[macfixx]

What to do with a broken iMac:
http://www.olympus.net/community/smug/ibox/

[kbbaucom]

That's assuming your power board is good. vmarks has a solution that will work with an ATX PSU. Still pretty cool though.

[Will C]

I'm impressed, I wonder if anyone will work out a way to add PCI slots next.

[macfixx]

Originally posted by Will C:
<STRONG>I'm impressed, I wonder if anyone will work out a way to add PCI slots next.</STRONG>

The most difficult part of the project was the CD ribbon cable. When I emailed Marathon about purchasing the cable they use in their iRack they just wanted to know my shipping address. A few days later the cable arrived at no cost. Now that's a great company!

[vmarks]

Originally posted by macfixx:
<STRONG>

The most difficult part of the project was the CD ribbon cable. When I emailed Marathon about purchasing the cable they use in their iRack they just wanted to know my shipping address. A few days later the cable arrived at no cost. Now that's a great company!</STRONG>

I actually make up the cdrom cable, two connectors and some flat cable from digi-key.com

I also use the ATX supply, which is more affordable to replace, and smaller than the iMac supply. I suspect it's a little more reliable, too.

You did a really nice job! Way to go!

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com

Oh, note to WillC- the mezzanine slot that is in Rev.A and B iMacs, and has solder pads on the rev.C and D iMacs, is a variety of PCI, that gets used in high end servers. You can get all kinds of cards- the problem is, where will you get the Mac drivers from?

[ 11-29-2001: Message edited by: vmarks ]

[macfixx]

Originally posted by vmarks:
<STRONG>

I actually make up the cdrom cable, two connectors and some flat cable from digi-key.com

I also use the ATX supply, which is more affordable to replace, and smaller than the iMac supply. I suspect it's a little more reliable, too.

You did a really nice job! Way to go!

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com

Oh, note to WillC- the mezzanine slot that is in Rev.A and B iMacs, and has solder pads on the rev.C and D iMacs, is a variety of PCI, that gets used in high end servers. You can get all kinds of cards- the problem is, where will you get the Mac drivers from?

[ 11-29-2001: Message edited by: vmarks ]</STRONG>

I was seriously looking around the web for an answer on using the ATX power supply. Sure would have made the job easier and been a much more elegant solution. I am interested in your adapter and a rack mount case. Let us know how to get one.

[vmarks]

Email me to talk about getting one of my adapters.

I don't sell rackmount cases. I find that they're expensive, especially if you don't need to rackmount the unit. A Centris case is just as slim. I use 1U rackmount power supplies, which can be bought for about $50.

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com

[macfixx]

Originally posted by vmarks:
<STRONG>Email me to talk about getting one of my adapters.

I don't sell rackmount cases. I find that they're expensive, especially if you don't need to rackmount the unit. A Centris case is just as slim. I use 1U rackmount power supplies, which can be bought for about $50.

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com</STRONG>

I've got three 6100's sitting in my garage. Got any pix using the Centris case? Where do you get your $50 power supplies?

Jay Cline
macfixx@mac.com

[vmarks]

Originally posted by macfixx:
<STRONG>

I've got three 6100's sitting in my garage. Got any pix using the Centris case? Where do you get your $50 power supplies?

Jay Cline
macfixx@mac.com</STRONG>

No pics of the iMac in Centris yet, but soon. I've also got one half finished in an LC II case. I'll either post a new thread or add a post in the thread about the adapter.

I bought my $50 supplies over ebay- I got 300w for $52. The place I bought from seemed to have many more in quantity, I just couldn't afford more than two at that time. If you like, I can dig through my email and see if I can find them for you.

Alternatively, there are plenty of places that will sell 180watt 1U supplies for $55~. You can use a 150w with the iMac board, there just aren't any peripherals that draw that much power, especially since there aren't any PCI slots to power.

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com

[macfixx]

Originally posted by vmarks:
<STRONG>

No pics of the iMac in Centris yet, but soon. I've also got one half finished in an LC II case. I'll either post a new thread or add a post in the thread about the adapter.

