X-Center

[rosecityracr]

So my dad just hired a new secretary and she wanted me to fix her comp....I said ok. I go to my dad's to pick it up and I got a Compaq Presario 5635, mgft. date 1998.
Here's some specs:
Processor Type: 400 MHz Pentium II
Memory (100 MHz SDRAM) 128 MB
ATI Rage 2x AGP 8 MB
Hard Drive Capacit 12 GB
CD/DVD Drive
Iomega Zip Drive

It was old and told her it wasnt worth much and new parts werent common anymore and she should get a new one or I could build her one. She said she couldnt afford it it right now and that I could just have it....joy! :D So i've decided to make a media center out of it but keep the overall shape....I like the domed top and the lines of the front panel, but I did want to make it a lil different. That's where the X in the name of the machine comes into play. :)

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/1310/barecase1yu0.jpg
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/4535/barecase2zd7.jpg
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8781/barecase3nf8.jpg
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/2774/barefrontpanelpt5.jpg
cut a hole at the bottom of the mobo tray
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/3739/moboholebg5gh6.jpg
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/633/frontpanel1zz9.jpg
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5087/frontpanel3jd6.jpg
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8976/frontpanelopenqx0.jpg

more to come! 8)

[b4i7]

did you put them in a url here setup?

[Acey]

i wanna see the secretary... w00t... :D

[rosecityracr]

did you put them in a url here setup?

yes i did, i dunno what was wrong...i tried doing the show image option, and have used it before and worked but it didnt this time...using a regular image url worked tho..:? oh well, they're up now =)

[simon275]

Are you putting an XBOX in it?

The front of that case is just crying out for a blowhole. You get a peice of normal plastic down pipe 110mm. Cut a hole in the front put it through. And then bondo from the lip of the pipe down onto the plastic.

[rosecityracr]

Quick update:
To simon: yesir im putting my xbox in there...
but im almost regretting it now because all of these wires has to be lengthened (some are small as 24/26 gague) and im having trouble finding wire that small.
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7159/xboxwirescontrolerportsub5.jpg
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/5194/xboxwiresdvdplayervz4.jpg
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/6466/xboxwiresonswitchqv9.jpg

Here's some pics of the xbox mobo and where i plan on putting it.
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/3182/xboxmobols5.jpg
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/4247/xboxmoboclosedb3.jpg
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/4145/xboxmoboclose1hp0.jpg
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/3039/xboxmoboincaseug0.jpg
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/4155/xboxmoborear1dw7.jpg
...and the power supply and its future location :)
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/6205/xboxpowersupplyvs8.jpg
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/1113/xboxpowersupplymountoi4.jpg
and finally its old home...and my running shoes :redface:
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/303/xboxcasingxo7.jpg

Another update in the next day or two, it might be big 8)

[simon275]

Dam I keep fogeting how chunky Xbox's are compared to the slim line PS2's. But THen I remember xbox's are just computers not far removed from desktop computers really its just a mobo with integrate graphics that only has video out and then it has all the normal things HDD, DVD Drive and PSU.

Why are you putting an xbox in it are you gonna put a second computer in it? Or just the xbox.

Those heatsinks look usefull for future mods though might get my hands on a broken xbox.

Oh and good luck lengthing the wire.

[rosecityracr]

Why are you putting an xbox in it are you gonna put a second computer in it? Or just the xbox.

Yesir ill be putting in a regular comp. too =). I'm not goin too crazy with it tho, cuz its just gonna be a low budget (i.e. free 939 mobo, cheapest 939 proc. i can find, 320gb hd, extra pci-e card and dvd-rom i have laying around). It's gonna hold all of me and my room mates movies, mp3's, family guy (woot!), etc. and keep it in the living room. Just waiting to get paid on monday so i can put in a lil order to Newegg for some goodies :D

[chedabob]

i would seriously recommend you put something over the power supply, and cool it. cos v1.1 psus (i think thats what youve got) have been known to overheat and drip molten solder, so id cover it up.

whats the need in the pc? minimalise the case, whack an xbox with a softmod in, bobs your uncle, you got some kickass media box.

[rosecityracr]

i would seriously recommend you put something over the power supply
Oh dont worry I planned on it, except im going to leave the back where the wires come out open (so more like a shield than a cover) because I will have 2x60mm fans in the front, 1 blowing on that and 1 blowing on the HD...in fact now that you've scared me :eek: , i think instead of a shield ill make a "basket" for it so it will stay in the same spot except just right-side up.

