*** Case-Mod FAQ *** Updated Rules 5/13/06

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FLECOM

FLECOM

Modder(ator) & [H]ardest Folder Evar
Staff member
Joined
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Messages
15,814
Welcome to the *** Case-Mod FAQ *** -
Please Read This BEFORE asking questions!


NOTICE TO NEW VENDORS
Advertising is not permitted here. Unless you have something unique to show us - we don't want to know

NOTICE TO MODDING/FABRICATING/CUSTOMIZING BUSINESSES AND HOBBYISTS
This isn't a place to pimp your business. If someone asks for help or a service, send them a private message. Any other posts soliciting a service will be deleted.

Before you post in Cool Cases please read the FAQ below
The FAQ is organized to the best of my abilities, if you cannot find something try useing your browser's Find feature to search for it in the page. If it is not here then feel free to post your question in the forum

NOTICE to ALL - THE RULES
Do NOT air grievances regarding online retailers in here.
Do NOT post comments in the Mod Gallery thread.
Do NOT post un-answered questions in this FAQ thread.
Do NOT post those stupid photo-chopped pics in this forum
Do NOT link directly to pictures hosted on other peoples servers.
DO post pics of your modded rig in the Mod Gallery

Need a place to host your mod pics?
http://imageshack.us/

IF you have something to add to the faq
Please send me (FLECOM), Qtip42, or any of the mods a Private Message, formatted correctly (or at least somewhat correctly ;)) and ready to be copied & pasted into the existing FAQ.



BASSKOZZ'S BEST PLACES TO BUY PARTS - online:
---
BeCooling.com
http://www.becooling.com/

Buy.com
http://www.Buy.com/

Case-Mod.com
http://www.case-mod.com/

ChiefValue.com
http://www.ChiefValue.com/

ClubIT.com
http://www.Clubit.com/

CoolerGuys.com
http://www.coolerguys.com/

CyberGuys.com
http://www.cyberguys.com

DangerDen.com
http://www.dangerden.com/

Directron.com
http://www.directron.com/

EWiz.com
http://www.ewiz.com/

FrozenCPU.com
http://www.frozencpu.com/

Geeks.com
http://www.geeks.com/

HeatSinkFactory.com
http://www.heatsinkfactory.com/

Jab-Tech.com
http://www.jab-tech.com/

MNPCTech.com
http://www.MNPCTECH.com/

MonarchComputer.com
http://www.Monarchcomputer.com/

MonoPrice.com - Great Deals on Cables, etc...
http://www.monoprice.com

Mwave.com
http://www.mwave.com

Newegg.com
http://www.newegg.com/

Outpost.com / Fry's
http://www.outpost.com/

OverCool.com
http://www.overcool.com

PCToys.com
http://www.pctoys.com/

Performance-PCS.com
http://www.performance-pcs.com/

PetrasTechShop.com
http://www.petrastechshop.com/

SharaComputer.com
http://www.sharkacomputers.com/

SidewinderComputers.com
http://sidewindercomputers.com/

So-TrickComputer.com
http://www.so-trickcomputers.com/

SundialMicro.com
http://www.sundialmicro.com/

SVC.com
http://www.SVC.com/

TigerDirect.com
http://www.tigerdirect.com/

VoyerMods.com
http://www.voyeurmods.com/

xoxide.com
http://www.xoxide.com/

ZipZoomFly.com
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/

==============================

---USED/Refurbished PARTS---

AccurateIT.com
http://www.accurateit.com/

DumpingGoods.com
http://www.dumpinggoods.com/

PCLiquidator.com
http://www.pcliquidator.com/

RetroBox.com - USED corporate boxes
http://www.retrobox.com/rbwww/home/

SurplusComputers.com
http://www.surpluscomputers.com

==============================

---Paint Supplies---

Blick Art Materials
http://www.dickblick.com/

========================================================================================

Search Engines: (3)

Froogle.com
http://www.froggle.com/

PriceGrabber.com
http://www.Pricegrabber.com/

PriceWatch.com
http://www.PriceWatch.com

========================================================================================

Resources: (1)

ResellerRatings.com
http://www.ResellerRatings.com/

========================================================================================

