Battlefield 2 L.A.N. PC.

Thank you all for your comments and compliments. I would have never gotten this far without the support from all of you.

Now, this is the part of the worklog when I start lecturing all of.

j/k , but seriously, I can never say enough to always plan every aspect of a mod. That is what makes or brakes a build.

I show you why. I knew that everything was going to fit tightly into the case and I am extremely glad I measured twice.:D

While installing the video card I knew it was going to be close to the power supply, but not this close. The video card has 1 mm. between it and the power supply. Yes 1mm, maybe less. lol but it is not touching it. Heat will not be an issue though because the power supply has a 120mm fan pulling air past the card.

Also the memory has about 4mm between it and the DVD-rom. You can also see the 24pin connector was a close call as well because of the dvd-rom cage.

Atleast it all fits. Now I have to see if I can get the usb working. for some reason it will not install anything properly or recognize it and I dont know if it the motherboard or windows. I may do another clean install and see what I come up with. Any ideas?

Thanks again
-dan

Well I have the hardware and software part of this mod done. The only thing left is a lot of wire management. I still have to take everything out of the case again so I can run my speaker wire neatly (dont want bits of metal in the new goods). All I need to do to finish the case is get the red and white lights and I will be done.

Question, I cant figure out how to get the usb working. Ive tried reinstalling windows, bios update, new drivers, and I still get "unrecognized device" on everything I try (mouse, keyboard, camera, flash drive, etc.). My ethernet slows down after a few minutes as well. I guess I will gave to get a usb pci card and try it out or get another MB.

Besides that, it runs games great (oblivion @ 1400 * 900 Med all day long with no lag).

I wanted to get an XFX 8800GTX but they were hard to find, The 8600GTS is a great card, personally I would have spent the extra and got the GTS but it will chew through BF2 all the same.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The boy 4rm oz

I wanted to get an XFX 8800GTX but they were hard to find, The 8600GTS is a great card, personally I would have spent the extra and got the GTS but it will chew through BF2 all the same.

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Yeah, but does the GTS have the mandatory-for-a-BF2-mod dog tags on the heatsink :p? It's the little things like that that really pull a mod together.

Anyways man, I can't wait to see this done. This is looking soo good. It's making me want to build a LAN machine myself.

I don't know about the dog tags, i generally go for power. I think the whole XFX8600*** series sports them.

Sorry I haven't been posting but I've got pretty sick over last few days. I may get some work done tomorrow if I feel a bit better.

-danthegeek

Ok, I got bored and decided to make a small slide show of the mod so far. I like it but it is only a minute long and I plan on doing a hole slide show with progress and finished video. This is kind of like a teaser.

enjoy.

EDIT- I changed it a bit

does the key do anything or is it purely appearance?
also what does the text say on those bricks o.o

Quote:

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Originally Posted by D1337

does the key do anything or is it purely appearance?
also what does the text say on those bricks o.o

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The key arms the power switch so you can turn the system on. What do you mean by "bricks." Do you mean the label, if so then:


WARNING
-Welcome to the Battlefield 2 L.A.N. PC Command
Unit

-When Using this device use extreme caution not
to exceed thrill levels your body can endure.


Ok, I got a bit of work done.

I finished wiring the speakers and they work great. I ran the wire to the back and into the lid from the bottom so they are hidden when you shut it. They are nice and loud to. I will try to get a video of it once I remake that bracket that holds the speakers.

I also put in a speaker input in an expansion slot so you can plug in you ipod, cd player, pc, whatever into the speakers.

I added the mesh to the rear panel. I dont see how it will do any good sense the door has to be open to run the pc. I may make a small opening for the wires later.

I made a template and added a U.S. emblem in the rear door. I added a little over-spray to make it look more realistic.

I was wondering what your opinions on adding some handles onto the front was? I like the looks of them and that is all they would be there for. Do you think Im trying to add to much? Anyways, Id love to get some opinions to help my decision sense I cant decide.

Thanks for looking

-danthegeek

I think the handles would fit perfectly, it gives it the whole getting lugged around and bashed feel. Suites perfectly.

Quote:

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I was wondering what your opinions on adding some handles onto the front was? I like the looks of them and that is all they would be there for. Do you think Im trying to add to much? Anyways, Id love to get some opinions to help my decision sense I cant decide.

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If U could plug out all front with this handle - Yes.
But U can't, as I can see.
My first thougth would be -WTF? For what fckn reason here they are?

