my first case mod idea

[Chewy_Solo]

well ive been thinking about doing a case mod and i kinda have a sketch together that i made in photoshop in a few minutes

and to clarify IM NOT PAINTING THE WINDOW BLACK, just the frame for the 3.5 bays.

And for the LCD im thinking of re wiring it so the PDA lcd works as monitor, i dont know how id do this, so help is requested.

What my original plan was, is to use Sidewindow to make my PDA into a monitor, but unfortunately it doesnt have vista support and is way to difficult to code it.

So help and comments are appreciate.

[SgtM]

Looks like a good start. One suggestion though. If you're going to paint the drive cages, why not paint all of the inside? You could keep the drive bays black, but choose another color, say one that compliments the LED's in your fans, for the rest.

[Chewy_Solo]

so maybe paint the back where the motherboard sits blue or something? is that what you had in mind?

And i have no idea how im gonna do this wiring for the LCD, i cant find a compaq to VGA or anything of the sort ...

[SgtM]

Exactly. I'm not sure how the wiring would go. I don't have any experience with that. There are plenty of folks here that do though. I'm sure someone will have some advice soon.

[Spawn-Inc]

looks like a pretty cool idea, i painted my case all black while i waited for cash for parts. i drilled out all the rivets and painted everything completely.

as for the pda touch screen input after googling i found this stuff;

http://fixunix.com/handheld/236944-u...n-monitor.html

http://www.pocketgear.com/en_US/html...id=prod5641205

[Chewy_Solo]

looks like a pretty cool idea, i painted my case all black while i waited for cash for parts. i drilled out all the rivets and painted everything completely.

as for the pda touch screen input after googling i found this stuff;

http://fixunix.com/handheld/236944-u...n-monitor.html

http://www.pocketgear.com/en_US/html...id=prod5641205

that was my original idea, how i got the idea in the first place, unfortunately they dont have one that is vista compatable, ive been emailing them to see if they were going to design a vista version, and they said its to difficult at the time, but they did say that they were thinking about releasing the source code for just that purpose.

And ditching vista is not an option .

So my only options are rewiring or something or getting the source code for someone to fiddle with, i have no idea how to code, im planning on learning though

EDIT: Almost forgot, i want to put some cold cathodes on the back of my monitor(s) (not sound reactive (headset ftw)) and i was thinking of securing them with valcro, saw this somewhere else not suar. And possibly add some cold cathodes in the case

[SgtM]

EDIT: Almost forgot, i want to put some cold cathodes on the back of my monitor(s) (not sound reactive (headset ftw)) and i was thinking of securing them with valcro, saw this somewhere else not suar. And possibly add some cold cathodes in the case

Logic Zero tackled that one, and it looks pretty sweet. I don't know how well velcro would hold up over time. I think plastic zip ties would work better. That way, if you ever decide to take the cathodes off, you're not left with a hard to remove sticky goo on the back of the monitor.
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/f...ead.php?t=7424

[Chewy_Solo]

yep thats where i got it from thx.

So do you know anyone who would know how to do the wiring for the pda lcd?

and for the case painting, maybe paint what i was going to black and maybe even get some UV reactive blue paint, and get a UV cold cathode. just and idea. AND if i go that route then i think i may resleeve my wires and stuff

So far what im getting atleast planning to get for this is:

Modders Mesh: http://www.mnpctech.com/moddersmesh.html the honeycomb one

Some "self etching" primer i guess so i can paint the mesh http://www.handsontools.com/store/sh...roduct_id=9109 as reccomended by MNCPtech

tack cloth (im sure my school will have it)

Black paint for the Mesh and the structure with LCD http://www.handsontools.com/store-pr..._19034476.html dunno if thats good for what im doing, oh and for inside of case.

UV reactant paint http://www.xoxide.com/blueuvpaint.html

UV reactant sleeving http://www.xoxide.com/sleevingkit2.html

Power bracket for the the cold cathodes on back of monitor. http://www.xoxide.com/pci-power-bracket1.html

cold cathodes http://www.xoxide.com/bluecathode.html x2 im thinking, 2 for in the case 2 for monitors, and are the 2 that come with it connected or can i have them in seperate places?

UV cold cathode http://www.xoxide.com/colcatblac.html

I'm going to need some sort of extension to reach up to my monitors.

Also, for the side of my case where i was thinking of putting a fan, if i tried to cut out an area of the plastic would it look like crap? and how would i secure a fan? or should i just scrap that idea entirely?

So if you want to know how id put all this stuff ill get some pics and post em or something, and if you think this is overkill just say, OH and btw what would be a good thickness of Aluminum for my addon to the case? i wand it to be strong yet able to bend in a metal bending thing.

Also, is there any unusual tools that are recommended?

For the metal and stuff and ordering of the supplies id like to know preferably by tommorow night seeing as my teacher is going to order the mesh and aluminum and possibly if i get lucky the school will also pay for fans etc. (it pays off to go to a private school now doesnt it?)

EDIT: forgot some things, CD DVD drive for my addon http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135151 im gonna try and make this and my current on stealth ones or w e they are called

USB Panel http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813999356 gonna cover the audio ports they just look like crap..

[Chewy_Solo]

did some measurements

Width Max 7.5", Minimum 6"

Hieght MAX 6"

Length (front to back or vice versa) MAX about 8-9" preferably about 7"

that is for the addon on the top of the case, and for mesh i will need the 2'x1' sheet

[SgtM]

Paint: Good idea with the UV stuff. I've been wondering how good/bad it actually works.

Tools: Maybe tin snips, files and sand paper.

PDA LCD: Not sure about. I'll see about doing some digging tonight.