor. Any suggestions?

And thanks to Don't Fear for all the comments and support!

[The boy 4rm oz]

I don't know much about the Phenoms, but you are making good progress.

EDIT: What about this mobo?
Linky:
http://techreport.com/discussions.x/13675

[vastonecat]

I don't know much about the Phenoms, but you are making good progress.

EDIT: What about this mobo?
Linky:
http://techreport.com/discussions.x/13675

Thanks for the tip but I went with the one I originally thought I ordered the MSI K9A2 Platinum.
Sorry no pics guys my camera is in my wife's car. (gotta remember to get it out tonight.
Well I received my mobo today and like any good geek I put it in for a test fit right away. It was at this time that I discovered that I have to completely rethink the door over the CPU cooler as the CPU is now at least 2 inches over from its position on the last board and my cooler will again no longer allow the door to close. :mad: Either that or order a smaller cooler. :(

[Tavarin]

Either that or order a smaller cooler.

You should look into the Zalman CNPS 9500 or 9700. They're amazing coolers, considered some of the best air coolers, and they'll fit into any standard case, so they could easily fit into yours.

By the way, great progress so far, keep it up.

[gntlkilr]

hey man, I ordered this case for an updated case for my media server. Man, it has SO much potential. THe only thing I can't figure out is, why is there a marking for a Turbo LED, but no LED there?????? LOL

[vastonecat]

hey man, I ordered this case for an updated case for my media server. Man, it has SO much potential. THe only thing I can't figure out is, why is there a marking for a Turbo LED, but no LED there?????? LOL

Thats one of the things I was wondering about! LOL
It truly is an underated case and you are absolutely right about the potential. If it comes into the right hands it will truly become a masterpiece! :D

[gntlkilr]

I'll admit, I'm stealing (nicely taking the idea??) that idea of the mobo side side panel over your CPU cooler? Yeah. But I think I'm gonna go with the Air intake idea, like a hood scoop, or maybe a F15 turbine intake. Something to that effect. I think I'm gonna run the Scythe passive (massive) cooler.

Either way, keep this project going man, I'm diggin it. I'll be downrange soon and I need my computer pr0n! (My wife calls in the process of being modded computers naked. Thus computer pr0n). LOL

[vastonecat]

Go right ahead and go for it!
What point is a good idea if its not used right? just test your rig before you start on the bump-out. I just finished ordering this Zalman CNPS 9500 and so will no longer actually need the bump out to cover my scythe cooler that I originally had.. I wil now move the Aerocool 2000 turbine fan I had on the scythe to the top slot of the bump out so that there will now be two 120mm tubine fans as intakes on the side and and another 2 ( the aerocool 3000 turbines) in the front.
As for the scoop turbine ideas here are some pics to get your thought process flowing.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0403.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0404.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0413.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0414.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0419.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg259/vastonecat/100_0371.jpg

These pics were taken at the National Air and Space Mueseum along RT28 near Dulles Virginia. I just thought they might help.

[gntlkilr]

I'm lovin it.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

(My wife calls in the process of being modded computers naked. Thus computer pr0n). LOL

Then I've got a proper orgy in my basement! :D

Hope them there scoops inspire ya. Looking forward to two of these going!