Computer modding

Computer modding

Re: Computer modding Posted by Wild Card on Sat May 22nd 2004 at 8:56pm
Wild Card
2321 posts
Posted 2004-05-22 8:56pm
2321 posts 391 snarkmarks Registered: May 20th 2002 Occupation: IT Consultant Location: Ontario, Canada
Some of you already know I did my mouse and monitor a month ago.. and I was thinking of keeping at it. lol. The monitor needs a few touch ups. But I also wanted to paint the inside of the case, since the outside is black, but the inside wasent painted. Same for the rear panel.

I also wanted to put in a little window to my hard drive. And change the case power LED light to a blue one (instead of green) and the HDD to a red one (instead of brown).

Just wondering what your thoughts were. Or what you have done to your computer.
Re: Computer modding Posted by scary_jeff on Sat May 22nd 2004 at 10:43pm
scary_jeff
1614 posts
Posted 2004-05-22 10:43pm
1614 posts 191 snarkmarks Registered: Aug 22nd 2001
Swapping the power and hdd LEDs for blue might be good, but not if you use your PC to watch movies in bed, since the flashing blue will be more distracting. I don't see what the point of painting the inside of the case is though?

I've seen the HD window guide, but that seemed pointless as well - even if you have a case window, you still can't see the top of the hard drive... Also consider that you might break, and will void the warranty of your drive... doesn't seem worth it.
Re: Computer modding Posted by Crono on Sat May 22nd 2004 at 11:44pm
Crono
6628 posts
Posted 2004-05-22 11:44pm
Crono
super admin
6628 posts 700 snarkmarks Registered: Dec 19th 2003 Location: Oregon, USA
There really is no point in 'modding' your case, especially with the additions you want to make.

If you change the LEDs for your case are you going to change the LEDs in the CD and Floppy? :lol:

I think the most 'modding' I ever did was that I ensures all my external parts were black :smile:
Re: Computer modding Posted by Biological Component on Sun May 23rd 2004 at 12:11am
Posted 2004-05-23 12:11am
500 posts 90 snarkmarks Registered: Apr 7th 2004 Location: USA
You could start with some nitro-powered turbos. Then maybe you could put in some hydrolic suspensions, and chrome plate the whole case. Then you could have maybe, like, say, seven layers of purple-fading-to-creme-colored automotive paint, baked on there with a message saying "Low Rider" somewhere. Oh, and dont forget the fuzzy dice.
Re: Computer modding Posted by Myrk- on Sun May 23rd 2004 at 12:15am
Myrk-
2299 posts
Posted 2004-05-23 12:15am
Myrk-
member
2299 posts 604 snarkmarks Registered: Feb 12th 2002 Occupation: CAD & Graphics Technician Location: Plymouth, UK
Just give it a glass side and spink up the inside, as for the monitor just shuv on some cool lights or something lol...

Btw Biological Component you know your avatar text has 2 errors in it...
Re: Computer modding Posted by DesPlesda on Sun May 23rd 2004 at 12:17am
DesPlesda
204 posts
Posted 2004-05-23 12:17am
204 posts 30 snarkmarks Registered: Feb 14th 2002 Occupation: Student Location: Tasmania, Australia
Two words.

Speed stripes.
Re: Computer modding Posted by Biological Component on Sun May 23rd 2004 at 12:25am
Posted 2004-05-23 12:25am
500 posts 90 snarkmarks Registered: Apr 7th 2004 Location: USA
Myrk- said:
Just give it a glass side and spink up the inside, as for the monitor just shuv on some cool lights or something lol...

Btw Biological Component you know your avatar text has 2 errors in it...
what errors?
Re: Computer modding Posted by Myrk- on Sun May 23rd 2004 at 12:26am
Myrk-
2299 posts
Posted 2004-05-23 12:26am
Myrk-
member
2299 posts 604 snarkmarks Registered: Feb 12th 2002 Occupation: CAD & Graphics Technician Location: Plymouth, UK
"01011000 01000101 01001110"

Now odd numbers of 0's or 1's in binary are errors, that cause computers to crash or slow down. You need even numbers in each set of 8.

God I know useless info lol :rolleyes:
Re: Computer modding Posted by Dark Tree on Sun May 23rd 2004 at 12:35am
Dark Tree
646 posts
Posted 2004-05-23 12:35am
646 posts 264 snarkmarks Registered: Apr 30th 2004 Occupation: DigiPen student Location: USA
Sorry Myrk, you are quite wrong. "01011000 01000101 01001110" does convert correctly to letters. If you want to know what it says, here is a link to where you can convert binary to text (and back). http://www.sitinthecorner.com/binary/binary.php
Re: Computer modding Posted by ReNo on Sun May 23rd 2004 at 12:40am
ReNo
5457 posts
Posted 2004-05-23 12:40am
ReNo
member
5457 posts 1991 snarkmarks Registered: Aug 22nd 2001 Occupation: Level Designer Location: Scotland
WTF myrk :wtf:
Re: Computer modding Posted by Kage_Prototype on Sun May 23rd 2004 at 12:41am
Kage_Prototype
1248 posts
Posted 2004-05-23 12:41am
1248 posts 165 snarkmarks Registered: Dec 10th 2003 Occupation: Student Location: Manchester UK
"01011000 01000101 01001110"

Now odd numbers of 0's or 1's in binary are errors, that cause computers to crash or slow down. You need even numbers in each set of 8.