I bought my $50 supplies over ebay- I got 300w for $52. The place I bought from seemed to have many more in quantity, I just couldn't afford more than two at that time. If you like, I can dig through my email and see if I can find them for you.

Alternatively, there are plenty of places that will sell 180watt 1U supplies for $55~. You can use a 150w with the iMac board, there just aren't any peripherals that draw that much power, especially since there aren't any PCI slots to power.

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com</STRONG>

Have you ever heard of anyone adapting a 6100 power supply to work with the iMac logic board?

[vmarks]

No, but remember, the iMac needs 3.3volt, 5volt, and 12volts, as well as a +5v trickle (always on) and a PFW signal that controls how the thing turns on and shuts down.

the 68k based macs only have 5v and 12v. Take a look at your 6100 supply and see what it says on the sticker on it?

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com

[macfixx]

Originally posted by vmarks:
<STRONG>No, but remember, the iMac needs 3.3volt, 5volt, and 12volts, as well as a +5v trickle (always on) and a PFW signal that controls how the thing turns on and shuts down.

the 68k based macs only have 5v and 12v. Take a look at your 6100 supply and see what it says on the sticker on it?

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com</STRONG>

=========================
+5, +12, -12 just as you thought.

[vmarks]

Originally posted by macfixx:
<STRONG>

=========================
+5, +12, -12 just as you thought.</STRONG>

Still, in the big PC case you used, you could just use a regular ATX supply in the original mounting points.. and then make a nice backplate with cutouts for the ports..

[macfixx]

Originally posted by vmarks:
<STRONG>

Still, in the big PC case you used, you could just use a regular ATX supply in the original mounting points.. and then make a nice backplate with cutouts for the ports..</STRONG>

On the early iMacs the cable coming from the power supply board connects to a curcuit board that stands off the main logic board. What is the purpose of that curcuit board and is there an elegant way to move it or not use it at all? I'd like to rack mount the logic board but that curcuit board is getting in the way.

macfixx@mac.com

[vmarks]

Originally posted by macfixx:
<STRONG>

On the early iMacs the cable coming from the power supply board connects to a curcuit board that stands off the main logic board. What is the purpose of that curcuit board and is there an elegant way to move it or not use it at all? I'd like to rack mount the logic board but that curcuit board is getting in the way.

macfixx@mac.com</STRONG>

That's a power filter. It's normally incorporated into the ATX supply. I replace it with my board. Much skinnier for rack mounting.

[mitchell_pgh]

Damn that thing is U-G-L-Y. Good job on the hack, and great pictures. Makes you appreciate the iMac and towers design.

[macfixx]

Originally posted by mitchell_pgh:
<STRONG>Damn that thing is U-G-L-Y. Good job on the hack, and great pictures. Makes you appreciate the iMac and towers design.</STRONG>

It is ugly sitting next to my G4, but practical, I use it as a mp3 storage device and plan to use it as a Internet file server once we get DSL out here in the pacific northwet.

Looking for a small block Ford to hack that new Segway *-)

[vmarks]

Originally posted by macfixx:
<STRONG>

It is ugly sitting next to my G4, but practical, I use it as a mp3 storage device and plan to use it as a Internet file server once we get DSL out here in the pacific northwet.

Looking for a small block Ford to hack that new Segway *-)</STRONG>

Didn't you know you're supposed to use translucent blue ATX cases?
(sarcasm.. I think the black is pretty sharp, considering. still you need to make a port plate for the back of the case...)

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com

[macfixx]

Originally posted by vmarks:
<STRONG>


Didn't you know you're supposed to use translucent blue ATX cases?
(sarcasm.. I think the black is pretty sharp, considering. still you need to make a port plate for the back of the case...)

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com</STRONG>

I made a rear cover by cutting up the top plate of a blue and white G3 but have left if off. I need your adapter to install the ATX power supply!

