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Project TunerPC (For want of a better name)

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by HowardCanning, 6 Jul 2004.

  1. HowardCanning

    HowardCanning What's a Dremel?

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    This mod is finished, but I'm posting the project log so you guys can have a look :)


    Date - 13th June 2004

    Right my project was to basically mod my Media PC into something hifi-sized to fit with the rest of my kit.

    So I found an old tuner in my loft and decided to use that.

    The dimensions are rather small; 42cm x 23.5cm x 9cm.

    Remember this is posted from somewhere else so it might occasionally read a bit funny :p

    ~

    I've been working on it today and I've come to the end of the modding I'm able to do as I'm trying to find a Half Height AGP card with TV out, and a PCI riser for the soundcard.

    So far the motherboard has been mounted and so has the HDD. The PSU is gonna have to be made external.

    Right for some pics:

    [​IMG]
    This is the PSU. Nicely modified to have only the necessary cables :lol:

    [​IMG]
    The innards of the PC so far. That hard drive isn't mounted too well ATM, hence it's a bit lop-sided :p

    [​IMG]
    You can see here that the Riva TNT is too tall to fit in the case with the lid on :(

    [​IMG]
    ...But it should look like this (without the slight bend ;) ) when it's done and closed.

    [​IMG]
    Here's the back of the PC. Feel the elite power of that Pentium 2 :rockon:

    [​IMG]
    This is the particle-board back panel. Gotta cut out the appropriate holes for the ports, but can't do them all till I've got the right cards in the right place. Done the Network and PS2 ports though ;)

    [​IMG]
    And the last pic for now is the front panel. Needs a slight bit of cleaning, and I might re-spray it to remove scratches. Dunno yet. Gonna drill a hole for an LED too.


    23rd June 2004
    I've got a low profile graphics card now, an ATi Radeon 7500. Just waiting for a PCI riser card for the soundcard now.

    The HDD has been moved to above the RAM. And it's now got a PIII 450MHz, turning it into a DiVX/Music/Internet Radio machine. HTPC. Lol.

    I've also sprayed part of the Plexiglass front, makes it look much better.

    [​IMG]
    Front shown here.

    [​IMG]
    Top-down view of the components.

    [​IMG]
    Screws going through the plastic (the actual bit I sprayed, behind that of the front panel :p ) to allow me to attach and detach the HDD.

    [​IMG]
    Pretty much what it will look like when done. Except the cover clearly needs a second coat of paint. Lol.

    [​IMG]
    Low profile graphics card and NIC shown here.
     
  2. HowardCanning

    HowardCanning What's a Dremel?

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    26th June 2004

    [​IMG]
    Second coat of paint on the lid. Looks much tidier now.
    Got a nice new back panel made of MDF too.

    [​IMG]
    New back panel in place.

    [​IMG]
    Different angle.

    [​IMG]
    From inside.

    [​IMG]
    With the lid on, back view.


    It's not perfect in these pictures. I screwed the back panel on (losely) over the top of all the mobo connectors. It kinda bulges outward cos I haven't made holes yet. That's what you can see in the photos. Lol.

    The screws that held the original back panel in weren't quite long enough to fit through the MDF (the new MDF is 6mm btw), so I nicely countersunk where the screw heads go, so they're flush with the MDF now.

    And I need to do something about that sticker. Lol.

    27th June 2004

    Just spent £30 on a Media Center Edition remote control.


    Couple of problems at the moment... Noise, and (what I think is) static.

    It's not too noisy. But it's audible. If I 7v the CPU fan, the system becomes unstable :confused: :(

    And sometimes the PC resets itself whilst sitting on my floor. It also was doing it last night if I touched the medal side of the case. I'm guessing this is grounding and/or static. I won't use it on the carpet in future. Lol. I hope it doesn't do it when it's finished :eek:
     
  3. HowardCanning

    HowardCanning What's a Dremel?

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    27th June 2004, later on

    Holes cut for the Parallel, Serial, PS2 ports. Also the graphics and Network. Gotta wait till my PCI Riser arrives to do the holes for my Soundcard, as I'm not sure of the exact position yet.