No way. It should stay modern, minimal and military.8)

That's my opinion and if U put this in project then Satan :twisted: will rape:banana: U :eek:and U will have to write a code in Visual Basic:hurt: for all your life.
But U can do as you want...:think:

I think the handle looks awesome. Arent there military computers that have removable drives with those handles? But then again, if the handle doesnt really do anything, people might get confused. This is turning out truly incredible!
+(Imitation)Rep

Quote:

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Originally Posted by h3moglobe0

If U could plug out all front with this handle - Yes.
But U can't, as I can see.
My first thougth would be -WTF? For what fckn reason here they are?

No way. It should stay modern, minimal and military.8)

That's my opinion and if U put this in project then Satan :twisted: will rape:banana: U :eek:and U will have to write a code in Visual Basic:hurt: for all your life.
But U can do as you want...:think:

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uhhhhh...... ok.

im a bit confused. but ok. I see them more as guards for the switches and crap in case it were to fall or something were to hit it.

Anyways, thanks everyone for the input, much appreciated

-danthegeek

I still say go with the handles.

I like the handles idea; but they might fit in with the theme better, if they were black.

Just my opinion.

I love tyhe progress on this mod....very cool!

Ouch!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ouch!

I like the handles idea; but they might fit in with the theme better, if they were black.

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I have seen more military equip, etc. with silver handles than black... usually darker though, more like a gunmetal type color... hmmm

i think they look great there as is though...

Ehh
So I have to call someone. Go google and find VB compiler...

But if so...

Quote:

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I like the handles idea; but they might fit in with the theme better, if they were black.

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I agree.

Quote:

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I have seen more military equip, etc. with silver handles than black... usually darker though, more like a gunmetal type color... hmmm

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And also agree.
Both true.
But what 'bout paint it with black and do some "wearn out" job on this handles?

And quick look on this
http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2005...lefield2_mod/2
or this
http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2005...lefield2_mod/3

Still I don't understand for what reason there are handles. On the top works fine, but in front - for what?

Quote:

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I see them more as guards for the switches and crap in case it were to fall or something were to hit it.

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If you put this that way... Do it, if you worry about this switches. But if smth has to be broken, it will be broken. No matter what you do, it will.

Man. With handles or not. It is still the most badass shi+ ever.
Man, just mod.

i dont really like the handles idea. i think you did a very nice job on the front panel but if you compare that to one of the side panels then the front panel looks overwhelming. i dont know if you going to do more to the side panel but if you do, do what you did on the front panel only on the side panel i then think the handles would look good. like maybe add random switches that dont do anything or add more white text to the side or paint a big 2 for bf2. pretty much what im saying is do more to the side panel. no matter what you do its going to turn out good. this is just my opinion dont think i hate your project because i dont i think its awesome. keep up the good work.

Thanks for the input everyone, I think I will wait a little bit longer for my final decision on the handles. I like them but, you see them on almost every military mod.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AMD_TaT3rs

i dont really like the handles idea. i think you did a very nice job on the front panel but if you compare that to one of the side panels then the front panel looks overwhelming. i dont know if you going to do more to the side panel but if you do, do what you did on the front panel only on the side panel i then think the handles would look good. like maybe add random switches that dont do anything or add more white text to the side or paint a big 2 for bf2. pretty much what im saying is do more to the side panel. no matter what you do its going to turn out good. this is just my opinion dont think i hate your project because i dont i think its awesome. keep up the good work.

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do you mean the lid? I plan on putting in some gauges once I find some. Ill also have a storage box for the power, vga, etc. cables. Maybe even a few tools. I just cant find anywhere that sells old style temp gauges anymore, Kind of like THESE on the front of that case. The ones I do find have a bunch of extra crap with them that I dont need.

im talking about the sides. they look kinda bare and then you look at the front panel and it has all these gadgets. you should put temp gauges on the side or something like that.

Im not sure I want to add a bunch of stuff to the sides. I think it would look weired to have a bunch of switches and gauges on the outside when the case was designed to conceal things such as that (meaning the doors). I do have a small suprise for the outside, its more of a detachable add-on, but you will have to wait and see:D.

I got a little bit of work done today. The first thing I did was add a support for the cover. This also help support the front bezel as well.

I officially finished the speakers by adding the hardware to hold them in.

Im still on the fence about the handles. I know they serve no real purpose but this build is about looks, not just function. I think they look good but I dont know. Heres a few more picks with a black and silver handle. Any input?

I also added a bit ore aging to the front to give it a more used look in places that would be touched a lot. Thats why there are dark and light spots in the above pictures, although they do not show it very well.

thanks again for the suggestions and compliments.
-danthegeek

If you go with handles I would have to vote black.

