My First Mod Project

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

And im getting paid for it :)

SHould be interesting, i get to cram a computer into a space less than the size of a 1U rackmount server. I took some pictures, but either i can't figure it out, or my camera just plain sucks (its a mercury, i traded it for an old router). Only one turned out. Anyway, under the monitor is where it goes, and while it looks like a lot of space, there isn't, only about 1.75" tall. It will fit a mATX board, cdrom, and hard-drive, but i also need room for the 6 usb cables, power supply cables, video, etc. to snake through it. I also hope the power supply i got will fit into the space behind the cash drawer, only place for i to go (nervous on this one).

http://images.dow-games.net/sigs/maurymac/mod.jpg

While im waiting for the guts, i did my first bit of soldering and used my first couple inches of heat shrink tubing to help create the LED's and the power switch. Very fun, passed a few hours very quickly, running back to radio shack to get the right freakin ones :)

Anyhoo, wish me luck, gonna need it, i have 10 days to complete this prototype, as well as figure out cost and maufacturing time. Oh, and we need to create a cover that will lock, with handles for easy moving. Gonna be a heavy sucker.

[-=DoW=- ^Johnson^]

good luck buddy

[Warcuddle]

wooow GL BUD!!!

[Schwatd]

Hi Maury!
I was wondering if you converted the usb cables to 80-conductor ribbon if that would help your space issues? Just a thought, Looks ands sounds like a cool project bro keep us informed!

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Hey . . . thats a neat idea, one cable, even a 40 conductor cable would do possibly . . . im going to visit that idea :)

Thanks!

[Schwatd]

Glad to be of service!

[-=DoW=- cecoto]

Good luck Maury it looks very nice.

[Schwatd]

Hey Maury!

Getting Ready to build another one of my super pc servers, parts are on order, suppose to be a twin to my previous one. got the chips last month. Finance bought the mother board and mem sticks last week, waiting on box w/ps and some other peripherals. Have to give them up to actually be severs though, loading them with win server 2003. 16 xeon processors and 8 GB of mem between the 2 of them. What do you think?

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

*drool*

[Schwatd]

You used a thesaurse for that one didn't you?!?!

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

I had to break out the dictionary to find out what a thesaurus is :)

(kidding)

[Schwatd]

LOL, I can not read these posts when I'm trying to put this computer together or I will pee my pants and short out the whole darn thing. Reading these things brightens my whole day. Some of the shlubs I have to deal with around my work place really make you wonder how shallow the gene pool is getting.

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Well, its finished. Plans kinda changed though. We ended up stripping a dell optiplex and cutting all the excess crap off, and moving some stuff around. It took about 5-6 hours dremelling and the like, but its done. I figure it should take about 4 hours per machine, maybe less once i get good at it. Just gotta clean up the cabling, and the first prototype will be complete. I don't have any pics, as its already out of the shop and in use for testing at our store. I ended up with sooo much plastic and metal dust in my hair (yes, i still have enough to trap the tiny stuff) it was pretty gross. But hey, thems the breaks. Anyhoo, should get back to work, if i manage to get pictures, i'll post them.

[Warcuddle]

Hey, nice job but do you have any pics of the work??
:)

[-=DoW=- boba_fett]

Hey, nice job but do you have any pics of the work??
:)

I don't have any pics, as its already out of the shop and in use for testing at our store.

MM the only hair you have that could have caught that dust probably came out of a can:twisted:. J/K. Congrats and good job. Post some pics when you get a chance so we can all marvel at your ingenuity.

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

i don't expect anyone will be "marvelling at my ingenuity" but thanks just the same :)
I'll see what i can do for pics, its back here at the shop, but no batteries for my camera

[Schwatd]

OOOH a Dremel tool I have one of those I hadn't thought of that hmmmmmmm,.............

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Finally got a couple of pics. Needed to take some just in case i need to refer back. Not the prettiest thing, and its kinda dusty, but it works.

[-=DoW=- cecoto]

Wel done Maury nice to see you all got it in there. :yeah:

[Schwatd]

Extremely nice Maury! Nice and compact but still looks like some good air flow to keep it operating properly. How did you mount the motherboard?

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

I dremelled the hell out of the dell case, and just popped some self tapping screws through it into the cash drawer. The motherboard and power supply were already perfectly mounted in it, so there was no need to re-invent the wheel. I might get a start on the third prototype today actually, using all standard components, going to be quite different.

[TR-JustinMc06-]

Heya MM,

What kinda store business are you in? (ex. grocery, computer, etc.)

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

I'm in the POS manufacturing business for now i guess, as well as satellite internet installs, network and computer support, car washing, among other related tasks at my company, as we do a whole crapload of things. I still don't know all the different companies my boss owns :)

[-=DoW=- Furious32]

Hi Maury,
That's pretty cool bud!! It will be nice to see the finished article!!!

Oh and by the way! I am due out in Canada again early Sept - Nov, are you ready to open that whole can of whoop ass on me and win back the DoW International Pool competition:icon_smi::icon_smi::icon_smi:

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

You better beleive it Richie! Well, i'm ready to play, but we'll see about winning, i think i've played twice since you came to visit :)

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Heres more pics of the finished product.

[-=DoW=- The Fan]

Hi Maury,
win back the DoW International Pool competition:icon_smi::icon_smi::icon_smi:

How can it be DoW International if only 2 (two) people get to play. What about the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and fourth Rounds Richie. Only thing is, WHEN you lose the 4th round, you also get to pay my flight to CAN and back :-))

LOOOOOL

Nice work Maury, and beat the A$$ outta him :-)

[-=DoW=- Furious32]

It had to be promoted as the DoW International as we were from different countries!!!
Unfortunately the Comp never took off :lol::lol::lol:

OK!!! After 2 years lets kick start it again!!! The rules are simple, find someone from another country that lives close by!!!, play them at pool, win and post the results!!

Someone infinately cleverer than myself can then adjust the league table!!!

Jez you are up against Mobby first, the venue is South Africa!!!

Should you win I will take you to Canada in my suitcase for the 2nd round against Maury. I would play Maury but I think it might get personal this time with me receiving a :rise::rise::rise:

[Schwatd]

Hey Maurey I was thinking about starting a small PC company,.. do you have any interest in joining me? Griffin Enterprises, Custom PCs, Pricing and Abilities for specific needs, what do you think?

[CrazySnyper]

find someone from another country that lives close by!!!
:_idea:

I'm in Alaska, probably 1500+ miles from the closest foreign DoW member (thats straight line distance). But I suck at pool anyway :D.

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

I'm not that far from alaska really, do the math on a trip to high level alberta

And it sounds like an interesting proposition Troy, but im pretty good where i'm at now :)

[Schwatd]

No moves intended or changes in current jobs, just what could be taken on as special projects. If you've got an ear for it I'll call and we could talk some. I haven't even got myself fully convinced but I'm more inclined than I ever have been. Still in the bussiness plan mode right now, Business name, vendors liesence kind of thing, no money.

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Unfortuneately id get fired :)

[Schwatd]

LOL LOL LOL LOL, well that certainly wouldn't do now then would it!?!?!?

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Hehe, no, not really :)

[Schwatd]

You might have to be my secret modifications help line though!

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Hehe, im still a noobie at this, but i'll help where i can :)

[Schwatd]

NP, That just means I can blame failures on you bud! lol lol lol

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

You know, i kind of expected that :)

[Schwatd]

But look at it this way, I'll set up the complaint department up there by you, walk-ins only, no phone, or e-mail, Think there would be many takers? So you're off scott free right? Right! so we're good buddy! See I have a plan! Remember,.....Trust Me,.......lol