Toolboxesque

[Drum Thumper]

First off, time for me to come clean on a previous build: ROIO Jukebox was a Proof of Concept build. The things I learned while building that box will come into play in the future, as I am kicking around the original idea--make it a luggable system (think a trapezoidal subwoofer box).

But enough about ROIO, I have been commissioned to do a build for a friend. He's rather mechanically inclined, so needless to say, this build is going to be loosely based off of a toolbox, hence the title.

A bit of background: he emailed me earlier this week wondering if I would be willing to look at two older (PII/AMD Duron era) computers and see if there was anything that I could do to get them to work better. One was running Windows 98, the other XP SP1. I say was due to the fact that as I am typing this, I am running DBAN on their respective hard drives. Needless to say, after some negotiations, he's getting a Socket 478 system, and I'm gaining two older systems that I will be buffing up in the future. ROIO will be losing its' motherboard due to this build.

And a pic of the case in its' current state:

I am in the process of slipstreaming his OEM XP disk with SP3. If he has issues similar to the ones that have been mentioned by members here, I'll downgrade it for him.

This build is going to be quick and dirty--funny how cash motivates people!

[Drum Thumper]

That sticker in the middle of the window is now gone, and the window itself is patiently waiting to be caressed by dremel. I've got an old mopar logo printed out and attached to the front side of the window, and will be busting out the dremel tomorrow, along with painting.

Also, the owner supplied me with his OEM copy of Windows XP SP1. A bit of nLite work turned that into an SP3 version, and a bit of lightscribe magic later we have this:

And just for grins, here's the original and both together:

Tomorrow, I do a bit of minor modding to the case and then I'll paint.

[DonT-FeaR]

wow that cd looks hell cool

[blueonblack]

LOVE that disc!! +rep
________
DODGE MONACO SPECIFICATIONS

[mittelmeier]

That disc looks awesome! +rep.

[TheMainMan]

Ahh, lightscribe. Sooo much fun! It makes Windows backup discs that much more interesting. Nice +rep

[SXRguyinMA]

mmmm lightscribe...yum

[Drum Thumper]

Thanks guys. I'll hopefully have a big update tomorrow. All I really have left to do is paint, as I've got the window etch done. I may or may not put casters on this case as well; if I do decide to go that route, it's a quick 5 minute mod, that's for sure.

Pics coming soon.

[Drum Thumper]

Mods like this are fun. No fuss, little mess, and easy to complete. Toolboxesque is finished and will be delivered to its' owner by Friday at the very latest. I will have a big ol update either later tonight or tomorrow.

[Drum Thumper]

Paint photos and final mockup:

And my personal fav:

Next up: Reinstalling front panel facade, installing side window, sleeving USB cables, transplanting new system in. Then it goes 120 miles down the road to its' new owner.