There's loads of free linux distros which can be downloaded absolutely free at: http://linuxiso.org You'd better have a fast connection and a couple of blank CDs handy though -Sam
You can find Core Linux distribution here; it fits onto a 8cm CD-ROM and it contains all the base packages you need for a minimal system installation. As I've said in one of my previous post, this was the installation sequence I followed: - booted with Core CD-ROM, created the root partition, the swap partition and copied the base utilities; - the Core CD-ROM comes with kernel 2.4.18; before building the customized kernel, I put the 2.4.22 sources and patched them with the low-latency patch; - compiled the kernel with iptables support and audio modules; - rebooted the new kernel; compiled dhcp client for my internet connection and configured iptables for NATting; - compiled a telnet daemon and ftp daemon for remote administration; - compiled ALSA driver and configured for my Maestro 3; - compiled mpg123; - compiled LCDProc and configured for HD47780 display (8-bit interface) I'm not at home by now, so I don't have the full list of the application I've installed on the box. I'll give you more details next week; anyway, if you need a very light system I really suggest you this one: works perfectly even with only 16 MB of RAM!!!! BTW, the weather is settling to sunny and warm, so maybe tomorrow I'll be able to saw the plastic....
Thanks guys! need very light system indeed, must start really fast because i want to use it just like you: a jukebox running on linux. I've downloaded the package you suggested and i'll take an look at it tomorrow.
After a lot of hand work, I've finally got rid of all that plastic nerves; here is the result: It needs a bit of filing and trimming, but it's almost done. I made a test with the motherboard in order to mark the holes for standoffs: As you can see, all the motherboard ports won't be exposed, so I've prepared some extenders for the back panel of the box: AUDIO I used a piece of plexy to make a bracket for the two RCA Audio plugs the bracket fits perfectly to the backplate and this is the assembled extender ETHERNET I'll use two NICs, so I made two RJ45 extenders: I've also drilled the hole for the new PSU fan: The hole is not perfectly round because the backpanel was slotted here and there, but I don't mind as it will be always hidden. I've decided to replace the original PSU fan because the standard 80x80 fan doesn't fit into the box; so I'll place a more silent 60x60 fan taken from an old CPU cooler... Up to now I'm connecting the PSU and CPU fans to the 12V rail, but I'll move them to 5V if they are too noisy. Finally I've made the hole for the AC socket: Now that the hard work has been done, I can start putting everything into the box...
I REALLY love this one!Mainly because it'll run on Linux, but i also because of it is in an cdplayer!, i also like the way u used the old IR port from the cdplayer. I have an old VCR which also has an IR on it. It an JVC i believe, could i use that one for the same purpose as you are? Keep on
I think you can use the IR receiver from your VCR; you just have to get the model number and google here and ther to find some useful information... In my case, I was initially stuck because the receiver was enclosed in a metallic shield and it was labelled SHARP 15U521X; I wasn't able to find any data with google, so I desoldered it from the pcb and gently removed it from the shield, trying to argue the pinout... Then I decided to give another shot to google and I've searched "sharp ir receiver" and KABOOM!!! I found the datasheet for a SHARP GP1U581Y IR receiver and discovered that my device was phased-out, but pin-compatible with the new one, so I soldered all the required components and it worked with no problems... So, I suggest you to load yourself with a lot of patience and google a lot!
Thanks Cereal! I've placed some stuff into the box.... Just getting pics from my camera and uploading to Photobucket.... Expect an update this morning...
Time for an update: I've fixed the motherboard and the PSU into the box and they sit quite comfortably in their place The cabling is quite messy, but I don't mind because everything will be inside.... Here is a detail of the modded PSU with the new small fan: The white connector on the front is for the LCD power (5V). I've screwed the audio panel to the back plate and glued the two ethernet extenders with hot glue: The cutting for the RJ45 plugs is not so clean, but I don't mind because I'm going to put this: a brand new back panel made with CorelDRAW and printed on heavy glossy paper... I've connected everything and made a test run: the extenders work perfectly ; I'm only concerned with the noise level, but I have to check it when the box is closed... The LCD was then attached to the front panel with double-sided tape: Now I have to work on this: this is the original PCB that was attached to the front panel; I've desoldered the original display (I'll keep it apart for some nice experiments!!!) and you can see the place where the IR sensor was originally (the small square on the bottom). I plan to cut the board in order to keep the leftmost part with the IR sensor and the buttons for play/pause/next/prev/and-so-on... More fun this night!
dont minimize your perfection....the back panel is still perfect!!!!! and yes, the wires are kind of....wild? you should consider taming them....better airflow.
I have some white spiral wrap but it's too small to hold all the motherboard power cables.... As you can see I'm trying to keep together all those cables with two cable ties, but I'm thinking to split the cables in two groups and use the spiral wrap.... Maybe I'll do it this night... Thanks for your comments and it's not so perfect!
Yesterday I had another modding night; here are some updates... IR SENSOR I've cut the original PCB as planned and I've soldered the SHARP IR sensor with its metallic shield: Then the PCB was screwed to the front panel and here is how it looks when everything is in place: From this pic you can see how the IR sensor is positioned on the front panel... ... and here you can see the front panel fully assembled ASSEMBLED BOX Here are some pics of the box with the front panel screwed on: Now I have to think about the way to fix the HDD and the slim DVD drive; I'll probably make a sort of bracket out of a piece of plexy. I've taken some rough measurements and it seems that I can use the RAM modules as "standoffs" for the plexy on one side, while on the other I have to find a way to fix the plexy tray to the box.... Some brainstorming is ongoing.....
did you just mod that ir reciever then to work?? as ive got a creative blaster one but it dosnt work properly and would love to know how you modded yours to work so i can perhaps mod mine aswell cheers!
**** some threw my JVC VCR ir sensor away well suppose i'll have to find an otherone! Oh and papeniglio, your cd-player looks sweet! . EDIT: I'm very curios how you'll built that HDD in and the DVD player, i'll look forward to more progress!
Ahem, sorry but it's quite difficult to understand your post I didn't mod any IR receiver; an IR receiver is a standard electronic device with 3 pins: - positive power supply - ground - data To connect it to your PC you need just few components and three wires (you can find a good guide by Alessio Sangalli); then you can use LIRC to make the system "learn" the keys of your remote and some other program to make the system "act". Be more specific about your IR device if you want more suggestions...
Thanks DjFuzz ! Regarding your IR sensor, don't worry; you can find this device for a very low price in any electronic component shop, or perhaps you can "borrow" it from other devices you find around you!!! Regarding the HDD/DVD, I've drawn a scketch for a tray that could fit into the box... I'll try this night, so stay tuned....
I made the same thing with linux... and made a howto off it : http://home-12.tiscali-business.nl/~tpm33065/mp3box hope you can do something with it...
loveing it mate. I got to say. Glad it all fit. It's hard work getting it all to fit. Where did you buy that lcd from. Im trying to find a cheap lcd place