Deal Sites: (4)

BensBargins.net
http://www.bensbargains.net/

FatWallet.com
http://www.fatwallet.com/

SlickDeals.net
http://www.slickdeals.net/

TechBargins.com
http://www.techbargains.com/

========================================================================================

Australian Site’s:

http://www.pccasegear.com - for hard to get (in Aus) mod parts.

http://www.staticice.com - Aus search engine.
​
 
A
Alienware: Cases
Q: Where can I get the new Alienware Case.??
A: If you really must have one of these, you can get them Here

Q: But, I REALLY like the Alienware Case, I can't afford an Alienware system ... Can't I just buy the case by itself?
A: Nope

Q: But, I REALLY REALLY like the new Alienware Case, I can't afford an Alienware system... What can I do, aren't these just OEM's from Chenming or Cheiftec? Can I just buy a knock off?
A: Nope, according to Alex Aguila President of Alienware the new look will be exclusive to Alienware forever.

Q: I REALLY REALLY REALLY like the new Alienware Big Ugly Plastic Head Alien Case. I feel like I should post a statement, question, or poll about it on every discussion board I can find. What should I do?
A: Prepeare to get flamed!

Anodized aluminum products (except aluminum mesh)
http://www.so-trickcomputers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=S&Category_Code=A

Anodizing: How Can I Do It Myself?
Generally, one would ship an aluminum part to an established anodizer, who has the know how and experience to correctly anodize your part. However, if you want to investigate how you'd do it yourself;
http://www.paintballtimes.com/Article.asp?ID=74

Appliques: Applying
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=106
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/pcmods_winapp/index.shtml
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/179/1

Appliques: DIY Color Appliques
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=198

AT case to ATX case conversion
http://www.moddingzone.com/articles/at-to-atx/

ATX case specifications (for building custom cases)
dimensions specified for ATX, FlexATX, MicroATX, NLX and SFX.
http://www.formfactors.org/devlist.asp?FFID=1&CatID=-1

B
BayBus: Fan Bus
http://www.fanbus.com < Quite a few designes
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/fanbus/index.shtml < simple fan bus
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/led_baybus/index.shtml < on/off baybus w/blue LEDs
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/7v_12v_baybus/index.shtml < Good 7v/off/12v baybus with dual LED guide
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/5v_12v_baybus/index.shtml < 5v/off/12v guide, Note that 5v may not start all fans
http://bit-tech.net/article/52/2 < Simple on/off fanbus
http://bit-tech.net/article/52/3 < 2 good 7v/12v fanbus designs
(note that those designs can be 7/off/12 by using center off switches)

BayBus: LED Voltage Meter
http://casemods.pointofnoreturn.org/voltmon

BayBus: Matrix Orbital - Using GPOs
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/96/

BayBus: PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
http://casemods.pointofnoreturn.org/pwm < Good tutorial by Uller
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/51/

BayBus: RheoBus/Adjustable Fan Speed
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/56/ < Simple single fan Rheo mod
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/52/4 < Three good designs
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/rheostats/index.shtml

BayBus: RotarySwitchs
http://www.pheaton.com/howtos/rotary.htm

BayBus: Tempreature Controlled
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/temp_controlled_fan/index.shtml

BayBus: Voltage Regulators
http://casemods.pointofnoreturn.org/vregtut < LM317 Voltage Regulator Tutorial by Uller
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/32/ < Rheobus w/Voltage Regulators
http://bit-tech.net/article/52/5

BayFiller: Logo Guide
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=205

BlowHoles
See Fans

Brackets: HDD Addon brackets (DIY)
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/194/1

C
Cables: Cleaning up/Orgainizing cables
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=94

Cables: Rounded / Glow in the dark / UV IDE/Floppy cables
http://www.so-trickcomputers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=S&Category_Code=C
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=round,cable

Cables: Rounding your own
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=34
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/rc/index.shtml
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/189/1
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=34

Cables: Sleeving Guide
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/cable_sleeving/index.shtml

Cables: Sleeving - Where to buy
http://www.voyeurmods.com/ (USA)
http://www.frozencpu.com/ (USA)
http://www.cableorganizer.com/ (USA)
http://www.lux-design.com/ (Canada)

