Server Case - No theme

[gntlkilr]

Ok, I've been working this mod for a bit, slowly. So here's the idea first.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/Server.jpg

I'm gonna go black case with red highlights, lights, etc.

Here's what I have so far.

Inside of the case - Standard ATX Mid-Tower
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/P1011153.jpg

The front with the front panel off
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/P1011152.jpg
Yeah, I know, i need to clean up those fan holes, all I had was tin snips at the time. I have a dremel and a 80mm hole saw blade now. :D

From the side
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/P1011151.jpg
The whole case is being redone like my Coolermaster mod. I did a half-a#$ed job on them, and I want to do them right. So yeah, repainting!

Ok. The front panel. The fun part.

You've seent he sketchup, now here's the update on how that goes.

Here it is cut out, ready for the putty to smooth the edges
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/P1011148.jpg

After first coat and sanding - LOTS to fill in
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/P1011149.jpg

Second coat applied and waiting for sanding.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/P1011150.jpg

Yeah, thats the plexi I'm going to be putting in the front panel. I figured, keep it all together, ya know?

Next update should be early next week!

[gntlkilr]

Update time, I know its been awhile

I screwed up the front panel of the first case, no salvage. I wanted to keep the main parts of the case in the theme I have. So, I took a case that was GOING to be my wife's computer, and modded it differently.

So onto the pics!!!

The original case (web pic)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/sktd07b.velika.jpg

The case the from the side, window cut out, and top 12cm hole
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/P8231459.jpg

Front with 12cm hole
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/P8231462.jpg

Back
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/P8231460.jpg

Stripped off the front accents to be painted
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/P8231461.jpg

I'm going with black and red. Mostly black with red accents. candy apple red of course. Heh.

Same basic Idea, plexi CDROM tray and HDD tray, the case is meant to hole a BUTTLOAD of drives, around 4 TB worth. (Lots of pics of the baby and a few other things) Then a few other options, see below.

Specs are as follows:
Intel STL2 Dual P3 board
2 SL2GR Pentium 3 1000Mhz Processors
2 Gb of PC133 ECC Reg RAM
2 SATA II 4 Port RAID 0,1,0+1, 5, 6 controllers (found them on ebay lot sale got 2 for 10$ US, nice, eh?)
12 HDD RAIDed in a few different drives, with backups of course. Mostly RAID 5.

So yeah, uber nerd here. LOL

Mod stuff

The top of the case where the USB and Firewire were (no other USB or firewire on the board.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/switchtop.jpg
I'm thinking a varistor for fan control times 3, the Power swtich, and reset here. Yeah.

And of course, what update would be complete without all the other fun stuff.

LEDs, Fans, grills, switches, and Thumbscrews (i had to , they were red, LOL),
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/funstuff.jpg

Comments/questions/bomb threats, they're all welcome, good or bad. Talk to ya'll next update, should be in about a week.

[Computer-Geek]

This looks like it will turn out good. Nice job so far.

[gntlkilr]

Thanks C-G. Its hard to start out for me, cuz I see all these great mods, and I rarely have the time to put into a mod anymore, especially with a new baby. Argh, I never thought a 3 month old could make me want to tear out my hair. LOL


Anyways.

Here's an update.

Finally got the case painted. As you saw in the last update, got some of the fun stuff, still waiting on the acrylic tubes and such, but its a slow process. I'm working on the switch top as well, that goes slow, can only do 1 coat a day or so. And each day is about a week apart. LOL

Front of the case
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/p9211583.jpg

The back
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/P9211585.jpg

Inside and top
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/p9211582.jpg

Here an update on how the switch casing is going for the top. Keep in mind that I want to keep the basic frame and style of the case intact, so I'm not doing much to the shape of the case.

Where the switches be going
I'm still in the process of getting it nice and flat again after this painting. This is only the second coat or so. After about 2 more, I'll sand the crap out of it, paint again with my nice and shiny car paint, then clear coat for a few coats.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/P9231610.jpg


But thats the latest and greatest. I'll keep in touch.

[Computer-Geek]

Looking good! :D

[Blebbz]

:o You Stole My Theme!
Only Joking... looking good so far, keeping tabs on this one

[gntlkilr]

Blebbz, if I could, I'd change the theme, just for you. :up:
Well, mostly for me, but you'd be a part of it. LOL

I want to put the lyrics of "It's All About the Pentiums" by Wierd Al on the window, just because I'm a dork/geek, etc. And I kinda like the name "Server'd". So a change is in order, I just dunno how to do it. :D

:EDIT:
Quickie here
Got the front accents completed.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/Frontaccentsdone.jpg

I am SOOO proud of these. I wanted that brushed aluminum look still on it, like with the original CMStacker, but I wanted color. Heh, I got it.

