Shoebox computer

Angelstorm9x3

Last year when I was working on my computers, I had a whole pool of parts and things but not enough cases to go around. So, one day I decided (partly out of cheapness and partly out of me wanting to freak people out) to build one of the computers in a shoebox that I had laying around. It never got done (couldn't find the power button or get the fan wire reconnected), but I am considering trying again.

Any of you done simeting like that, just for the hell of it (or to see how many strange looks you get)?

Kirk

I'll send the link for this thread to my friend who built a cigarbox computer, maybe he still has some pictures he can share.

Personally, I'm not a fan of stuff like this as I feel it's mistreating hardware and there's nothing to learn from it, and it's a potential fire hazard to boot. I do understand the novelty, but I'd much rather build a cool computer in a sleek case than something like this.

BOD

http://www.mini-itx.com/

Projects section down the right hand side has some good ideas for you.

TCPMeta

Fire hazard all over it and can even cause static charge. I remember the old show screen savers where some guy known as yoshi made a cardboard case but used plastic spacers to protect static discharge.

Also I think it was Asus made a cheap case you built from the motherboard box that was shipped in.

Duff

When I was very young, I re-assembled an old 486 and plugged it in with all the parts sitting on a carpet. Amazingly, it turned on and nothing caught on fire.

If I was going to do a novel custom build, I'd have to say one of these sleek computers integrated into a desk with a nice glass top would be sweet. I don't have the skill to do that sort of modding though...I don't even own a Dremel.

BlueSun

I seriously doubt a 486 would have ever gotten hot enough to ignite carpet. I also doubt a decently cooled modern system would get hot enough to ignite cardboard. Maybe if you replaced the CPU cooler with cardboard.... even then, the CPU would shut off long before it got hot enough to set fire to the cardboard. At most it might burn a little.

BOD

The flash point of cardboard is about 400C. Melting solder joints would be a problem before there's any kind of fire risk.

Kirk

A few links that Angelstorm9x3 might be interested in... for other inexpensive \ novelty computing alternatives.

http://www.raspberrypi.org/
http://www.solid-run.com/cubox

Both of these are small low powered ARM systems you can put a variety of Linux distros on. I have a few RasPi's and they're pretty cool.

Doqtor Kirby

RasPis are the shit. HD GFX media box I just taped to the back of the TV and I can movies with it.

wingzeroismine

I've taken several video game consoles and used them as computer cases!

I'll only post a few for now, don't want to flood this with too many images. They are typically giant messes inside due to the amount of stuff crammed in...

NES





SNES




You get the idea, I've also done N64, Gamecube, and Playstation

TCPMeta

Those are some nice ConsolePC mods. A few years ago I had a xbox case I was trying to mod but gave up on the project when I couldn't find a power supply small enough for it.

wingzeroismine

In all of my builds I used the PicoPSU you can see floating atop of the mound of wires for the SNES. They now have models up to 160W which for embedded projects is quite a lot of power to play with. These systems are using Via mini-itx, nano-itx, and pico-itx motherboards depending on their ages and run the gambit from actual useful performance to unbearably sluggish.

My systems pretty much sip power and tend to draw 20-30W max I think.

TCPMeta

The system I was trying to use was way more powerful. It was a micro ATX with a Athlon XP 3000+. I had a DC to DC power supply in the end but it had issues to keep the motherboard happy. I ended up using the power supply for my car-computer that was a old Apple G4 sawtooth and then ended up with a old itona system.

I was thinking to do a console mod again but with a ras-pi.

stitch

Fire hazards you say?

wingzeroismine

Did onboard ethernet fail on that mobo?

TCPMeta

I saw those pics, im surprized it hasn't burnt to the ground yet.

DeepFriedCookies

I want an Atom powered build that I can just play emulated games and shit on. But I'm too obsessed with performance, so I always end up just settling on a gaming PC. I guess I figure I have plenty of room, and I can play both NES *and* PS2 on a gaming box; an Atom would struggle to run even a PS1 emulator.

wingzeroismine

The current Via pico-itx mobos should certainly run PS1 games fine, my older one can. I'm not sure if they can do PS2 or not.

TCPMeta

I think a atom can run PS1 games. Just look for the older connectix emulator.

DeepFriedCookies

Not as well as I would like though. I speak from experience in this topic.

TCPMeta

heres one

BlueSun

gives a new meaning to pizza box server.