Canadian Mod Suppliers
http://www.bigfootcomputers.com/
http://www.lux-design.com/
http://www.e-compuvision.com/

Case Brands: Lian-Li
http://www.lian-li.com/
http://www.so-trickcomputers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=S&Category_Code=LLC
 
Case Badges: Where to buy case badges
http://www.caseetc.com/cgi-bin/case...ase Badges/sf=category/ml=8.html?id=jwoy5rKhi

Case Badges: custom-made
There are many companies than make custom case badges. This company requires less and charge less.
http://www.scotgold.com

Cleaning: Cables
See Cables

Cleaning: Dremel
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/222/1

Cleaning: Keyboard Dishwasher Howto
http://www.rabidhardware.net/index.php?id=9

Cleaning: Mesh Filters
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=106

Cutting: Dremel
A good rotary cutting tool that most case-modders use can be found at any hardware store or Walmart...
www.dremel.com

Cutting: Dremel Alternatives
Black and Decker makes the RTX and Wizard, both rotary tools and good alternatives to the Dremel. The Wizard is cheap at $20~$25, but is cordless which is not very good for cutting metals. RTX is $30~$40 and is essentially a dremel, corded and uses same bits. Can be found at nearly any hardware store or Walmart. http://www.blackanddecker.com/produ...asp?BRANDID=789_Sub_Web&CATALOGID=826_Sub_Web

Cutting: Dremel How-To
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/101/
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/dremel/index.shtml

Cutting: Nibbler
A hand nibbler can run you about 20 bucks it's good for side panels and other thin metals, a good place to buy is: www.eastwoodco.com (They are also available at most CompUSA's)

D
Decals: Legend Making
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/88/

Decals: Painting
See Painting: Decals

Desks: DIY Custom Desks
What type of wood is good to use?
Most people agree, best is 3/4" MDF.
How much does that cost?
It costs ~$20 for 4'x8'
What should I use for support?
Most common way are L braces available from Home Depot. They cost ~$2-3 a piece.
What type of paint can I use to get a real wood look?
One quart of some cherry wood (or whichever color you like)substance and the other quart was gloss. ~$7 total.
How much does it typically cost for a desk?
SpeedSlayer used 2 sheets, 2 quarts, like 50 screws, like 14 L shaped braces, and 2 triangular braces. It cost about $107 after tax.

E
EL cable
See Lighting

Electronics Vendors
Commercial Sellers
Jameco http://www.jameco.com/
Digikey http://www.digikey.com/
Mouser http://www.mouser.com/
Newark http://www.newark.com/
Electronix http://www.electronix.com/
Parts Express http://www.partsexpress.com/

Electronics Surplus Vendors (less selection, better prices)
BG Micro http://www.bgmicro.com/
All Electronics http://www.allelectronics.com/
Hosfelt http://www.hosfelt.com/
MPJA http://www.mpja.com/
American Science and Surplus http://www.sciplus.com/
Electronic Goldmine http://www.goldmine-elec.com/
Herbach & Rademan http://www.herbach.com/
 
F
Fans: Basic Wiring
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/fan_wiring_howto/index.shtml

Fans: Blow Holes
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/180/1 < using dremel
(I would definately recommend using a holesaw, it makes a perfect hole every time :))

Fans: Card Cooler (DIY)
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/191/1
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=231

Fans: Filters (anodized aluminum)
http://www.plycon.com/ (Located in U.S.A)
http://www.so-trickcomputers.com/ (Located in U.S.A)

Fans: Fixing noisy or stuck fans
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=84

Fans: HDD Cooler (DIY)
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=230
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/articles/hx08/index5.shtml

Fans: LED Fans (DIY)
See LEDs: DIY LED Fans

Fans: Painting
See Painting: Fans

Fans: Specifications
http://gizzo.8m.com/fans/

Fans: Volt Modding (speed control)
7v trick: hook up the + line of the fan to +12 and the ground line of the fan to +5
4pin fan:
4pin-7v.gif

Molex (PSU) Pinouts: 1 - yellow, 2 - black, 3 - black, 4 - red
Molex (FAN) Pinouts: 1 - red, 2 - black, 3 - n/c, 4 - n/c
3pin fan:
3pin-7v.gif

