Project Strapped

[Drum Thumper]

I originally had plans to post this a bit down the road, but I have all the basic equipment on hand now, so as a wise man once said....there's no better time than the present, right?

This project, once completed, will serve as my home "sandbox"; in other words, this machine is going to take some OS abuse. Right now, I am in need of a home drupal hosting setup, so that's the niche this machine will fill.

And like my Frankenstripe mod, this system will eventually have a music theme. However, I am not going to divulge the exact theme I have chosen until a later date that is only known to me (although I am more than certain that more than one of the members here can figure it out). I have the paint job planned out in my head, however, since it is getting close to winter here in Montana, I'll have to put the painting off until next spring...maybe. Kinda depends on the weather this time of year.

So here's what I have acquired for this build:

1 HP Pavillion Case
1 ASUS A7V133-ML Motherboard
1 AMD Duron processor rated at 900 Mhz
1 gig of PC 133 RAM (2x512MB)
3 cans of flat krylon paint--white, dark gray and black
1 80 gig Maxtor hard drive

I also ordered a pair of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812104035) tonight as well. Damn PATA drives lol.

And finally, before I start getting hammered with the :pics:...:D

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/ProjectStrapped008.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/ProjectStrapped006.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/ProjectStrapped005.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/ProjectStrapped004.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/ProjectStrapped002.jpg

Stay tuned, this one's gonna go to eleven!

[DonT-FeaR]

fk yeah!!!! 11 wooo


whats that from.... pod?

anyway.... good luck with the mod and im looking forward to seeing it

linux inside?? lol

[SXRguyinMA]

I'll hafta watch this one :up:

[Yeticorn]

Gonna be keeping an eye on this, look forward to seeing what creative ideas come up!

[Drum Thumper]

whats that from.... pod?




Huh wha?

[nevermind1534]

I have that same computer, or at least one very close to it.

[Drum Thumper]

Staying true to form, I am currently back to the drawing board, as this motherboard has some "issues". It'll POST but then do nothing. I have reason to believe that the RAM might be at fault, so I'm looking into some alternatives in my limited stock on hand.

Worst case scenario, I end up buying something cheap off of Ebay.

Stay tuned!

[mittelmeier]

Hopefully it's something simple like the RAM. I can't wait to see some work on this. +sub

[nevermind1534]

Staying true to form, I am currently back to the drawing board, as this motherboard has some "issues". It'll POST but then do nothing. I have reason to believe that the RAM might be at fault, so I'm looking into some alternatives in my limited stock on hand.

Worst case scenario, I end up buying something cheap off of Ebay.

Stay tuned!

Is the heatsink on tight? That is a problem with these computers. If it's not on good, it will freeze up on the bios splash screen I don't know if this is your problem, though.

[Liquid_Scope_99]

i worked on one like that and the way they have the os on a back up drive and all that stuff you gotta get the jumpers and all that right on a diffrent drive to get it to boot or idid it was weird good luck cant wait to see the start

[Drum Thumper]

i worked on one like that and the way they have the os on a back up drive and all that stuff you gotta get the jumpers and all that right on a diffrent drive to get it to boot or idid it was weird good luck cant wait to see the start

I think I found the problem, and it was user initiated. I busted out my PIII board and tried to get it to boot from cd drive. Wouldn't work. ****ING burner decided to be a bit wonky with me.

I've still got the PIII board up and running on its' little test area and am installing Fedora 9 at the moment. Once it is done, I'll transplant the pertinent equipment back into Strapped.

[Drum Thumper]

i worked on one like that and the way they have the os on a back up drive and all that stuff you gotta get the jumpers and all that right on a diffrent drive to get it to boot or idid it was weird good luck cant wait to see the start

I'm guessing that you are referring to slave/master vs cable select.

I do know this: this board does NOT like fedora. So I'll save that disk for another day lol. Right now I'm nearly done installing xubuntu 8.04, the drive that it is installing on is set to master, and it is the only drive on that ide slot (optical is on the other one).

And totally off topic....it seems another member here has had some experience this board in the past. (http://www.motherboardpoint.com/t22992-a7v133-amp-48-bit-lba.html) Dave, throw me a bone here!

[DonT-FeaR]

pod = pick of destiny... lol

[Drum Thumper]

pod = pick of destiny... lol

Nope. It's from a movie well before your time:

d54UU-fPIsY

[Bopher]

Nope. It's from a movie well before your time

Its been a while but is that Spinal Tap I see. Or I could still be to tired from last night.

[gntlkilr]

Yeah, its Spinal Tap. Awesome-ness on video.

[Drum Thumper]

This is quickly becoming a dead end. I can get linux to boot, but only if I run a live CD (xubuntu 8.04) and choose to boot from the hard drive. System hangs if I try to let it boot normally.