[rosecityracr]

Quick update:
-I've got all the wiring done except the power/eject buttons for the xbox and the power switch for the computer
-Finished painting the front cover and in the process of glueing up where the controler ports will go.
-Xbox motherboard, cd driver, and dvd drive are mounted
-Waiting on my new mobo, proc, fans, etc. to come in tomorrow.

In the process of turning an old CD drive case into the new home for the xbox psu and cutting holes in the comp. case cover for the outputs.
I should be done with both tonight and will have pics posted after i get off work tonight of my progress =)

[rosecityracr]

So here's the pics I promised earlier...they pretty much speak for themselves.

In the process of making my PSU bracket I broke I drill bit and 2 of the beige colored sanding bits (not the sand paper ones) and none of my equip. is more than 2 weeks old :redface: ...oh yeah, and i electricuted myself on the bare psu :hurt: . Word of advice...don't forget to unplug the power sourse when your working with electrinics :doh: haha.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6792/picture001te3.jpg
The paint is supposed to be a little rough looking..it's called "Rust-Oleum HAMMERED Finish"
the primer was as smooth as a jennifer love hewitt's sweet butt :D
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7636/picture002ek0.jpg
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/9935/picture003yw6.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2373/xboxpsu1gn6.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4945/xboxpsucasevb8.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4791/xboxpsucase1ga2.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3149/xboxpsucasebracket2tv8.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9326/xboxpsuwholene9.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8967/xboxpsuwhole1qr4.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1985/xboxpsuwhole2ew4.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3379/xboxpsuinstalledvv9.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8996/xboxpsuinstalled1vw0.jpg

And amazingly...
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/6465/xbox20worksaf2.jpg
it works!!
hopefully another update tomorrow night after i get the main comp. parts installed.

[a.Bird]

Lookin groovy so far. Any ideas on the "skin" yet?

[rosecityracr]

Lookin groovy so far. Any ideas on the "skin" yet?
It's gonna be pretty basic, same paint as the front panel so it'll blend in with the rest of the electronics in the living room. Plus im more particular to clean, not too flashy cases 8)...not to say i don't appreciate window etching, cool lightning effects, doom 3 mod, etc., just not so much for me :). I'll be posting up some more updates and pics sunday as I'm taking a day trip to houston tonight and most of the day tomorrow so stay tuned!

[Vertigo]

Nice idea, I like it. And btw, Guitar Hero ftw.

[Razors Edge]

Suggestion....

On the side, Dremel out the "X" xbox logo and stick like green cold cathode, Imagining it, it looks awsome.....

Anyways, sticking an xbox and pc in there....thats hot...Literley it will be, but Keep it up. Definitley watching this.....

[rosecityracr]

Whew'we 10 days since an update. Sorry guys...I've been steadily doin work on it but its slowed down a bit. Since my trip to Houston (that's worth of a whole other post in itself :D ) I've yet to get any new batteries for my camera so not too many new pics but I do have some that I will post (PROMISE!) later on tonight after work. Things I've completed so far:

--installed all comp. parts and is up and running
--all cabling is sleeved
--finished my removable HD (you'll see in the pics)
--attached and glue to front panel the comp. on/off switch along with the xbox on/off and eject buttons
--attached xbox controller ports to the front panel

All I have to really finish is paint the case cover and touch up a bit on the front panel where some of the glue for the controller ports leaked from the back to the front and stuck to the paper towel i had it laying on. Pics coming later tonight!

[Zephik]

Can't wait for those pictures!

This is pretty cool man, keep it up. :up:

-SF

[progbuddy]

omg, thats nice. Can't wait to see the finished product. I wonder, would a regular PSU supply the right voltage to the Xbox? If so, you could monster this thing out w/ cold cathodes, solder-on cards, and such. Also, you could probably take this project even further and put a PC in it too :p (custom PSU looks sweet, but its probably only about 175 watts.)

[rosecityracr]

Here's the pics i promised :).

Also, you could probably take this project even further and put a PC in it too :p (custom PSU looks sweet, but its probably only about 175 watts.)
Thanks for the PSU compliment!
that was the plan in the begining :p, hence the name "X-Center"...Xbox and Media Center :)

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/9738/internalswd2.jpg

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/9223/internals2ka6.jpg

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1534/internals1vz1.jpg
the thin, black cable coiled up is a USB extension for the mouse below

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4912/internals3av9.jpg

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/7109/windowsinstallqq4.jpg
getting closer!