Molex Pinouts: 1 - yellow, 2 - black, 3 - black, 4 - red
Fan Pinouts: 1 - black, 2 - red, 3 - yellow/blue

If your fan will not start at 7V it may need a higher starting voltage: try this circuit which gives the fan +12 until the cap charges, then goes down to 7v
7v-nostart.gif


Fans: Wiring
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/190/1

Floppy drive: shortening the floppy drive cable
http://mfpmax.tripod.com/floppymod/floppymod.html

G
Glowire wire
See Lighting: Glow Wire

H
Heatshrink
http://www.themodfathers.jolt.co.uk/?page=&action=show&id=6126

Heatsinks: attatching heatsinks to chipsets or videocards without using screws
Arctic Silver Epoxy is best. If you don't have Arctic Silver Epoxy, you can ghetto-rig it using arctic silver in the middle and a little super-glue on each corner, as long as the heat-sink isn't too big.

Heatsinks: fixing noisy/stuck fans
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=83

Heatsinks: removing epoxied heatsinks (from video cards, chipsets, etc...)
1. Remove the fan.
2. Get a can of compressed air.
3. Spray the contents upside down onto the heatsink for 5 secs.
4. It should be frozen, so get a thin plastic card.
5. Put the card between the GPU and the HS.
6. Get a thin flat screwdriver.
7. Put the screwdriver between the card and the HS.
8. Twist the screwdriver.
9. If it does not come off easily, try doing it on each corner.
10. Clean up with 70% or 91% alcohol. If you need something stronger, acetone will do. Not the scented nail polish remover crap, the clear acetone. Then clean up again with alcohol.
11. Put a new Heatsink on using Arctic Silver Epoxy.
 
L
LCD FAQS

Laptop LCD FAQ <~ Everything you'r probably going to ask about Laptop LCD's
Text LCD FAQ <~ Everything you'r probably going to ask about Serial & Parallel Text LCD's
Video LCD FAQ <~ Everything you'r probably going to ask about Video (Color) LCD's
LCD Scavenging FAQ <~ Everything you'r probably going to ask about taking LCD's out of stuff you already have
Everything Else FAQ <~ All sorts of stuff from DIY Projectors to inverting your LCD with polarizer to adding input buttons

LEDs: Basics - resistors to use
To find the value of the resistor to use with your led, use this formula:
Resistance(Ohms) = (Supply Voltage - Forward V of LED)/ Current (A)

You should be able to find these values easily, usually on the back of the package or on the website you got them from. Current for LEDs is measured in mA. you will need to move the decimal over 3 places to get to Amps.

Example - 20mA = .02A

So to run a 3.5V blue led from 5V at 20mA (0.02Amps)...
resistance = (5V - 3.5V) / 0.02A = 75ohms
If you cant find a resistor of the exact result (which you usually wont) try to find the closest one, try to go with a little more resistance, than less, to prevent damage to the resistor or LED

If you still dont get it (or are lazy ;)) use Linear's handy-dandy web calculator
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/68/

LEDs: Basics - Polarity - postive/negative
ledpol.gif

The longer lead is the + side. If the leads are the same size look carefully at the lens, you will see a division, the small divided side is the positive lead and the large divided side is the negative lead. You can always do trial and error, if one wiring doesn't work, than reverse it, the most damage you could do is burn out the LED but thats very unlikely.

LEDs: Basics - Parallel, Serial
ledcon.gif


Parallel LEDs are wired the same as a single ones with many resistor/LED curcuits connected across a single powersupply rail. Although you can use one resistor for multiple LED's it is generally strongly recommended that each LED should have it's own resistor to prevent one LED consuming more power than it should and to prevent overloading the resistor.