The best thing that my Dad ever taught me was to have a backup plan, so...

Remember the old workhorse PIII board from my other builds? Looks like it has found a new home once again. Have no fear, I have other plans in store for my two other builds, and I will be shuffling motherboards--my Socket 939 will end up in the server and I'm thinking a Tricore AM2 for Frankenstripe at the moment.

This actually works out quite well--the 939 has SATA, something the PIII is lacking unless I get an add in card.

One other small obstacle to overcome--the PIII board is ATX, the HP case is micro ATX. Looks like I'll be buying a case for this build after all. And I know exactly which case is gonna work perfectly for this...the 300 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&Tpk=antec%20300). After much reviewing over the last few days, this case complements what I'm going to attempt to achieve quite well.

Sigh, one of these days I'll sit down, make a plan, and disallow feature creep (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feature_creep) lol.

Off to Newegg I go. I'll be ordering this a piece at a time.

[SXRguyinMA]

hey DT...check this out...maybe you can use it :up:

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?p=211750#post211750

[Drum Thumper]

hey DT...check this out...maybe you can use it :up:

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?p=211750#post211750

I was looking at that. I've used Biostar boards in the past and have mixed feelings about them.

+rep for looking out for my best interests!

[SXRguyinMA]

no prob :up: I'm sure someone will scoop it up, especially @ that price. I got my mobo with my athlon and a video card for rockin case from him, great guy. if you decide to get it and need a "translator" so to speak (as I'm a long-time member there) let me know :D :up:

[Drum Thumper]

Minor update. Brown stopped by while I was at work and dropped off these:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/ProjectStrapped010.jpg

He'll be back in a couple of weeks with an Antec 300.

I've also been working on the paint scheme--this is most definitely going to be a very custom camouflage paintjob, the likes of which I will be revealing in roughly a month. Still plenty of work to do on it. I've got to give some mad mad props to Tony D (aka Commando) for his inspiring video tutorials. If anyone is looking for inspiration in the painting department, I highly recommend checking out his site, AirbrushTricks.com (http://www.airbrushtricks.com).

I've also got a few issues to work out with the LAMP configuration. SgtM and OvRiDe have been helpful so far, and both of them should be expecting more PM's in the near future.

Oh, and I've been toying with the notion of building a proper test station. I'll post some ideas later.

[DonT-FeaR]

looking forward to it..
this gets the dont fear tick of aproval :)

[Drum Thumper]

Software side work is now done. I can successfully use this setup for in house web development.

If anyone is interested, I could probably throw together a tutorial. In fact, I just might go ahead and do that and put it in the wiki.

So now...we play the waiting game. Well, you guys are playing the waiting game, I'll be putting the finishing touches on the camo design.

[KiLLERMAN21]

This one goes to 11.....

Lol, classic. The funny thing is, that Marshall did actually make a line of amps that go to 11. My bro so wants one, but theyre fairly rare.

[Drum Thumper]

This one goes to 11.....

Lol, classic. The funny thing is, that Mrshall did actually make a line of amps that go to 11. My bro so wants one, but theyre fairly rare.

Well...I shouldn't have to tell you this...but GO MOD ONE! :D

[aintnothang]

I have that same computer, or at least one very close to it.
me too!

[nevermind1534]

I have four HP Pavilion cases, three with working computers inside.

[ContraptionMaker]

I have the Antec 300 and it is a great case. It's all steel, so if your going to cut it up, make sure you have plenty of heavy duty cut off wheels!

[Drum Thumper]

I have the Antec 300 and it is a great case. It's all steel, so if your going to cut it up, make sure you have plenty of heavy duty cut off wheels!

I'm still deciding on whether or not I'll add a window. I might just so I can bling the insides a bit. We'll just have to wait and see.

[ContraptionMaker]

I'm still deciding on whether or not I'll add a window. I might just so I can bling the insides a bit. We'll just have to wait and see.

Definitely a window! :up:

[DonT-FeaR]

yeah window!!!!

[Drum Thumper]

If I put the window in though, that's less area that gets painted. This case will have very special meaning. As soon as I have this case in my possession, I will make my final decision.

I'll disclose the details on the paint scheme, plus the history behind what inspired me to do this within the first 12 days of next month.

[DonT-FeaR]

ok good to know.... im waiting for the month to roll over anyway

[SXRguyinMA]

next month? damn its only the 12th! lol

[DonT-FeaR]

yea i hate school and holidays start on the 15th of dec

so yeah wanna get to next month

[Drum Thumper]

I had an epiphany of sorts.

This HP board...it was acting quirky. I say was, because I think I figured out wtf was causing the system to hang at the startup screen.