God I know useless info lol :rolleyes:
You're right, it is useless. Because it's completely false. :smile:
Re: Computer modding Posted by DesPlesda on Sun May 23rd 2004 at 1:01am
DesPlesda
204 posts
Posted 2004-05-23 1:01am
204 posts 30 snarkmarks Registered: Feb 14th 2002 Occupation: Student Location: Tasmania, Australia
Uh, Myrk, that's close, but incorrect. What you're describing is parity, which is an error correction system. There are two modes of parity - even, and odd. If the system is using even parity, the last bit in every byte will be set to 1, to maintain an even number of 1's in the byte if required. When using odd parity, the last bit is set to 1 in order to maintain an odd number of 1's, if required.

Examples:

First Seven Bytes:
Even parity, 0110101
Therefore parity bit = 0 (There's an even number of 1s already)

Even parity, 1010010
Therefore parity bit = 1 (There's an odd number of bytes, so we set the bit to 1 to make it even)

The receiving computer checks each byte and counts the 1s. If the data is corrupted, most likely the number of 1s will be changed, and the parity check will fail.
Re: Computer modding Posted by ReNo on Sun May 23rd 2004 at 1:06am
ReNo
5457 posts
Posted 2004-05-23 1:06am
ReNo
member
5457 posts 1991 snarkmarks Registered: Aug 22nd 2001 Occupation: Level Designer Location: Scotland
Des, how the hell is your name green when you aren't a mod of any forums?
Re: Computer modding Posted by DesPlesda on Sun May 23rd 2004 at 1:07am
DesPlesda
204 posts
Posted 2004-05-23 1:07am
204 posts 30 snarkmarks Registered: Feb 14th 2002 Occupation: Student Location: Tasmania, Australia
I'm a mod, Lep just doesn't want my ego to bloat from seeing my name in the mod list.
Re: Computer modding Posted by Gwil on Sun May 23rd 2004 at 2:50pm
Gwil
2864 posts
Posted 2004-05-23 2:50pm
Gwil
super admin
2864 posts 315 snarkmarks Registered: Oct 13th 2001 Occupation: Student Location: Derbyshire, UK
Des?

He lurks with intent, and envisages secret world domination plans via the use of his minions :razz: At least that's what I'm lead to believe anyway :smile:

And please, please - computer modding is the fine art of glueing badges/sticking stickers to your case/monitor :smile: And a mascot on your monitor should do it :dorky:
Re: Computer modding Posted by Wild Card on Mon May 24th 2004 at 12:40am
Wild Card
2321 posts
Posted 2004-05-24 12:40am
2321 posts 391 snarkmarks Registered: May 20th 2002 Occupation: IT Consultant Location: Ontario, Canada
Hey how much room do you think there is between the drive spindle and the top cover? Cause Im wondering if (when I do the mod) the piece of plexi should go on top or underneath the top cover.
Re: Computer modding Posted by Wild Card on Mon May 24th 2004 at 1:36am
Wild Card
2321 posts
Posted 2004-05-24 1:36am
2321 posts 391 snarkmarks Registered: May 20th 2002 Occupation: IT Consultant Location: Ontario, Canada
Oh yea, for LED lights, how do I go abouts setting that up, I've looked from place to place but nothing seems good.

What I wanted to try was something of the sorts:

User posted image
Re: Computer modding Posted by fraggard on Mon May 24th 2004 at 5:09am
fraggard
1110 posts
Posted 2004-05-24 5:09am
fraggard
member
1110 posts 220 snarkmarks Registered: Jul 8th 2002 Occupation: Student Location: Bangalore, India
Erm, you might want to watch the voltages/currents the molex connectors can handle. If you overload either the LEDs or the power supply, you might have a few burnt components later on. LEDs are usually connected in series with resistors to ensure the voltages are correct... Check the LEDs specs first before you go connecting them up.
Re: Computer modding Posted by scary_jeff on Mon May 24th 2004 at 9:23am
scary_jeff
1614 posts
Posted 2004-05-24 9:23am
1614 posts 191 snarkmarks Registered: Aug 22nd 2001
You need to find out the rated current for the LEDs, and the voltage drop for the LEDs (these will be on their datasheet). Then decide what rail you will power them from. To work out the resistor you need if you are putting them all in series, (I think) you want:

((voltage of chosen rail) - (voltage drop*number of LEDs in series)) / rated current for one LED.

If the numerator is negative, then you can't power the number of LEDs you chose in series with that supply rail.

But seriously, don't do a HDD window. Hard drives are air tight for a reason. You won't be able to see that the window is there, even if looking closely at the PC, because the HDD sits in a drive bay. It just isn't worth the risk at all of losing all your data...