Respawning project: PC in a drive bay

T

tom61

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
1,062
I orginally started on cramming a PC into a drive bay in this thread, but the project stalled on making the cabling. Then the board got reused into my current project - Ultra-portable PC

I've just gotten a new board that'd be well suited to this app off eBay: http://www.ibase-i.com.tw/i815e.htm

Main trouble will be getting a secondary PS in the case to power it. Current plan is to either get a Micro-ATX powersupply and put it on the bottom of a case, or get a 12V Mini-ITX and run it off the main PSes. Probably cheaper and easier to do the first.

Here's a pic of how far I got last time:
drivebaysystem.jpg


Planned use:
I've moved to using Linux exclusively, but I really miss Launchcast (especially since I get Launchcast Plus free for using SBC DSL), so I'll probably use it for that. Probably will run Windows 95 on it, as it's the only license I have free right now (got tired of piracy).

Plans for mounting:
A peice of Lexan mounted under the motherboard, resting on two peices of lexan mounted to the sides of the bay. Not sure of the harddrive mounting, as I'm not sure of what harddrive I'm going to use. My only spare laptop drive died.

Faceplate:
I'm considering make a front panel using Front Panel Express for a blue anodized aluminum front plate. Last I checked, it'd run me about $20
 
Got the board today. Looks pretty neat.

ebx.jpg


I didn't realise it had both 40-pin IDE (primary channel) and 44-pin IDE (secondary) until I took it out. That helps out with my other project.

I'm thinking of picking up a pocket KVM and mounting it internally, to switch between the two boxes. Possibly, instead of the KVM, I might just use VNC, or install an X interface to Windows.
 
really cool...but what're you going to put in the rest of the case?
 
Interesting idea. I suppose you could fit a few of them in there, and save a ton of space, although heat could be an issue.
Main trouble will be getting a secondary PS in the case to power it. Current plan is to either get a Micro-ATX powersupply and put it on the bottom of a case, or get a 12V Mini-ITX and run it off the main PSes. Probably cheaper and easier to do the first.
Click to expand...
Yea, multiple atx's are probably cheap enough, but how about one real GOOD psu of a large capacity, and creating a "power block" to run all the lines from.
 
:( :( :( :(

The board appears dead. Capacitors around the power plug are swolen, so I'm guessing it had too much current passed through it before I got it. The board was "Guranteed working.", so hopefully I'll get my money back at least.

It means that the project is dead. I don't think I'll seek out another board.
 
OK... and the project is back again!

Turns out the guy has more of the boards, and will be sending me another.

Maybe try replacing the caps?
Click to expand...

I'm not quite sure, but looking on the bottom, there is indication of charing around the regulators, so it could be quite dead. I might play with the board later, as it doesn't seem I need to send it back, but I don't hold out any hope.
 
I'm not quite sure, but looking on the bottom, there is indication of charing around the regulators, so it could be quite dead. I might play with the board later, as it doesn't seem I need to send it back, but I don't hold out any hope
Click to expand...
Its worth a shot, although physical damage is easier to deal with than electronic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top