If I pulled out that huge iMac power supply there would be enough room inside the case to install a second iMac logic board. Two processors, two CD drives, two hard drives running at the same time...using one case!

It just has to happen...

[vmarks]

Originally posted by macfixx:
<STRONG>

I made a rear cover by cutting up the top plate of a blue and white G3 but have left if off. I need your adapter to install the ATX power supply!

If I pulled out that huge iMac power supply there would be enough room inside the case to install a second iMac logic board. Two processors, two CD drives, two hard drives running at the same time...using one case!

It just has to happen...</STRONG>

Do this, but put a KVM inside the case so you can use one monitor, one mouse, and one keyboard- wire the switch to the front of the case so you can switch between the two...

[macfixx]

Originally posted by vmarks:
<STRONG>

Do this, but put a KVM inside the case so you can use one monitor, one mouse, and one keyboard- wire the switch to the front of the case so you can switch between the two...</STRONG>

How about an Appleseed cluster? Is it reasonable to assume that one 300 watt power supply would support both logic boards and even more interesting, can you build an adapter that allows me to plug in one power supply for both logic boards? Would a "Y" cable coming off your adapter be sufficient?

Jay Cline
macfixx@mac.com
cline@olympus.net

[vmarks]

Originally posted by macfixx:
<STRONG>

How about an Appleseed cluster? Is it reasonable to assume that one 300 watt power supply would support both logic boards and even more interesting, can you build an adapter that allows me to plug in one power supply for both logic boards? Would a "Y" cable coming off your adapter be sufficient?

Jay Cline
macfixx@mac.com
cline@olympus.net</STRONG>

You could still do a 2 node appleseed cluster, but you'd really want to have a KVM.

a splitter would be annoying to make on the 26pins that come out of the adapter to the iMac motherboard- it'd be easier to make one on the side coming from the ATX supply- but then you'd need two of my boards.
Nothing stopping you from doing it either way, but I know I wouldn't want to make up one.

Yes, you could probably power the iMac on one 300w, although, there is one problem- the PS_ON# signal on the ATX gets converted to the PFW signal on the iMac (controls shuttdown.) If this voltage isn't JUST right (I control it with a transistor and two resistors) it restarts instead of shutting down, or it won't ever start up at all. If it were split across two motherboards, I'm not sure what it would do.

I'd need to think about that and see what would happen. Obviously, my recommendation is, use two supplies. It's simpler, easier to diagnose if something goes wrong.

[macfixx]

Originally posted by vmarks:
<STRONG>

You could still do a 2 node appleseed cluster, but you'd really want to have a KVM.

a splitter would be annoying to make on the 26pins that come out of the adapter to the iMac motherboard- it'd be easier to make one on the side coming from the ATX supply- but then you'd need two of my boards.
Nothing stopping you from doing it either way, but I know I wouldn't want to make up one.

Yes, you could probably power the iMac on one 300w, although, there is one problem- the PS_ON# signal on the ATX gets converted to the PFW signal on the iMac (controls shuttdown.) If this voltage isn't JUST right (I control it with a transistor and two resistors) it restarts instead of shutting down, or it won't ever start up at all. If it were split across two motherboards, I'm not sure what it would do.

I'd need to think about that and see what would happen. Obviously, my recommendation is, use two supplies. It's simpler, easier to diagnose if something goes wrong.</STRONG>

Two full size power supplies wired together using one AC cable would work, there is plenty of room at the top of the case. Do you give discounts for multiple adapters? *-)

Originally posted by macfixx:
<STRONG>


Two full size power supplies wired together using one AC cable would work, there is plenty of room at the top of the case. Do you give discounts for multiple adapters? *-)</STRONG>

Yes, I do. I just decided to.

I announced in the other thread that I was charging $80 for each adapter and cd-rom cable.

For two, I'll charge $130, saving you thirty dollars. It's very near to giving them away, but I'll do it, and I'll honor this statement for anyone else who wants to buy two. I need to send out an announcement by email for all who have contacted me of this decision.

