Discussions

[BigAl01]

Are you thinking about building a new computer in the Fall / Winter of 2023?  Better start planning for it now and saving your money.  Most people know about the current Steampunk Modding Contest being run in the AMD Support Forum, but perhaps you have some other ideas for a computer mod?  Why not share your ideas in this discussion topic and perhaps we can help you finalize your plans.  It's best to discuss concepts with others before you start cutting up something....something like a HP Laserjet printer?

This build of my Printer-to-Computer project got me published in Maximum PC's February 2005 Rig of the Month contest.

[BigTacious]

Blue and Green LEDs? Yep, that's a bona fide 2005 build. very cool that doesn't look like it was easy.

[BigAl01]

You'll see the build process if you click on the bold 'HP Laserjet Printer' in the first post.  It took some time as this was my first printer to mod.  I later modded a bigger printer that I called 'Printer-to-Computer-Deja-Vu' and it had two complete systems built into it.  That won me the inside cover of PC Extreme magazine "Mod of the Month" in issue 26.  I won a subscription and within six months the magazine ceased publishing!

Two complete computers inside one printer. A very big printer I might add...

[PythonCoderPro]

Don't tell me you have a computer in there? You got to be kidding dude🤩

[BigAl01]

Ok, check out this T-Shirt I had printed around 20 years ago.  Front and back images:

This is the back of my T-Shirt.This is the front of my T-Shirt. Pretty cool, huh?

[PythonCoderPro]

That poor dude in the first picture is not having a good day

[mike71]

An Idea I have it's to find an old ATX case from 1996 and build a modern PC inside. The biggest issue is that the airflow on oled cases is normally insufficient if used with modern CPUs, with some exceptions, of course.

If I find  a 1996 PC in working condition I'm not going to gut it anyway, because I think it's better to use it as a DOS games machine.

Also modern motherboards not only don't have a floppy connector, but can't boot from a floppy, or even boot DOS.

[BigAl01]

There is a guy who has recently been modding older computer cases (sleeper computers) and he has lots of parts on his website.  I've ordered from him several times for things like case feet and Modders Mesh.  His complete builds sell for over $10K and I bet you've seen his work in computer magazines.  He is also on Facebook if you have an account there.

[Anonymous]

Those Laserjet 4's were WARRIORS man. **bleep** near unstoppable.

Has it been that long since Maximum PC quit ?! Loved that mag.

[BigAl01]

Maximum PC is still in operation.  They have stopped printing a hardcopy magazine as of April 2023.  They are online now.  I still have my subscription.  I wish they still did the Mod of the Month because I really looked forward to seeing what other people do with their computers.

[officialdjdmc]

That is awesome!

[BigAl01]

Are there any other modders out there that plan to complete a mod before the end of 2023?  I remember that the holiday period from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve was my prime build time when I was a working man.  I would get stuff on sale during 'Black Friday' sales events and then start the serious building once we got our 2-week end of year shutdown.  

The Steampunk Modding contest (link in the first post above) is a great incentive to start a new build, but you better get started soon as it ends at the end of September, less than two months away.

[eebiii]

Thinking about the steampunk contest.

I have it all put together in my head. I guess that's a start.

[BigAl01]

Go for it.  You have the skills.  Steampunk things can be found on Amazon and they ship quickly.  If you have an old steam engine on hand, I would mod that.  

Plenty of room for a computer inside this steam engine.

[eebiii]

Printed first piece last night before i went to bed to see how it would turn out. 

5 1/2" gear

[BigAl01]

It turned out  most excellent.

[eebiii]

I may have gone a little too far on this and I don't think there is any turning back. Even my wife is giving me weird looks because she can see on my face, I am in build mode. lol 

I have a section in the basement that was setup for a projection area but never got used. The walls are blacked out, so I found some red brick wallpaper which I think will make a good background. I picked up some rigid nipples and fittings and built a little corner desk out of some 3/4" plywood and through some stain on it. So I def got a good start this weekend.

[BigAl01]

Yes, I think you are 'all in' as it were.  Do you have some design concepts to share or will it be a surprise?

[eebiii]

I have a picture in my head, and I am designing around that. I am further ahead than what I show but it's all about time. I am just an independent electrical contractor with no employees trying to remodel and do lighting retrofits in 20 stores 15,000-60,000 sq ft. So, I am pretty busy. Then using my free time for PC mods and I have to sneak a little family time in there too.. lol But I am motivated and once I get started its hard not to keep going. Just makes for alot of long nights. 

[Wally_AMD]

I hope you're able to complete this build! It already looks like it'll be killer... 

[eebiii]

Fingers crossed but I am way to far along. And I am using all existing parts and have some new stuff sitting in boxes for the last year waiting to be used. I am about $350 in the hole from paraphernalia and fittings. But in the grand scheme of it all, it's worth it. My wife told me last night that I have a tendency of overdoing things, but I disagree. I just do it complete. LOL

[BigTacious]

much excite

[BigAl01]

We have a new 'How-To' article up in the forum to help with designing your own case.  I recommend everyone give it a read if you are interested in being creative with your skills.  Here it is.

Bending metal can be fun!

[BigAl01]

Are there other modders out there thinking about a case mod before the year is history?  There are all sorts of things you can stuff a computer into....even a cat carrier!

An old HP computer was able to give up it's innards to help serve as a mounting point for Purrfection's components.

[BigAl01]

The Steampunk Modding Contest ends in a few days.  I have seen amazing builds submitted as entries and I'm wondering if there will be a last-minute entry before the contest closes at noon this Saturday.