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/7686/wirelessmousehn5.jpg
lil handy wireless "remote" mouse i picked up for 20 bucks :) and its reciever thats attached to the USB extension cable.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/9648/drivebaysxx4.jpg
colored in my HD "handle" temp. just to see what it looks like, it will be sprayed black

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/7627/drivebays1ng8.jpg

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/8199/drivebays2qx4.jpg
This will make it easier to transfer new movies/songs/etc. w/o having to take the cover off

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8788/frontpanelba5.jpg
underneath is the primered case cover

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/540/frontpanelbackon6.jpg
this part was NOT fun

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/8725/xboxcontrolerportsnv5.jpg

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/7200/xboxonoffec3.jpg

I'm disappointed the way the controller ports turned out. A little glue seeped through the back of the panel and got onto the front ruining the finish. i tried to sand it and fill in the gaps the best i could with the little space i had to work with but thats the best i could get it. I might try again before assembling the whole thing for the last time but i doubt it will happen.

[progbuddy]

It doesnt look that bad. Anyways, its a great project. Just make sure to mod the xbox case too :p.

[jdbnsn]

Very cool idea, it's looking good so far and I don't think you'll have any trouble smoothing out the port area. If I can make a suggestion, I have used the hammered finish before also and love it. But with what I have seen, it looks much better on a facade like yours if you can contrast it with a smooth texture, sometimes an all hammered texture surface can appear like unwanted orange-peeling instead of intentional style. I think if you sanded down the sides (inverted fang looking structures at the front base) or the center piece and painted the other in matte or flat black it would create a more striking appearance to your paintjob. Just a thought...

[gaz_the_chav]

Very nicely down I have also wanted to put my PS2 in with my computer but I' worried about the heat issue. Won't it get mighty hot?

-gaz

[progbuddy]

Hell no. The way the ps2 is built, its a perfect heat trap. All the components are on top of the heatsink, and the big ass heatsink has very few slats to let heat off, even though the heatsink is huge. Anyways, I think you might be cooling the PS2 if you put it in a better case with a better fan.

Also, Xbox's 80 mm fan is noisy and not very productive, and thats why I was just about to replace it with a Masscool 80 mm.

Anyways, X center looks great. Just spoof it up, make it look nice, add a bit of cooling, and youre set ^^

[rosecityracr]

Thanks for the compliments guys. jdbnsn you've given me a good idea with the flat-looking part. I'm thinking maybe try to make a faded black to green (from the bottom part of the "fangs" up) to give it a lil more character. Or maybe even just the inside part of the "fangs". What do ya'll think? Or just sand it down and leave it flat black?


Hell no. The way the ps2 is built, its a perfect heat trap. All the components are on top of the heatsink, and the big ass heatsink has very few slats to let heat off, even though the heatsink is huge. Anyways, I think you might be cooling the PS2 if you put it in a better case with a better fan.

Also, Xbox's 80 mm fan is noisy and not very productive, and thats why I was just about to replace it with a Masscool 80 mm.

Anyways, X center looks great. Just spoof it up, make it look nice, add a bit of cooling, and youre set ^^

It stays plenty cool in there. I did a stress test last week with front panel and cover on for 3 days with xbox continuously going and comp. continuously under load (music playing and movie going at once) and it never over-heated or got close to. Of course then fan on my heat sink is kinda loud for my tastes (5200k rpms and apparently i cant use SpeedFan or the BIOS to slow it down!!), 2x60mm fans up front, a rinky dink vga fan, and an 80mm exhaust. Exhaust fan has never expelled more than luke-warm air at any time so I doubt ill have any heat problems :up: . I'm probably going to replace that noisy TT fan and get something a lil quieter, only that its 70mm and most of them are pretty noisy to begin with.

[progbuddy]

OMG, I feel like modding my Xbox. I was going to make a fan cartridge, but i decided to just replace the noisy fan in the Xbox. As for the PS2, it is the perfect heat trap, but it barely puts off any heat. I've had a better idea of cooling the 360 too. Just get a few Thermaltake LED fans (super high output, low noise, unlike the stock fans, omg they give me a headache) and replace the noisy overworked fans that come stock. Then get a copper aluminum hybrid heatsink and put it on (if theres one that fits). My friend has had awful problems with overheating, and its shortening the life of the game system, which I dont think is right because he paid for what he deserves.