Series LEDs are two or more leds sharing one resistor. To calculate the resistor the "LED voltage" get the sum of all the led's voltages in the circuit. So for two of our 3.5V blue LEDs the voltage is now 3.5V + 3.5V = 7V. Obvously the 5V supply won't work for this one. So if you wanted to do this you would need to connect your circuit to the +12V rail of your PSU and calculate the supply voltage as 12 instead of 5

LEDs: DIY LED Fans
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/73/
http://www.themodfathers.jolt.co.uk/?page=&action=show&id=6131

LEDs: HDD "Activity" meter
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/83/

LEDs: Keyboard LEDs
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/keyboard_led/index.shtml
http://www.themodfathers.jolt.co.uk/?page=&action=show&id=6128

LEDs: Knight Rider mod
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/82/1 < DIY
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=191 < Front of antec/chieftec case, premade kit

LEDs: LED Meter
http://casemods.pointofnoreturn.org/cpumeter/ < good howto to make an LED Meter
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=184 < using your led meter with winamp
*Note that connecting LEDs directly to your parallel port can seriously damage it! I very much recommend you use Uller's design with a 74HCT373 chip, its inexpensive and is sold at radioshack

LEDs: NIC LED Mods
Great for router pcs!
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/nic_leds_mod/index.shtml

LEDs: Replacing LED in Optical Drives
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=124
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/cdfdd_led_mod/index.shtml
http://www.themodfathers.jolt.co.uk/?page=&action=show&id=6118

LEDs: Replacing LED in Optical Mice
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=37

LEDs: replacing Power & hard drive LEDs on the front of your case
Well, first you need to determine if it is a 5mm LED or a 3mm LED. Pick up some suitable replacements - any LED's rated from 2v - 5v forward voltage will probably work. A lot of people will tell you you need resistors but it's really not necessary. Chances are the original LED's were only 2v LED's and if you replace with 5v, it'll probably work fine but just a fraction less bright....
These LED's are usually held in place more times than not by little plastic clips. Just spread the clips and remove the LED. The LED will usually have two wires attached... One is usually black or white - this would be ground. The other is usually colored, like red or green - this would be positive. At this point you can just snip the old LED off or better, split open the black shrink wrap with an exacto knife and desolder it. Next take the new LED and determine the positive and negative on it. The positive usually is the longer pin, but not always. The negative is the shorter pin and if you can see inside the LED, the larger dish is connected to the negative pin. Check this thread for an illustration. A battery of some sort, (a couple of flashlight batteries taped together in series is fine), is helpful in this situation. You can pretest the LED to verify the positive and negative by connecting the pins to a couple of wires and tapping the wires on the ends of the battery.
Then just cut the pins to fit, solder the correct wires to the pins, shrink wrap it, - slip the shrink wrap on before soldering (or use electrical tape tightly wrapped) and snap it back in the clips...

To summarize: Figure out how yours are plugged in, take em out, put in new ones the same direction. You can always do trial and error, if one wiring doesn't work, than reverse it, the most damage you could do is burn out the LED but thats very unlikely.

If you want more info, check out this writeup:
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/case_leds/index.shtml

LEDs: Strobes
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/80/
 
Lighting: CCFL Bending
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=196

Lighting: CCFL Throbber/Fader
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/78/

Lighting: Cutting EL Wire
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/59/

Lighting: EL Cable / Glow Wire
Electroluminescent (EL) cable is available at:
http://www.so-trickcomputers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=S&Category_Code=LE
http://www.beingseen.com
http://www.glowire.com/casemods.htm
http://www.streetglow.com
It is also available from time to time at Target and Walmart (Car section)

Lighting: Keyboards
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/keyboard_el/index.shtml

Lighting: Where to buy
http://www.so-trickcomputers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=S&Category_Code=LE < LED/CCFL Fans, CCFLs, LEDs, EL cable, EL Tape,
http://www.exabytesystems.com/ < LEDs CCFLs
http://www.svc.com/ < LED fans, CCFL's, UV reactive stuff
http://www.lsdiodes.com/ <~ good prices on LED's, qty discounts etc, $2 UPS shipping
http://www.v3leds.com/ <~ $.25 led's (with a resistor!) inexpensive USPS shipping ($1.75)
http://www.eled.com/ <~ very large seletion of different LEDs, including weird-shape and size, and high-intensity ones. their prices are rediculously high, but if you are looking for a *specific* led, that's the place to look
http://www.ledtronics.com/ <~ another commercial site with a huge selection of LED's

M
Metalizing: Making plastics look like metal
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/87/