[gntlkilr]

WOOHOO! Update time. Albeit a smaller one. waiting on the acrylic tubes to get here for the big one.

Ok, remember how I broke that front panel from the first case? Heh, I fixed it by glueing chicken wire under it, bondo the S*&# out of it, then painting, holds up pretty well, too

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/PA071655.jpg
side by side with the other part I was working on this weekend.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/PA071654.jpg

These pics are all after 4 coats of spray putty, primer and paint each, clear is for tomorrow.

I'm happy with these. They're not perfect, but after as much work as I put into them to be flat and spiffy, this Krylon Semi Flat is exactly the shine I wanted. I was worried, cuz its cheap paint, but I'm very impressed, especially if you warm it up in hot water first. Heh
The top panel of the Zirco was where the switches, USB, IEEE 1394 were. I patched it all up and made my two holes for my Bulgin Illuminated switches. I'm using one switch LED as the power switch and indicator, and the other switch is reset and the HDD activity light. i like the idea.

Here's the closeup of the panel so far, just needs clear coat.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/PA071656.jpg


Well thats it for today, I know, not much, but getting these things flat was a pain the butt. Took alot of work, so I'm happy it got done.

Until next time, Mod the Planet.

[gntlkilr]

Ok, probably final update. Sorry it took so long. Being in a deployable Air Force unit tends to not give me much time to share between modding, work, GONE, wife, kid, school, etc.

But, we have an update. I posted the painted pics earlier (a couple months ago I think). But here is all the plexi installed (never could etch the HDD trays, but its a step).

Exterior Side Panel (yes, Kubuntu will be installed if I can figure out why the mobo don't work)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/CIMG0875.jpg

Front (not the greatest picture, will have better once I figure out this Mobo problem)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/CIMG0876.jpg

Interior (HDD is still needed, no optical drive tho, none, nada, will be a headless linux proxy server)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/CIMG0878.jpg

This basically was a test of what I could do and where I need to improve. There is alot of improvement needed on this case. Such as the front panel still needs lighting, it also needs a new piece of plexi, only thicker.

PSU SLEEVING! Nuff said.

The HDD trays need etched with SOMETHING. They look so naked.

The Blowhole needs something to go from the actual hole to the fan grill. I'm liking the idea of warming matching plexi and bending it around a piece of PVC tubing. then sanding, gluing, etc to the front panel. That way i get my color and my tube. Cuz its hard to find red plexi tubing for under 100 Euro per half meter.

Oh, and the top blowhole, I need to figure out a way to either hide or countersink those fan screws. *wince* ugly.

But hey, good first time out, Next time, I'm hitting up a Yeong Yang YS-221 Entry level server case like vastonecat (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13709). Heh. different colro, different direction tho. I love his build.

Ah well, until next time kiddies, warranties are meant to be voided.

[Luke122]

Edge light those drive rails.. that'll look HOT.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Agree with Luke. I love that color scheme too, always have.

Good work, Genital Killer.

[chaksq]

Nice work man. Very nice clean idea. The clear HD racks are great, think the edge lighting could look very cool, might not be all that visible as a server though.

[gntlkilr]

Thats what one of my thoughts were, a few LEDs and some etchings on the HDD rails. gotta get a good idea tho. I'm thinking on it.


Agree with Luke. I love that color scheme too, always have.

Good work, Genital Killer.

Genital????? Ouch

[Luke122]

Thats what one of my thoughts were, a few LEDs and some etchings on the HDD rails. gotta get a good idea tho. I'm thinking on it.



Genital????? Ouch

LOL

Etch some genitals on there maybe? ;)

[gntlkilr]

Yeah, I can see the look my wife gives me now...LOL

[FuzzyPlushroom]

"Is that... a PENIS?!"

(I assumed it was "gentle", or maybe even "Gentile"... that could get interesting!)

[Luke122]

Lol.. GIANT killer.

:D

Or is it GNAT killer?

heh.. etch some gnats on there or something. ;)

Ok, in all seriousness, edge lighting the drive mounts would look pretty sweet, and if you dont want a specific theme, you could just do some lines to look like traces on a pcb.. have some lines that terminate in O's or something, make it look like something off of "Hackers". I think it could look pretty slick.