[NocturnaL]

Neat mod, looks like nice work. A friend of mine is in the progress of doing something on the lines of this mod. Except hes modding his Xbox 360 Into his computer lol... if you want you can take a look... http://www.wotp.net/forums/showthread.php?t=103 maybe get some ideas for your mod :)

[rosecityracr]

Neat mod, looks like nice work. A friend of mine is in the progress of doing something on the lines of this mod. Except hes modding his Xbox 360 Into his computer lol... if you want you can take a look... http://www.wotp.net/forums/showthread.php?t=103 maybe get some ideas for your mod :)

Wow that's awesome! crazy....but awesome! haha...i can spare messin up a $130 xbox, but not risk throwin $400 down the drain! :dead:

[Noobkiller]

Quick update:
To simon: yesir im putting my xbox in there...
but im almost regretting it now because all of these wires has to be lengthened (some are small as 24/26 gague) and im having trouble finding wire that small.
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7159/xboxwirescontrolerportsub5.jpg
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/5194/xboxwiresdvdplayervz4.jpg
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/6466/xboxwiresonswitchqv9.jpg

Here's some pics of the xbox mobo and where i plan on putting it.
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/3182/xboxmobols5.jpg
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/4247/xboxmoboclosedb3.jpg
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/4145/xboxmoboclose1hp0.jpg
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/3039/xboxmoboincaseug0.jpg
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/4155/xboxmoborear1dw7.jpg
...and the power supply and its future location :)
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/6205/xboxpowersupplyvs8.jpg
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/1113/xboxpowersupplymountoi4.jpg
and finally its old home...and my running shoes :redface:
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/303/xboxcasingxo7.jpg

Another update in the next day or two, it might be big 8)

you gut it like a trout! Either way great job!

[rosecityracr]

Haha thanks noobkiller.

Got a lil update. I decided to take jdbnsn's advice and contrast the "hammered" finish from the rest of the case.

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1280/repainttapeuu4.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2710/repainttape1ol9.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/5027/repainttape2oi6.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/4564/repaintca2.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/1817/repaint1rb4.jpg

[Zephik]

Why not get some bondo and really have some fun with it? You could also fix your controller port area... make it nice and smooth. ^^

-SF

[Maz]

you are making me sorry that i ran 110V AC through the ide cable of my xbox...:devious:

[rosecityracr]

Why not get some bondo and really have some fun with it? You could also fix your controller port area... make it nice and smooth. ^^

-SF

Yeah ive pretty much decided to fix the controller port area...try to make it as flush as i can with the rest of the front panel. Every time i look at it i like it more and more, then i get to the controller area...arg!


you are making me sorry that i ran 110V AC through the ide cable of my xbox...:devious:

Haha why on earth would you want to do that now :p

[NocturnaL]

I'm liking the idea you have going, but i cant agree with the wiremanagment you've chosen. You gotta lengthen those wires or something, it looks too congested =\

[jdbnsn]

Love the green, excellent choice! It got me thinking too, if you are going to break out the bondo and fix the port area, you are going to have to re-paint it anyway. If so, this would give you a good opportunity to put an XBox logo on the face, you could cut an X in a piece of plastic and green plexi stuck together and heat-bend the inner points out, that would look pretty cool! I'll sketch a pic of what I'm talking about. Either way I think the green accent you chose worked perfectly, nice contrast.

[jdbnsn]

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

[rosecityracr]

I'm liking the idea you have going, but i cant agree with the wiremanagment you've chosen. You gotta lengthen those wires or something, it looks too congested =\

Thats one of the problems, most of the wires are TOO long so they get bunched up. Also, I havent taken any pics with the front panel completely on yet...it's always just kinda layin on the ground in order to get a quick movie or NCAA action in with guests over 8) . It's a lil more tidy with it completely on cuz they're more flexible. Not much I can do with that IDE cable right now though...dont worry I do plan on getting a longer one mostly to get it out of the way of the air flow :up: .


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

Man that looks good! You sure drew that up quick too! I was never planning to go all out with this thing to begin with tho. So far this thing has cost me less than $100 bucks as I'm pretty tight on cash right now. That idea is freakin sweet though. I might have to do that down the road when my budget balances out! 8)

[Maz]

Haha why on earth would you want to do that now :p

HDD activity light, one end was plugged into the ide cable, which was also attached. and the other was on the fan ground. it didnt work, maybe a bad ground right. anyways i dropped the other end onto the exposed psu (my own custom case) and ran the current through the hdd, dvd drive, and the mobo. i knew it was dead when one of the caps blew up.

wow jdbnsn i really like your sketch.

and rosecityrcr im glad that this mod is going as well as it is for you. props

[jdbnsn]

I understand about the finances, I've been a student for a looooong time now and when the buckets dry even tears won't fill it up. But hey, if you do use that X logo on the front someday, I would highly recommend sticking a few very bright LED's in that green plexi and your X can be your power light.

[DaveW]

i dropped the other end onto the exposed psu

Wasn't this the one you asked us about and we all said "There's gonna be an accident"? :p

Maybe i'm thinking of someone else. But maybe you should take a hint and get some sort of cover to stop this happening to something really important, like say, you or a relative.

-Dave