Monitors: Modding Guide
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=192 < Add a window
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=213 < spice it up with LED fans and all sorts of stuffs

Mouse Pads: Lighted mouse pad
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/108/
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/75/

N
Noise: Noisy/stuck fans
See Fans and Heatsinks catagories

Noise: Reducing Noise
http://www.chassis-plans.com/cooling_and_noise.html

Noise: Supplies
http://www.silentsource.com/index.html

P
Painting: Cases
http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTU5
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=237 < Painting inside of case
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/177/1 < General Info

Painting: Decals
http://www.rabidhardware.net/index.php?id=13

Painting: Fans
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/62/
http://www.neima.com/fanmodding.shtml

Painting: Glossy mirror-like finish
http://www.pc-workshop.net/articles/paint101/paint101-1.shtml
http://www.pc-workshop.net/articles/paint102/paint102-1.shtml

Painting: Keyboard
I hope you can rememer where all the keys are ;)
http://www.rabidhardware.net/index.php?id=14

Painting: Mouse
http://www.rabidhardware.net/index.php?id=16

Painting: Power Supplies
http://www.themodfathers.jolt.co.uk/?page=&action=show&id=6133

Painting: Spray Paint
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/30/

Painting: Vinyl dye
It is the easiest way to get good results when painting plastic
http://linear1.org/mods/vdye.php
http://linear1.org/gm/archives/00000065.php
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/202/1

Planning your mods (guides):
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=161

Plexiglass: attatching edges-to-edges
You can purchase solvent cement from http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.asp

Plexiglass: cutting
You should use a jigsaw with a fine toothed blade (they sell them for various uses and are labeled on the package). You should go slowly or the plexi can melt.

Plexiglass: getting rid of scratches
1. Wet sand the scratch out with 1500-2000 grit sandpaper. At this point the area will be very foggy.
2. Rub in some Novus #2 until the area clears up. This might take more than one application. There will still be just a little fogginess left.
3. Polish out the remaining fogginess with Novus #1

Plexiglass: Planning your case
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/67/

Plexiglass: Premade Cases
www.so-trickcomputers.com
www.xoxide.com
http://clearpc.ca/
www.clear-viewtech.com
www.tweakbox.com
www.wahoocomputers.com

Plexiglass: reforming/reshaping/melting
You melt your item to ~200ºC, at this time it should still be in the soft solid state any hotter it will turn into a runny gel. You form the item very quikcly leaving you couple seconds before it changes back to solid state.
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/99/
 
Power button: replacing the power button with a key-switch
Go to your local auto parts or boating store and look for an SPST or SPDT ignition switch. Pretty much any switch with two or more contacts that connect and disconnect as you turn will work. Most keyed switches will have either screws or solder eyelets.
For ATX motherboards, just cut the two-lead cable from the existing switch and connect it to the ignition switch terminals. ATXes work best with one that has a spring-back on mode (i.e. turning it to start will spring back into on mode). Remember, ATX shuts off if you leave it on for more than 4 seconds, so if your particular switch doesn't spring back, turn it back fast!
AT motherboards are a bit trickier - you HAVE to find a switch that stays on all the time. The bad part is that AT power switches usually go directly into the power supply and are DPST or DPDT, so you may have trouble finding an ignition switch that will work.
If you are having trouble finding them locally, Radio Shack sells several SPST types, although none of them are momentary-on Part numbers 49-515, 900-7154, and 900-8532. Better yet, look through a decent distributor such as Newark, Digikey, Mouser, or Jameco - they'll have much better selection and different shapes/types of keys.

Power Supplies: brands
Enermax
People collectively tend to agree that an Enermax x65 series (365 for 330W, 465 for 430W, 665 for 530W) is the best powersupply in general.
http://www.enermax.com.tw/product-01.htm
psu1.jpg
psu2.jpg