The floppy drive.

I've been into computers for longer than some of our members have been alive (22 years give or take a few months), and rarely do these older systems get the best of me. Old tech, however, can be a double edged sword--it's not used all that much anymore, so there isn't much available on the net regarding it.

Long story short: hooked up a spare 3.5" floppy drive, re-enabled it in the BIOS, hit F10, and the machine instantly booted. No hang at the start.

So the PIII board gets relegated to other duties once again.

Oh, and two weeks until I describe the history behind the name of this build along with the inspiration.

[DonT-FeaR]

2weeks!!!! gosh i cant wait that long

[mittelmeier]

Glad you figured it out. +rep to you because I'm almost certain that's why the HP PIII board I have kept hanging up too. I'll have to hook one up and see if that works and I'll bet it will. Thanks.

[Drum Thumper]

And a minor-ish update. Looks like I won't be getting the Antec case after all. Can't beat the price of FREE lol:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/ProjectStrapped011.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/ProjectStrapped012.jpg

A full sized ATX case from the late 1990's, back when beige and steel were the kings of computer cases. This thing is heavy--28.2 lbs to be precise.

The only downside is the fact that the side panels and the top are all one piece. But hey, beggers cannot be choosers damnit!

So now that I have a case...I'll make a final decision on a window, or a series of small windows--we'll have to wait and see. Regardless, I'll be working some metal magic with this case. Hopefully, I won't be reinventing the steel this time around.

And finally, in case anyone is wondering what this beast used to house:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/ProjectStrapped013.jpg

[The boy 4rm oz]

It's DT, it has to be good ;). Subscribed.

[jdbnsn]

Ah yeah baby, a classic beige victim. Close the curtains and let the butchery begin! Actually, I have been thinking that these old beige cases seem to be overlooked as a great source of free, flat or shaped plastic to be carved up and used in a mod. I can't afford to buy styrene, so if I ever get back home and get a chance to work on anything I will probably be on the lookout for something like that. Besides, its like getting back to the roots right?

[Drum Thumper]

Ah yeah baby, a classic beige victim. Close the curtains and let the butchery begin! Actually, I have been thinking that these old beige cases seem to be overlooked as a great source of free, flat or shaped plastic to be carved up and used in a mod. I can't afford to buy styrene, so if I ever get back home and get a chance to work on anything I will probably be on the lookout for something like that. Besides, its like getting back to the roots right?

I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm going to have to come up with something fitting for case feet, as this case is currently feetless! I'll most likely will email estreetplastics for a quote on some of this (http://www.estreetplastics.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=108) in green cut in a disc shape. Throw some UV led's on each foot and give it a proper glow. I've got more than enough room within this case to work with, especially since I'm running a mATX board in a full ATX case.

I've got a relatively big day ahead of me tomorrow, so I'm off to bed.

[DonT-FeaR]

cool... ill be watching...

[Drum Thumper]

Case dimensions: 17" x 19" x 7.75"

Window concept(very quick sketchup):
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/strappedconceptwindow1.jpg

I have no idea what the dimensions are for the cuts, I just played around a bit in Sketchup. This is the design I keep coming back to, so I'm thinking that this will be what I end up doing. Very minimalistic, and leaves plenty of real estate for the paint job.

I'll use some translucent neonish green plex, and might add a fan on the side. I have the mobo in an open chasis at the moment and a large majority of the heat that is being generated seems to be coming from the RAM. I was actually surprised by this, as I was under the impression that this particular AMD chip seems to run a bit on the hot side. Then again, this system will not be seeing much use in the form of pegging the CPU, as its' primary function is a "sandbox" for in house web design and possibly some hosting of personal stuff.

I also managed to set a static IP address on this box as well last night. Pretty easy to do in Ubuntu, especially in a GUI environment. CLI is a bit more complicated, but a quick google is always very helpful.

[DonT-FeaR]

nice window... looks killer.

[The boy 4rm oz]

I am liking where this is going, much potential.

[Drum Thumper]

I've got a few other ideas I'm fleshing out as well. Stay tuned.

[DonT-FeaR]

do not skimp on anything... tell us all ur secrets !!!! :)

[Drum Thumper]

Worked out the dimensions of the window:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/windowdimensions.jpg

Six more days and I'll be ready to explain everything.

[The boy 4rm oz]

I like the design, run with it.

[DonT-FeaR]

wow looks sweet man..

[mittelmeier]

Looks great man. I dunno if I can wait six more days for the explanation though.