[mofo]

Gentle killer, right? nice workin'

[gntlkilr]

Yeah, Gentle Killer. I've had this handle since about 92 or 93, and it just became a habit. Altho it REALLy needs to change.

What I was thinking was a P3 symbol (since its running two of the things and those are the only 2 intels I've had at all for the last 5 years, AMD fanboy here) with some circuit-like lines and dots (solderpoints) spreading out fromt he symbol, for a kind of motherboard effect with some red LEDs on the back (towards the front of the case) of the HDD racks, just to match the new Mobo, Abit NF7-S V.2. (Abit fanboy too)

Also I have the PSU sleeving kit on order, but I need to sleeve the cables. What color do you think? Red or black sleeving? Red or black connectors??

[gntlkilr]

Ok, I'm finally back. I had to do some time down in the desert for the AF, but I'm back and full of ideas. Stay tuned!!

[DonT-FeaR]

cool good luck.

[gntlkilr]

Ok, with some interesting cuss words and a few rapped knuckles, I've found out that the HDD rack is mounted wrong. Crap. BUT!!! I have an idea. I have a line on some more plexi so that I can make another. Here's the question, since my screw holes were a little off, anyone got a template for the HDD mounts? My measurements are always off a bit. As I found out. *sigh* ah well.

On another note, my wife gave me the go ahead to get a new case for my main rig. I want something classic, like an older chieftec dragon or something. Altho the Mesh series by chieftec is looking kinda hot right now. I've had lian li's, and I love them, but I want something different. No coolermasters tho, too much plastic inside.

[gntlkilr]

Ok, found a Chieftec "Mesh" Series CA-01B-B-SL for cheap. Crazy cheap actually. Got it home for 10 Euro. Brand New. Still in the box, manufacturer's date of 08082008. Crazy, huh? Wicked Awesome. First thing. This thing is GINORMOUS!!! Little over a foot taller than a standard ATX, a crapload longer, and filled with all sorts of screws.

So, onto the pictures.

Stock
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/Chieftec_BA-02B-B-B.jpg

And here it is, installed, but still awaiting the cable and connectors for cable management, so the cabling looks like caca
Front Door Closed
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/DSCF0084.jpg

Front Door Open - Yes, that is a standard ATX case next to it. The last case I was doing for this. Need to redo the HDD mounts.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/DSCF0085.jpg

Inside - I know I know, cabling is on the horizon, but it works right now.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/immortalshadow77/Server/DSCF0086.jpg

I love this case already. Tons of room, easily upgradeable, craploads of airflow built in. And its an industry standard. I sat on the thing and my 170 lbs didn't do anything to it. So I can't whine for 10 Euro ($14 USD). So all in all, good upgrade.

NOW for the mods I'd like to do to it once I find some time. I'd like to maintain the basic look of the case, but I want to replace the mesh ont he front with modder's mesh (red or Silver), add 2 windows, cabling of course (custom cabling, build my own series of SATAII connections for all 11 drives). I'm going to find some way to hide the IDE cables for the DVD-ROM, Operations drive (running Server 03, waiting until I find a stable NAS linux distro that I actually like. Kubuntu doesn't have the right options that I want yet), and the floppy drive. I'm thinking along the lines of soldering the cables along the back of the mobo. I can't remember who did it, but I saw it on a mod at Gruntville.com awhile back. Awesome work and awesome idea.

Now, onto the obvious. Yes, a floppy drive. Cuz the one time you need one and don't have one, you all know that day. Everyone still has a mobo that uses floppy flash. Especially me. I have 3. LOL.

Let me know what you think. Out.

[The_Crippler]

(running Server 03, waiting until I find a stable NAS linux distro that I actually like. Kubuntu doesn't have the right options that I want yet)

Have you looked at Ubuntu Server? It's different than the main L/X/Etc/Ubuntu distros in that it's geared towards server application rather than desktop.

Damnit, this thread is really making me want to get to work on my next mod - and I honestly wanted to take a break for a few months. I cannibalized parts off this chassis for some other projects, but recently I've been putting thought into turning it in to my new server case:

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u105/Weidbrewer/Layout-1.jpg


(Excuse the numbers...they were for another post.)

Like was said earlier: Solid construction, lots and lost of space and built in airflow. The world needs more server mods.

[gntlkilr]

Crap, I forgot about this thread. LOL. I was looking at my CP and whoa!. Anyways, try this case. Linky (http://www.servercase.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=GHS-2000&Category_Code=Adv+Server)

[The_Crippler]

Crap...so did I. That chassis is still sitting over in the corner there. Got working on a much different project that took me away from cases for a while.