Power Supplies: How big a PSU do I need?
AGP video card - 20-30W
PCI video card - 20W
AMD Athlon 900MHz-1.1GHz - 50W
AMD Athlon 1.2MHz-1.4GHz - 55-65W
Intel Pentium III 800MHz-1.26GHz - 30W
Intel Pentium 4 1.4GHz-1.7GHz - 65W
Intel Pentium 4 1.8GHz-2.0GHz - 75W
Intel Celeron 700MHz-900MHz - 25W
Intel Celeron 1.0GHz-1.1GHz - 35W
ATX Motherboard - 30W-40W
128MB RAM - 10W
256MB RAM - 20W
12X or higher IDE CD-RW Drive - 25W
32X or higher IDE CD-ROM Drive - 20W
10x or higher IDE DVD-ROM Drive - 20W
SCSI CD-RW Drive - 17W
SCSI CD-ROM Drive - 12W
5400RPM IDE Hard Drive - 10W
7200RPM IDE Hard Drive - 13W
7200RPM SCSI Hard Drive - 24W
10000RPM SCSI Hard Drive - 30W
Floppy Drive - 5W
Network Card - 4W
Modem - 5W
Sound Card - 5W
SCSI Controller Card - 20W
Firewire/USB Controller Card - 10W
Case Fan - 3W
CPU Fan - 3W

The wattage numbers above are estimates and may be rounded to the nearest 5 watts. The given wattage may only reach the specified level during power-up or during peak usage. Always purchase a power supply with a bit more wattage than you calculate you'll need, to make room for future upgrades.


Power Supplies: Measuring Current Consumption
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=136

Power Supplies: Tester PSU
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=132
 
Power Supply: turning on an ATX supply that isn't connected to a motherboard
**disclaimer: power supplies are dangerous, they can shock you; do this at your own risk **

Find the ATX mobo plug, find the green wire, (should be only one, if there are multiple green wires... then your PSU sucks, i wouldn't go any further), and take a piece of a wire so that you can connect something, than find a ground wire (should be 6, these should be black), and connect the green wire to the black wire, basically by shoving the third piece of a wire you have into both of those two plugs

this is what the final product should look like:
powersupply2.jpg


or, ghetto paper clip style,
powersupply.jpg

then plug in/turn on powersupply and you should be set. You can also wire up a switch so you don't have to reach to the back of the power supply to turn it on & off.

VH also has a decent writeup on using a switch and adding a status LED
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/atx_psu_mods/index.shtml

Power Supplies: using 2 Power Supplies
psu2.gif


Powerstrip: auto-switching powerstrip for turning on/off your H2O pumps, etc...
http://www.voidyourwarranty.net/review/review.php3?r1=diy/powerstrip/index.php3
 
Pulsing / Fading / Throbber LED (like from Apple Mac G4 Sleep Mode)
http://www.rabidhardware.net/index.php?id=5
http://www.cpemma.co.uk/throbber.html

R
Remote Start
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/204/1

Risers
AGP&PCI Card Risers can be found here
http://store.compute-aid.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=100&type=store
http://www.servercase.com
http://www.rackmountpro.com

S
Soldering: How do I solder?
Excellent soldering guide: http://www.epemag.com/solderfaq/default.htm
Another good guide: http://www.fanbus.com/thelab/Soldering/soldering.htm

Sound Card: adding extra input jacks (SB Live!)
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/rca/index.shtml

Spiral Wrap:
http://www.westheat.com/WrappingBands.html expandable to 10 times its normal size.

Stealthing: Drives
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/85/
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=119
http://www.rabidhardware.net/index.php?id=2
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/lianli_faceplate_guide/index.shtml

Stealthing: External Eject Button
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=233

Switches: adding switches for fans
See BayBus

Switches: Military Switches
Auto Zone stocks military style switches, my local one sells them for 4 dollars, you can get them in military green, flat black, gloss black, blue, red, carbon fibre, anodized blue, anodized red, chrome, black with chrome stripe, anodized green and plastic red.
http://www.xoxide.com/militaryswitch.html
http://www.directron.com/switches2.html

Switches: What's the difference between SPST, SPDT, DPST, and DPDT switches?
Code: 
    /
--o/  o--   SPST (2 terminals)


    /o-- 
--o/        SPDT (3 terminals)
     o--
   
   
    / 
--o// o--
--o/  o--   DPST (4 terminals)

    /o--
--o//o--
--o/        DPDT (6 terminals)
     o--
     o--

T
Temperature Monitors
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/200/1 < Moding a RadioShack Digital Thermometer
http://www.themodfathers.jolt.co.uk/?page=&action=show&id=6137 < under CPU die, beside core, in-line water probes

