It was the logical thing to do.

captaincurran · #1 (**permalink**) 31st January, 2006, 07:37 PM

thanks to an AOA case badge, my mostly DOA computer is alive. so that means i get to mod her now. Keeping in the theme of Star Trek with my mods, I'm doing a star trek mod to this. A window in the shape of the Vulcan IDIC. That stands for Infinite Diversity In Infinite Combinations.

When i get paid next (Sometime in Feb) I'm gonna go pick up some Silver spraypaint, i've learned my lesson for using a brush. It didn't turn out as nicely as i hoped. So i'm going with spray paint. i'm also gonna pick up some light blue paint for it, to do the trim, the drive bay fronts. perhaps, after i've got the paint and the acrylic, i'll do a lil mod with the power buttons.

the power button mod idea is, i'll cut out around it, and just put a lil window around the button. and light it up with a blue led. same with the reset button. i may also put some blue leds in the bottom of the bezel where the front usb ports are, just to light that up as well.

as for internal lighting, a pair of blue LED fans, and a couple blue led or Cold cathrode tubes will be put in.

Pics:
Insides of the case and the front sporting off the new AOA Case Badge

robbie · #2 (**permalink**) 31st January, 2006, 07:39 PM

AOA OWNS you!!!

captaincurran · #3 (**permalink**) 31st January, 2006, 07:44 PM

a few more pics, including my designs for the window

pics: more of the front, and the bottom image on the left is the cut out, the image on the right is my planning pic

booman · #4 (**permalink**) 1st February, 2006, 04:03 PM

Sounds like another Awsome idea! What kind of LEDs are you using to light up the power button area? and how do you powerthem?
That is something I could do for my mods also
Keep up the hard work with Star Trek mods!!!!

captaincurran · #5 (**permalink**) 1st February, 2006, 04:09 PM

i was just gonna do a couple regular blue leds, probably tied into a molex cable, the 5 volt wire on it.

Favu · #6 (**permalink**) 1st February, 2006, 04:14 PM

AOA modders for teh win!!!

booman · #7 (**permalink**) 2nd February, 2006, 12:21 PM

Are you talking about just regular LED like the ones used for the power one switch? How do you attach those to a molex cable? I was reading a modd in a magazine, I think it was maximum pc, about modding electronics like that.
I would love to try it.

Oh, one idea that would be right up your alley, I almost don't want to tell you because I may do it myself,
An awsome Star Trek mod would be to install some old fashioned 60's computer buttons to your case and make them light up like in the origional Star Trek ship panels.

captaincurran · #8 (**permalink**) 2nd February, 2006, 12:59 PM

I was gonna do it pretty much like the power leds, but have them on constantly. i was thinking i would just solder them together then solder the wires to the molex cable.

i was actually thinking of doing the whole case to make it look like a peice of computer panel or something. but i thought nah, not till i've got more equipment and materials.

booman · #9 (**permalink**) 2nd February, 2006, 01:25 PM

I don't know where you could find some old 60's buttons...
maybe make some???
I bet you could find old buttons at an electronics store.

So if I just solder the led to a molex cable that would power the leds constantly? Will they blow if they get too much power?
That would be a fun idea to have creatively placed leds on the case.

captaincurran · #10 (**permalink**) 2nd February, 2006, 01:31 PM

you might need resistors depending on which wire of the molex cable you put your leds on, and how many you put, plus the amount of power the leds need too is a consideration. it'd only be on aslong as your pc is on

captaincurran · #11 (**permalink**) 2nd February, 2006, 08:49 PM

okay, i was gonna cut the window today, but i slept in too late and Diablo 2 sucked me in again. so by time i thought of it, it was already nearing 9 which is the dorm's Quiet Hours, monday thru Thursday. I got the template cut out for the Window, I'm tempted to print out another, and just put it on my wall as decoration. It took 4 pages of paper. the light grey area is where the hand space thingy is.

captaincurran · #12 (**permalink**) 3rd February, 2006, 04:49 PM

Okay, i've got my window cut out, mind you it's really flimsy still cuz i don't have any acrilic lying around.

so i'll get some middle of the month. Here's some pics

First is the sock i used to clean the dust and crap off with.

Then the next few are the back views of the panel. the fourth pic is showing how low i cut.

i should have put the template higher. Oh well.

captaincurran · #13 (**permalink**) 3rd February, 2006, 04:51 PM

more pics, and BTW that sock was perfectly white before i used it on the case

EDIT: That's my thumb there holding the inner circle up, it's really flimsy

booman · #14 (**permalink**) 3rd February, 2006, 05:03 PM

Wow! captaincurran, its looking great. Do you have plexi-glass behind the design on your computer in that one photo?
You did a great job with accurate cutting. You keep saying its flimsy...
what kind of metal did you use?
Keep the pics coming.... can you make them a little higher quality?

captaincurran · #15 (**permalink**) 3rd February, 2006, 05:34 PM

nope. no plexiglass, or acrylic. I just took my time with the cutting. It's flimsy cuz part of the metal is only a few CMs wide. I just used the standard side that came with the case. I actually used my webcam to take pics. I could use my scanner but it just wouldn't give the same effect

Azriel · #16 (**permalink**) 4th February, 2006, 11:31 AM

Very nice dremel work. I am impressed.

dsio · #17 (**permalink**) 4th February, 2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captaincurran

more pics, and BTW that sock was perfectly white before i used it on the case

EDIT: That's my thumb there holding the inner circle up, it's really flimsy

You have very beautiful strong hands.