[shmerek]

The monitor on my bondi died ages ago, I hooked up an external monitor and that was that. Recently I got tired of the big assed bondi sitting there taking up space so I decided to cram everything in a PC case that I can chuck under my desk.

I basically copied the ibox hack. Here is what mine looks like in its current state


All that is inside the case is the motherboard, the power board and the little board that the monitor hook up is on, as you can see it really isn't finished. I have two questions:

1) The cd rom cable use 50 socket IDE (?) cabling, I was just going to go out and buy a foot of the stuff and then clip the connectors onto the ends. How hard is this to do, what kinds of tools do I need and is there any special way the cable needs to be arranged?

2) The imac's original fan was hooked up to the board that powered the monitor, I no longer have that board so how do I power a fan? I thought of splitting the IDE cable but I have already added a second hard drive so that isn't really an option. Is there any other way to do it?

I really don't have a heck of a lot of tools here I have mounted all the parts and chucked it together with only a screwdriver, a pair of pliers and a whole bunch of nuts and bolts.

here is a view from the top so you can see how the mother board and power do-hicky



and this is what the front looks like



Yes I know it is really ugly but it isn't done just yet. The case was just one I found on the street outside my house, it doesn't get any cheaper than that! This project is all about cheap.

[jaisun]

Now that's a Frankenmac!

Anyway, I'd probably just buy a new cable instead of trying to build one. You run the risk of data loss and possible corruption with DIY cabling...heck, I'd send you a spare for the cost of shipping. They're wicked cheap on eBay...or if you don't like the bidding thang, check pricewatch.com.

As for the fan, if you don't mind it being on all the time (versus being controlled by the mobo), just splice into the power cable leading to one of your HDDs...however, the cleaner way to do it is to build a Y-split power cable using 3 (1 male, 2 female) 4pin molex connectors and some 16 guage wire (or is it 18 guage?). The latter would only require needle-nose pliers (with a cutting surface...most have this). I'm sure you can find the molex connectors at Radio Shack...if not, check DigiKey.com. They have just about any random part you could ever want.

Hope that helps! Good luck with your project!

[shmerek]

Thanks for the reply.

[vmarks]

I actually build that cable. 12" is the length I do normally, but will do longer on request.

You don't risk data loss using a cable I make. I won't make one so long that the voltage drop over distance will matter.

The connectors are readily available, but I've only found the cable in 30 foot lengths at the shortest, so that's the fly in the ointment for you making your own.

I also still make the power adapter so that instead of the iMac power supply, you can use a standard ATX PC power supply.

[:XI:]

Personally, I'd have put the iMac under the desk.
Good luck on whatever plans you have for that… that… hmm…

[shmerek]

I will but it under the desk as soon as I sort out my cd cable. On the upside if anyone ever breaks in they won't think to steal my mac because it looks like a turd of a PC