[macfixx]

Originally posted by &lt;vmarks&gt;:
<STRONG>

Yes, I do. I just decided to.

I announced in the other thread that I was charging $80 for each adapter and cd-rom cable.

For two, I'll charge $130, saving you thirty dollars. It's very near to giving them away, but I'll do it, and I'll honor this statement for anyone else who wants to buy two. I need to send out an announcement by email for all who have contacted me of this decision.</STRONG>

I was looking closers at Marathon's iRack and they said there is an external power supply brick. Does anyone know if there is an internal power supply also.

jc

Originally posted by macfixx:
<STRONG>

I was looking closers at Marathon's iRack and they said there is an external power supply brick. Does anyone know if there is an internal power supply also.

jc</STRONG>

Marathon's uses an internal supply for certain. look at the pdf file, and you'll see it. Theirs is a funny, non-standard supply that was made for the specific application.

If they use a brick, it's to get the voltage down to match what the internal supply expects, but I'm surprised- I thought they wouldn't need to.

Mine is all internal- I'm happier with it that way.

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com

[macfixx]

Originally posted by &lt;vmarks&gt;:
<STRONG>

Marathon's uses an internal supply for certain. look at the pdf file, and you'll see it. Theirs is a funny, non-standard supply that was made for the specific application.

If they use a brick, it's to get the voltage down to match what the internal supply expects, but I'm surprised- I thought they wouldn't need to.

Mine is all internal- I'm happier with it that way.

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com</STRONG>

I was just thinking how much easier it would be to rack mount an iMac if you could use one of your adapters and a standard ATX power supply in a separate box on the floor.

[vmarks]

Originally posted by macfixx:
<STRONG>

I was just thinking how much easier it would be to rack mount an iMac if you could use one of your adapters and a standard ATX power supply in a separate box on the floor.</STRONG>

There's no great advantage to using a full size ATX. You can get cheap ones cheaper than 1U ATX, but cheaper means the quality is worse.
There are ATX cable extenders, you could mount the power supply outside the case, but I don't think you gain much by it.

[macfixx]

Today I was looking at a Pioneer car audio amplifier. I was thinking that the 70 watt 12 volt amplifier would fit in the top open space and would really help the iBox to put out some sound. Any thoughts as to using power from the hard drive connector or should I just go with a AC/DC adapter?

[vmarks]

Originally posted by macfixx:
<STRONG>Today I was looking at a Pioneer car audio amplifier. I was thinking that the 70 watt 12 volt amplifier would fit in the top open space and would really help the iBox to put out some sound. Any thoughts as to using power from the hard drive connector or should I just go with a AC/DC adapter?</STRONG>

use the connector on the hard drive- I presume you already got a splitter/extension that will let you connect more than just the hard drive.

the red and black are +12v and ground. the yellow and black are +5v and ground. use your voltmeter and check me on this.

now, I'm betting that the iMac power supply you used doesn't have enough power to run both the computer, cd-rom, and hard drive and still drive a full 70watts. try it.

if it doesn't work well, email me, and we'll talk about hooking you up with an ATX adapter and you can use a nice 250 to 300 watt ATX supply that should more than take care of this project.

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com

[JoeG4]

When will somone stick an iMac into a Color Classic and paint it blue? hehe!

[macfixx]

I just bought a Color Classic to add to my collection of old Macs, not sure how much more practical it would be than the iBox. I'll have to take a look inside and will study the Color Classic site in depth.

so far in the collection:
3 MacXL's, several 128k's, 512k's, Plus's, Classics,. They are all stacked up in the garage and act as an earthquake detector. If they all fall down, there has been an earthquake.

[vmarks]

There were people that put iMacs into Color Classics in Japan. They had the CD-Rom on the back of the computer so that it wouldn't spoil the look of the machine. other attempts have used a slot loading drive and widened the floppy slot for CD use.

You'd still have to use a modern powersupply with 12v, 5v, and 3.3v.

Victor Marks
lvmarks@mac.com