mini-itx mod "the red-eye"

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by dom_, 11 Jan 2004.

  1. dom_

    dom_ --->

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    First off the case is a cubid 2699r case that measures approx 29cm wide x 26cm deep x 6cm high.

    [​IMG]
    with front flap open

    It has a m1000 nemiah via motherboard, 80gig baracuda seagate hd, 512mb ram, laptop dvd drive, hauppauge winttv pci card.

    Now the moddin starts, the processor on this case has a poopy 40mm fan that after 3 months of heavy use sounds like a 747 at take off. So that will go first off. Also at the back of the photo you may notice one less exhaust fan. This is due to it going to component heaven also. Both of these will be replaced with low noise items. Also you notice the extra cable sticking out of the case, ignore these for now as they are for testing some, lets say cathode bassed products that "may" be in my project, i dont know :naughty:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    First thing i have done as seen is this pic is to place the harddrive power and cd drive under the mobo this is to keep it out of the way so it comes up at the hd then routes off to the dvd.

    [​IMG]

    The next thing was to get the ide cable for the dvd to fit under the ram (under the dvd) without sticking out over the northbridge heatsink (used to be resting on it!)

    [​IMG]

    As you can see two parts of the cable still just touch the northbridge, this is due to the power cable being directly under the ide (the little wires just sticking out of the ide). But it only just touches rather than the whole cable pressing right up to it.


    Now you may be wondering why is this mod called the eye? well all will be revealed!

    [​IMG]

    The window for the case as masked off here is shaped like an eye :clap: and will have an 80mm fan with red cathode in the middle for the retina!

    I will also be windowing the dvd drive! cutting the hd tray so you can see it and polishing the hd (if i ever get the balls window it!!!) :lol:

    Also dying my tft and mouse black to match the case (will buy a black keyboard) all led's will be red :hehe:

    [Pics will be uploaded tonight with a guide for modding a microsoft optical mouse]
     
    Last edited: 12 Jan 2004
    Gnemelf likes this.
  2. Dragosoft

    Dragosoft What's a Dremel?

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    Looking good.. keep it coming :thumb:
     
  3. dom_

    dom_ --->

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    i couldn't help myself here is a pic of the fan :) (from maplin £9.99!! tis very quite but airflow doesnt seem to high, not that i need it with my case)


    [​IMG]

    :clap: :rock: :clap:
     
  4. TheEclypse

    TheEclypse What's a Dremel?

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    looking good. :thumb:
     
  5. Incorpirate

    Incorpirate What's a Dremel?

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    looking good :thumb:
    that fans looks like the sunbeam ones ive jsu got from ebuyer. doubt it though as mine were £2 lol
     
  6. dom_

    dom_ --->

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    mine are maplins finest oddly enough they have two cold cathodes in them! one around the edge the other around the motor
    twice the glow :rock:
     
  7. Gnemelf

    Gnemelf Minimodder

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    looks like it will be a nice window.
     
  8. dom_

    dom_ --->

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    Well here is the mouse piccy

    [​IMG]

    Very easily done. Remove the 4 plastic feet with your fingenail or a small flat head. Then remove the two rear screws and push the two front plastic clips forward. Now the top comes off :)

    Then simple unclick the buttons and spray, then spray the main shell. All done using halfords vinyl dye (approx 4-5thin coats) after a good 24hours re-assemble the mouse.
    If you want before re-assembly pull over the red led in the back of the mouse, it makes the light at the rear shine out rather than a dimmer diffused light.

    Next update will be the monitor painting :clap:
     
  9. dirtbiker

    dirtbiker What's a Dremel?

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    Looking good, might be forced to do that to my mouse (the exact same one) once i've painted my case... :lol:
     
  10. Dragosoft

    Dragosoft What's a Dremel?

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    Ah, looking so good... :rock:
     
  11. Incorpirate

    Incorpirate What's a Dremel?

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    this is looking good :D

    PLEASE DO NOT TRY AND WORK AROUND THE BAN ON SIGNATURE PICTURES.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: 12 Jan 2004
  12. Tacritan

    Tacritan What's a Dremel?

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    Ooooh, interesting redeye... Remember to have the anti-redeye flash on your cam turned off. :p (bad pun, i know)
     
  13. The-Real-Game

    The-Real-Game What's a Dremel?

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    Looking very nice so far!
     
  14. dom_

    dom_ --->

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    ohh dear :)

    [edit]although the project is now red-eye not just eye.
    Thanks
    and thanks for all the feedback people. Hopefully this case will kick ass when done. I'm looking forward to the dvd window :)[/edit]
     
  15. Gnemelf

    Gnemelf Minimodder

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    love the mouse looks great :)
     
  16. Captain Slug

    Captain Slug Infinite Patience

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    I'm working on a Mini-ITX project as well. And I now understand how much more challenging they are...
    I've built ALOT of small machines, but when they get this small your Obsessive Compulsive Disorder becomes all the more useful. :D
     
  17. penski

    penski BodMod

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    Calm logo :)

    Nice looking mod, dude.

    *n
     
  18. dom_

    dom_ --->

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    in reply to cpt slug smaller is harder, and means i am even more of a perfectionist!

    a fellow bmezine.com person i see, penski you should see my desktop, calm logo all the way.

    Well UPDATE!!!!

    Monitor mod :)
    another warranty out the window.
    This is how is started:

    [​IMG]
    OMG TFT NEKKED

    This then turned into:

    [​IMG]

    As you can see the bits are allready black (vinyl dye) sorry about that i was too excited to remember to take pics.
    The dissasembly was relatively easy, 4 screws on the back, followed by several plastic clips inside, then another 12 screws to remove the tft from the front panel.

    The base was a bitch as it has around 20 screws putting it together, and it all had to be un-done for spraying.

    Also i modded the led as it used to be a boring old green one, now its red :clap:

    [​IMG]

    The led did require plenty of filling to make it rectangular though (making sure not to go through to metal). Also the original was bi-color apparently green and green which was odd. But the multimeter keep going from positive to negative when the monitor was on power save. So now it just flashes red on and off :)

    Here you can see the red led on during normal usage:

    [​IMG]
    flash makes it look dull though :grr:

    and here is the finished baby:

    [​IMG]

    matches my mouse lovely :rock:
    and even better news a mate is getting me a black keyboard for free :clap: :clap: although it will require red led's of course.

    Next to be done is... minimise the inverter for the cold cathode and tidy up the cables for it. and hide it under the pci card. Then red leds for case :)

    p.s. the window is being cut as we speak :rock:
     
  19. Dragosoft

    Dragosoft What's a Dremel?

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    Wow, looking good!! :jawdrop:
     
  20. Incorpirate

    Incorpirate What's a Dremel?

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    seconded!
    top mod! :jawdrop:
     

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