[waffffffle]

I've got a Pismo 400 that I am pretty sure is now permanently retired to my desk. I posted a thread about this decision of mine here. Currently I have my Pismo on my desk, elevated on a stack of 10 jewel CD cases so that I can slide my Microsoft Office Keyboard (which is enormous) underneath it somewhat. However this is not a very good system. Even though the computer hasn't falled down yet with my luck it will soon. It is very unstable. I can type lightly on the Pismo's built in keyboard and use the trackpad a bit (even though I have no reason to anymore except out of habit) but it I push too hard then the computer looks like its going to fall. Also I can't really slide my keyboard as far underneath as I would like and when it is underneath I can't see the keys very well because no light gets on the keyboard.

So bascally I'm looking for a way to detach the lcd of my Pismo from the rest of the computer and maybe put the computer in my drawer in my desk. I would like to keep it flat if possible so that I can use the CD drive. Then I wold like to mount the LCD in some way so that I can use it as if it were any other LCD monitor. Does anyone know if this is possible? Does anyone have any better ideas as to how to set this up?

I was looking originally for an extendable arm that I could clamp to my desk and just keep the computer on that but then I could also move it around and out of my way when I needed desk space. I have experimented with moving the stack of CDs around but I think that I basically want just the LCD above my desk and the rest of the computer somewher else. Although I have grown somewhat attached to this machine so I hope that any mods I do to it wouldn't be permanent.

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[TomHMeredith]

I'm sure this would be possible, probably without any permanant modifications.

You'd have to dissasemble the Pismo so that the screen was physically detached from the base, then you would need to build your own monitor cable. The easiest way to do this would be to buy a replacement monitor cable (www.pbparts.com ?) so that you have the physical connector that will plug into the socket (on either the motherboard or screen, up to you) and then get some wire and simply extend the wire, shouldn't be to difficult - just make sure you do it right! Don't mix up any wires!

Of course, If you are using Airport and the internal mic on the screen you would need to extend the wires for these as well.

Then simply stick the scren on the wall somehow, and the base in the desk.

Tom

[waffffffle]

At second thought I'm a bit afraid to do this. I guess I've grown to attached to the machine to take it apart in that way.

Instead I was wondering if anyone has any ideas as to how I can get better light on my keyboard since it's very much hidden by the comupter and the shadows cast on the keys make it hard to see the letters since they are written in reflective silver on dark grey keys. So then if there's no light on the keys then there's very little contrast between the silver and the grey.

Can I run some of the EL lighting underneath my Pismo? Right now my stack of CDs is actually pretty spiffy. I taked them together with duct tape and attached a AA battery to the bottom back so that it tilts forward nicely. I'm thinking I can just modify it a bit to make it a littel sturdier and add that lighting and I would be set. It looks kinda nice. I'll have to take a picture soon to show you people. I'm really quite proud of it. Too bad I don't have a digital camera.

[RWoelk]

A simple solution would be to add the ever flexible "fly light" to one of your usb ports. $20.00 and you're good to go.

[ 04-24-2002: Message edited by: RWoelk ]