Testbeds: DIY
http://www.themodfathers.jolt.co.uk/?page=&action=show&id=6138

Thermister: BayBus/TempBus
See BayBus

Thermister: Thermal Probe
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/thermistor/index.shtml

U
USB cables: lengthening
Use 28 AWG (spec taken straight off a cable from a motherboard)

W
Wires: current handling of various guages @ 12VDC
24 AWG = 6 A
22 AWG = 10 A
20 AWG = 13 A
18 AWG = 18 A
16 AWG = 24 A
14 AWG = 35 A
12 AWG = 40 A

Windows: Antec/Chieftec/etc Front Door Window
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=174

Windows: DIY Case Windows
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=169
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/plexi_neon/index.shtml
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/176/1

Windows: Hard Drive Windows
Please note that this is a VERY risky mod!
Check out this thread:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=629591
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/66/
http://www.gideontech.com/content/articles/206/1
http://www.themodfathers.jolt.co.uk/?page=&action=show&id=6125
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=261

Windows: Installing window kits
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/pcmods_windowkit/index.shtml

Windows: Optical Drive Windows
http://www.twistedmods.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=188
http://www.themodfathers.jolt.co.uk/?page=&action=show&id=6119
 
Random Useful Links

http://www.epanorama.net/index.php <~ has pretty much any info you want about electronics etc... beware of popups/unders tho
http://www.xxera.com
http://www.designcomp.com
http://www.isitoday.com/chieftec.htm
http://www.so-trickcomputers.com
http://www.googlegear.com
http://www.digitalcentre.com
http://www.newegg.com
http://www.overclock.co.uk
http://www.compusa.com
http://www.pcnut.com
http://www.azzo.com
http://www.outsideloop.com
http://www.heatseekerz.net
http://www.1coolpc.com
http://www.caseetc.com
http://www.coolerguys.com
http://www.pcmods.com

ChangeLog
May 13, 2006: Moved LCD faq into Case Mod faq. Added additional rule about modding services being prohibited here. -Qtip42
May 29, 2004: Reposted entire FAQ from backup after [H]|Forums upgrade...
March 22, 2004: added note to the wire amp ratings were all for 12VDC, thanks TekieB
March 12, 2004: added the eled.com link to the lighting vendors list, thanks codeflux!
March 1, 2004: Fixed all of the "The Mod Fathers" links, AGAIN... sigh... all of the twisted mods links are DEAD... their site got haxed... I will fix them as soon as their site comes back up
February 29, 2004: Fixed the formfactors.org ATX specs link
October 9, 2003: Fixed paintballtimes link
October 4, 2003: Fixed "The Mod Fathers" links, they all decided to change hehe
September 8, 2003: Added Stealthing External Eject Button, and Case Chassis Painting, DIY cable rounding
August 28, 2003: Added military switches, again, i thought i had added it long ago but somehow it became lost :rolleyes:
August 7, 2003: Added LSDiodes.com to lighting vendors, thanks quiksilvr00
July 4, 2003: Added cable sleeving vendors and Canadian modding supply vendors thanks The Hunter
May 7, 2003: Added some TwistedMods' Guides submitted by SpLIZaaT
May 1, 2003: Started Changelog ;), Removed dead links, added a few more things, deleted posts at the bottom of FAQ (thanks PS-RagE)
old updates: thanks SpeedSlayer (Desk Info); DRxAndy (RTX/Wizard)

If you sent me something and I didn't put your name here, send me a pm

I would also like to thank everyone that contributed to the many FAQ threads that got deleted during purges @ the [H]
I have gotten some complaints that I am "taking credit" for this FAQ. I do not take complete credit for this FAQ, while I have maintained it, added a lot of information, updated the links and reorganized it, I was not the original creator (and honestly im not sure who was), so now since I was the only one to back it up :p I am the keeper of the FAQ's :cool:

*NOTE*
If you have something you think should be in the FAQ Please send me (FLECOM) a Private Message, or an email with a link and discription, or short FAQ style writeup

Thanks!
-Frank
 
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