Help me out

[vidas7de7jesus7]

So... I have an old case from a Compaq presaurio that was purchased in about 1998. http://img95.imageshack.us/my.php?image=case0010tg.jpg I am 99.5% sure that it is an old mini-AT due to the power connector on the old motherboard. Anyhow, I was wondering if it would be at all possible to use this case on a modern Mini-ATX motherboard and miniature power supply. First, some pics:
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/7370/case0023di.jpg
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/4554/case0030dm.jpg
Sorry, forgot to tell you on second pic, that is about 6.25 inches deep until it runs into floppy drive, so max of 6 inches deep for PSU.
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3282/case0045ti.jpg
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4205/case0057aj.jpg
As you can see, I would have two places for the Hard drive: 1 over top of floppy, and the other on a bracket above CD drive. However, there is only about 1" space between floppy and cd drive. is that enough?
Here's why I like the case (besides it small size): the removable MOBO tray!
http://img343.imageshack.us/img343/5646/case0072lg.jpg
(this is view of the back of the tray) however, as you can see, it has those riser things that could cause problems. Would I need to cut them away? And how would I mount the new mobo onto this tray?
next problem is where to find power switches and hard drive activity lights and the likes. This case has a proprietary connector that it used to hook up to mobo.
http://img343.imageshack.us/img343/4186/case0095bc.jpg
If I could find the right switches, lights and stuff, I would like to do something with this ugly thing: http://img423.imageshack.us/img423/360/case0106hv.jpg and round off the front of the case, but how?
http://img324.imageshack.us/img324/8444/case0122wr.jpg
http://img324.imageshack.us/img324/6840/case0131dy.jpg
This is the main intake of air for the front (currently). The fan is about 60mm. I'm assuming that's not going to be enough. Any suggestions?
http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/5287/case0149fe.jpg
This is where I could mount two 60mm fans (side by side) in the back,
http://img314.imageshack.us/img314/7500/case0143bl.jpg
That's pretty much it, for now. My main questions are A. is it possible without to much cutting, hacking, blood, sweat and tears, and B. how big of a problem is cooling going to be? I probably wouldn't use the latest, hottest running parts, and I am probably not overclock them. Currently, I'm looking to build, in the thing, mainly a multimedia type thing, so nothing to intense. Thanks again.

edit: finished post

[Cevinzol]

You might want to shrink that last picture down a little its pretty wide.

Looks like you are going to have similar problems being discussed over here
thebestcasescenario.com - HP case help needed~~~ (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2422) Those old proprietary cases are a challenge.

The back of the case will need to be cut and re-worked in order to acomidate ATX connetor layout.

Also I'm not sure if that M/B tray is all that usefull. It looks like it goes into the case from either the top or the bottom. That means you still have to mess with installing your video and sound cards in the case. So its actually adding a step (inserting the tray) rather than saving any steps. If its functioning as the case stand-offs you may need to keep it.

for the HDD 1" might be enough room but airflow for cooling might be tight. You could use a laptop HDD.

For switches frozencpu.com (http://www.frozencpu.com/scan/se=Electronics/se=Switches/mp=menu_search.html) has some wicked looking ones here. depending on the cable you choose you can have the ring around the switch indicate power or HDD activity.

[vidas7de7jesus7]

I updated, so it should be more complete? Any more suggestions?

[Cevinzol]

is it possible without to much cutting, hacking, blood, sweat and tears, Oh come on where's the fun in that? J/K.
well with regards to the PCB for the HDD and power lights.
If you have the original m/b there might be some silk screen labeling on it to indicate what the pins are. Compaq is part of HP now, not sure if they'd have any pdf's that old. Might just have to play trial and error. That or just use the PCB as a mounting bracket for you own wired LEDs.

I think you are going to want more venting. Could you replace the 60mm fan in front with a big one (maybe even a 120mm)? Maybe get a drive bay fan if you'll have one free.

If a guy can get a PC into a waffle iron (http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/waffleironpc/), I'm sure you can get one in that case. Its just a matter of patience and planning.

[jdbnsn]

I agree with Cervinzol that it's definately do-able. Also agree that without blood, sweat and tears, well hell, why bother? Anything is possible with that case, you may find that you need to hack the rear panel of the box out and build a new I/O plate like I did. It is all adjustable, things can be moved, expanded, purchased, re-shaped, and so on. I'll try to hit some of your specific questions, but there will be more experienced modders than I come along soon and make other suggestions. Sometimes there is no right answer but what sounds best to you in terms of what you are willing to do. I don't believe there are any limits on what you are capable of doing with the proper determination.
Ok, as for the PSU, if you are worried that it is not deep enough, you could always cut a portal in the back panel and extend the PSU out the back a little and maybe frame it with something. The 1" space is big enough to fit the HD in, and it would probably be best if you dedicated a small, yet strong case fan to blow through there and I think it would work fine. As for the mobo tray, if those lifters are in the way, yeah, just cut them out. Align your new mobo and drill and tap the holes, you can get some cheap brass tray mounts, they look like:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/misc/spacer.jpg


For the controls on the front, like he said frozencpu is a great resource, there are many others, here are two examples from www.xoxide.com:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/misc/controls1.gif

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f395/jdbnsn/misc/controls2.gif

Remodelling the front can be done in so many different ways, alot of people have used Bondo (the car dent filler) and a sander with great results, some bend metal, some bend plexiglass, you can come up with something. Replacing that small fan with a larger one, maybe even a 120mm like cevinzol said would be a good idea. You have lots to get you started, good luck.