Until...

[Sastraxi]

Until some micracle happens and just magically gives me a new computer, I want to make the best of this one. So, I figured I'd do a few things with it until I get a new one.

Some Mods!

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking about. So, I've learned a tad about electronics, and decided I'll read some guides on previous mods that people have tried, and came across a cool article on making LEDs and displays display WinAmp and temperatures (don't remember what site, maybe hardocp or ambdb - however it's spelt?). Well I thought this was cool but not really useful, as my computer is too slow to display anything full screen, and I'm not wasting money on fans and junk (or LCD displays!!!) to overclock my "Celery".

So I want to do some stuff with my computer. If anyone can point me to sites with:

Audio Casing. I'd like to know how to make good boxes for tweeters, subwoofers, and mid-range speakers. However it must be wood...

A front Audio Panel. For example, something that I can have tons of connections on I know it would require a lot of coding and soldering, but if I got the parts I'm sure I could get some help

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|                                                               [=    ]            |
|   (+)  (+)  (o)     (o)  (o)       (x)  (x)       (o)  (o)    (o)   | 
|__________________________________________|

That is, two phono-ins (+), a Mic in (o), two line-ins (o), a volume (x) and a mic volume (x) control, two speaker outs (o), a switch to control which output to go to, and a line out (o). I'd have to find some way to control this by VB.

I'm thinking I would have to program the volume controls, but that would be it. For the phono-ins, I can use a phono-phone jack and connect it to the line-in, and combine it with the two line-ins jacks (is this possible?). For the mic jack I would simply connect it to the Mic In on the card, and the same for the line outs. For the two speaker outs, I could have the switch simply route only one phone jack to the card.

What do you guys think? I know the second is a huge project but I really want to do this. Just give me any sites you can think of! Thanks!

[JungleMan]

Don't waste too much cash on it. Your probably going to get a new computer anyway which means probably a new case and PSU-- why waste money on the one you have?

[H]ardOCP and AMDMB.com. They mostly like AMD people at the latter but you have my regards as "JungleMan"

[Sastraxi]

If everything goes as planned all I'll pay for is the parts... and I shop at Digi-Key. I took a quick stop at their site and it looks like about $10 canadian for all the parts that I need.

[JungleMan]

Originally posted by Sastraxi
If everything goes as planned all I'll pay for is the parts... and I shop at Digi-Key. I took a quick stop at their site and it looks like about $10 canadian for all the parts that I need.

Oh seemed like a more expensive venture to me.

Go for it dude...if you know how to do it.

[mendhak]

Originally posted by Sastraxi
If everything goes as planned all I'll pay for is the parts... and I shop at Digi-Key. I took a quick stop at their site and it looks like about $10 canadian for all the parts that I need.

$10 Canadian...

so how do you pay? with Maple Syrup???

[Gandalf_Grey_]

er ya or with money, although birchbark is worth MUCH more than money up here

[Sastraxi]

Yeah... at least we don't pay with nukes

Well Justin if I'm forgetting something (I've got all the transistors/resistors/whatever I need, I'm getting all of the jacks I need there and the switch), just don't hesitate to tell me.

[MidgetsBro]

I like this site: http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/

and this guide specifically might help you: http://www.virtual-hideout.net/guides/rca/index.shtml

[Sastraxi]

Excellent MidgetsBro, thanks

Now, I'm looking for momentary push buttons that are soft and lit... kind of like the ones that are glow-in-the-dark, if you know what I mean. Anyways the colours I'd like are blue, green, or yellow.

Thanks if you can find one, I'm trying Digi-Key but no luck as of yet...

[MidgetsBro]

I've only seen those in Orange. I bet there is a way to change the LED inside the switch though, possibly to a blue one. The only problem is that those damn blue LEDs are really expensive compared to Red, Yellow, and Green. You can buy a pack of assorted R, Y, and G for the same price as one blue one.

[Sastraxi]

Aha, success!

I've found them, at a place called SwitchZone. It lets you customize, though they won't give me a price. Digi-Key has a non-customized one that's 3.15 Canadian for each, so that looks like it will cost me, well, 6.30 Canadian for two

This is actually starting to look like not so much of a hassle, because I have located all of the parts that I need and now all I need to do is wait for them to come in.

I even have kick-arse sliding variable resistors so I can crossfade if I ever program them But, when they're not programmed, they can be the Input (Mic) / Output (Speaker) volumes!

Hum, I wonder if I can put a speaker in there!

[MidgetsBro]

Cool! You seem well on your way into modding. There are so many modding sites on the internet, you might want to check a few of them out. My personal favorite is www.virtual-hideout.net which I already mentioned... They have links to a whole load of other modding sites that have good tutorials and articles on modding cases and any other periphials (I don't think i spelled that right) that you may have.

Good luck modding! It's fun!