    Gonna make some sort of indentation in the top of the MDF for the PSU cables though. Seeing as it's external :lol:


    Nearly done now :D


    The holes in the back panel aren't perfectly finished. They're a bit wobbly-shaped, some of them. But seeing as it's the back it doesn't matter :)


    29th June 2004

    PCI Riser card arrived :D

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    This is how it will go in. But it doesn't fit until I drill out the holes from that metal bracket. Lol.
    [​IMG]
     
  4. HowardCanning

    HowardCanning What's a Dremel?

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    29th June 2004

    Modding is pretty much finished now!

    [​IMG]
    New back panel :) Not fantastic cutting as I said, but it is the back... Lol

    [​IMG]
    Made a little block of wood that sits ontop of the GFX and NIC and the lid of the case holds them firm :)

    [​IMG]
    Soundcard sitting happily in it's new horizontal position.

    [​IMG]
    Side on view :)

    [​IMG]
    Forgot to make the indent in the top for the PSU wires until just now :eek: Lol

    [​IMG]
    Back end :)

    [​IMG]
    Side view :)

    [​IMG]
    Front view :)

    [​IMG]
    Mmm shiny metal ;)

    [​IMG]
    Here she is, sitting in place. You can see what I was trying to achieve now. It fits beautifully with the rest of my system. And it has a lovely bl00 LED :D
     
  5. SJH

    SJH Minimodder

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    Nice work so far, similar to a project I'm intending to make when I get round to it ;)

    Where in Surrey are you? My Dad lives in Surbiton and I was born in Kingston :D
     
  6. HowardCanning

    HowardCanning What's a Dremel?

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    I'm just outside Woking :)
     
  7. BigC

    BigC What's a Dremel?

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    I havent seen many people from down south, but i live near guildford as well :)
     
  8. HowardCanning

    HowardCanning What's a Dremel?

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    Yeh that's pretty close :p
     
  9. Nevex

    Nevex What's a Dremel?

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    Shoulds left the station label on the front so it still looked like a receiver.
     
  10. HowardCanning

    HowardCanning What's a Dremel?

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    I did originally, and it looked a bit naff. I reckon it looks smarter like this.

    I'm gonna post some pictures of the real-finished product with the mouse/keyboard/remote, etc, later :)
     
  11. Firehed

    Firehed Why not? I own a domain to match.

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    Heh, my RAID controller has a heatsink about the same size (and color) as that graphics one lol. And it's been so long since I've seen an ISA slot...

    Outdatedness aside, it looks great so far, excellent idea!
     
  12. HowardCanning

    HowardCanning What's a Dremel?

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    Final pictures

    [​IMG]
    All the controllers :cool:
    Clockwise from top: OneForAll remote that controls everything (besides the two other remotes), MCE remote, Pace Freeview box remote, Wireless Keyboard, Wireless mouse.

    [​IMG]
    Wireless receiver for keyboard and mouse.

    [​IMG]
    Infrared receiver for the MCE remote.

    [​IMG]
    Keyboar and mouse positioned nicely on the floor ;)

    [​IMG]
    Keyboard, mouse and MCE remote.

    [​IMG]
    Front of the case. Bl00 LED :D

    [​IMG]
    Overall shot.


    I'm very impressed with the wireless kit.

    The keyboard and mouse cost £25 and are absolutely fantastic value. Nice to use, and the range is perfect enough for my bedroom.
    The MCE remote works superbly from any angle and is nicely responsive.

    I'm damn proud of this mod :D
     
  13. Deep-Blue

    Deep-Blue Part-time Overclocker

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    Kingston Rulez! Always full of pikies tho! :wallbash:

    Kewl mod btw. Looks the shiznaz!
     
  14. !!CheWiE!!

    !!CheWiE!! What's a Dremel?

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    I live in woking!

    Knaphill to be precise.... :naughty:
     
  15. poop

    poop What's a Dremel?

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    Nice

    Nice Job. Someone in Maxium PC won rig of the month a few months ago with a similar mod. Have you thought about putting in an LCD in the front?
     
  16. nicke

    nicke What's a Dremel?

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    :jawdrop: i dont think anybody that visits you thinks thats a computer :thumb:
     
  17. HowardCanning

    HowardCanning What's a Dremel?

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    You're dead right. Lol. They see the kb/mouse on the shelf at the back of the room and are like "what're these for :confused: "
     
  18. HowardCanning

    HowardCanning What's a Dremel?

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    :eek: Yuo - teh close!!

    And poop - an LCD = expensive :(
     

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