[Drum Thumper]

Well, you're all in luck. Christmas is coming a bit early:

Project Strapped: Behind the Scenes
It’s hard to believe that almost four years have passed since that fateful night. I can still remember how I heard what happened—a very good friend of mine called me and told me that there had been a shooting in a night club, and that people had been killed, among them Pantera/Damageplan guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Lance Abbott. Like many other fans, I was a bit shocked that this could happen, but given the way the world goes, I cannot say I was surprised that it happened. However, I figured it would have happened to any number of other “artists” who are/were a lot more extreme than Dimebag.
Four years…not that long of a time, but yet an eternity at the same time. I can remember a mere three years ago slamming back Black Tooth Grins (Crown Royal and a splash of Coke for those of you who are not in the know) with a couple of very close friends (one of which was the person who informed me of the shooting), and spending most the night talking shop about how Dime influenced each of us: one of my friends is a phenomenal guitarist, the other works in radio. And of course, I’m a drummer who would much rather listen to guitar players than drummers—there’s a lot to be said about locking in with a guitarist and jamming for hours on end from a drummer’s point of view. We've since gone our separate ways, but after talking with one of these two cats roughly a month ago, I decided that the time was now for this build.

Dimebag. He is the influence for this build. This is my tribute to arguably one of the most influential, if not THE most influential guitarists to ever grace this Earth. And this is how I plan on honoring him:
Paint scheme: A camouflage scheme in the vein of the “Dimeoflage” paint job that has been available for some time now on the Dean Dimebag line of guitars.

http://www.pulseonline.com/dean/bigDimeoflageML.jpg

I know this isn’t the most powerful machine on the face of the planet, but it serves a purpose, and serves it very well; in fact, it works even better than the PIII board that I am using in the filing cabinet server, so I’m keeping half an eye open to see if I can possibly snag another of these boards, especially now that I have figured out the quirks inherent in the system.
And finally, the name: Dime always referred to his home recording studio as “Camp Strapped”.

So there it is--the history behind the influence. RIP Dime, and Getcha' Pull!

I've got some lighting ideas too--but until I get through this month, not much drastic will happen.

[mittelmeier]

Sweet inspiration dude.

[BerticusPryme]

I can say I am right there with you. I was at work when I heard about it and I was upset most of the day. I grew up listening to Pantera. I lived off that stuff. As much as I would love to see them again in concert I know it will never be the same with out Dimebag up on stage hammering away like there was no tomorrow. You definatly have my support on this 110%. Keep it up man. I believe it would make him proud. +rep

[KiLLERMAN21]

Wow... nice inspiration man. Although I listne to Pantera now, I never had the opportunity to see them live (im only 14) but yes, he was a very inspirational guitarist to many people. Cant wait to see the paint job on it. +rep

[The boy 4rm oz]

Nice insperation man. I listen to a lot of Pantera these days and agree, one of the best guatarists I have ever heard.

[DonT-FeaR]

:O rip dimebag. killer idea tho

[SXRguyinMA]

awesome :bowdown: I remember seeing that on the news as well :( such a great player, one of the best guitar players I've ever listened to by far. If I could get an instrumental CD of just his stuff I'd love it :D

[Drum Thumper]

I've given up on Photoshop. Viva la opensource!

Been playin around in GIMP, and with the aid of the Cowboys From Hell CD, I've so far got this accomplished:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d146/drumthumper5150/stencil1.jpg

I've got 4 more pics to knock out, then I'll print and take a test run on some cardboard.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Looking good DT.

[Drum Thumper]

Weather permitting, I'll be working on this mod throughout the week. It's supposed to be nice this weekend, so I'm aiming to get the cuts made, the case stripped and hopefully primed along with a few coats of white down. Then the masking begins!

I got a 18" by 24" piece of green plex as well. Big update coming later this week, I promise.

[The boy 4rm oz]

Sweet, can't wait for progress.

[DonT-FeaR]

/\ too right mate (in typical aussie accent)

[Remy]

Excellent idea man. May Dimebag Darrell look over your shoulder and inspire you during your build. Definitely an awesome guitarist and one of my favorites.

[Drum Thumper]

Thread necro time! This project lives (and Rick, expect a PM soon!).

Right now, I've given this system a bit of an upgrade--now running a 1.8 GHZ P4 with a gig of RAM. I know it doesn't sound like all that much, but for a simple webserver that only gets accessed by myself and a few close friends, there was a serious improvement in throughput once the new mobo was in place. Over the next few days, I will be transplanting this system into the blue Sunbeam case so I can finish up the cutting, and then it's getting shipped.

And if I can find some parts on the cheap I will also go ahead and Watercool this beast!.

[SXRguyinMA]

Big update coming later this week, I promise.

that worked out well :facepalm: lol glad it's resurrected!!

[Drum Thumper]

that worked out well :facepalm: lol glad it's resurrected!!

Yeah, real life took me by the horns.