I like the silver handles, the black looks good but if you think about it the handles would be used to lift therefore the paint would chip and wear off so eventually they would be silver anyway. Why don't you use the silver handles but weather them with paint to get that worn chipped effect.

I've changed my mind.....after seeing the picture I'd go for silver handles....



Ouch!

I vote silver and btw the case is looking quite pimp. keep it up man....

I would say silver too. But 'weather' them a little.

Thanks for the input everyone it realy did help in my decisions.

I did a little bit of work today. I did mount the handles and they turned out pretty good. I went with a weathered silver look. I did it by painting them black then sanding off almost all f the paint. I did this to give it a pitted and worn look and the pictures do them no justice. I like the contrast they created with the front panel. I may mist them with some black to make them look dirtier.

They are very strong to since I have reinforced the front panel. i can actually lift the case by them. I hope to my leds for the star and my red cold cathodes in a few days to finish this off,... for now lol.

Handles look fantastic, the weathered look suites the mod perfectly.

EDIT: Thanks for the rep dan

Very cool!

I like this mod. I've seen loads of ammo cans before but this is imaginative and new.

Well done!

Ouch!

Not so bad.


I have to ask about guages.
Someone metioned that guages will be placed on the side.
Really? I'm a bit freakin' weird maybe but it's not so "millitary" when you hit smth and crashing it.
Shuoldn't thoes been on the top or near by speakers? This once should be protected.

ps. Sorry bad english but it is sooo early.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by h3moglobe0

Not so bad.


I have to ask about guages.
Someone metioned that guages will be placed on the side.
Really? I'm a bit freakin' weird maybe but it's not so "millitary" when you hit smth and crashing it.
Shuoldn't thoes been on the top or near by speakers? This once should be protected.

ps. Sorry bad english but it is sooo early.

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The gauges will be placed under the lid, not on the sides. Im not sure where that was mentioned. I may not put gauges on it at all because my dad wants me to put an 9 inch lcd screen under the lid. He even wants to pay for it lol. I haven't decided what I will do yet about that though.

-danthegeek

If your dad's paying for the screen I say go for it. If you are going to do it I think you should implement a KVM switch so you can use a bigger monitor when you need i.e movies or higher res gaming.

EDIT:
Just wondering, does the front door actually close with those handles installed? They look as if the stick out a fair way.

I would love to have an LCD for the lid and I could just run it off of the second output on the video card. I would probably use it for music and a temp display. I just dont want to spend anymore of his money, he just bought me the video card, ram and power supply ($200 u.s.) a week ago. The screen would be another $100 ($200 for a touch screen). I dont think I can justify him spending that much money for something that is more or less a "second" system of mine. I may get one from my pocket when I get some more money (im broke lol).

AS for the door, it fits with millimeters to spare :).

-danthegeek

Wow -your dad is rad at all. Nice:D.
I'll say - Danthe go with LCD - guages can be replaced with samurize config on the screen. And you don't have to bother about look of guages. Configure it as you like:D.

But if you realy keen on guages - there is a space. A little but still is. What about front doors? Maybe some meters could fit there. Switches could be a problem, but...
How about that??

I was thinking I could do something like this:

Then I could have the LCD (the top right) show temps of my hardware and the gauges show the voltages coming out of the power supply (12, 5, 3.3 volt).

All of this probably wont happen soon sense the contest at micro center is this weekend and I need to get everything I have now working.

-danthgeek

EDIT- the lcd would be from a ps1 because they are cheap.

That idea looks good, you can use gauges for temps as well, I have seen it done, would be hard though.

Love the design for the LCD/Gauges. Would be nice to see some more 'missile' style toggel switches in there too.

Overall though looking great, the handles came out really nice aswel!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Xperiment

Love the design for the LCD/Gauges. Would be nice to see some more 'missile' style toggel switches in there too.

Overall though looking great, the handles came out really nice aswel!

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Id like to use some of those gauges but I only have about 1.5 cm between the lid and the cover with the star. Id probably have to use some rocker switches on there.

I have one major flaw in my plan for the gauges though. The only ones I can find that would work are 2.5 inches in depth. I only have 1.25 inches at the most in depth so I will have to come-up with something different.

thank for the compliments

-danthegeek

You could recess the gauges into the lid move, or cut a hole and indent some mesh into it, that would keep with the whole army theme.

Gonna be near on impossible to find gauges with a mounting depth of less than 32mm. Some of the performance car ones are quite slim, very expencive though.

Mind you it wont be hard to get gauges on screen via Samurize so its not all bad.