Project Nyx

[Nano2e]

Nyx was the greek goddess of night and darkness. Night has a funny way of making things new again, and this beauty of a poweredge 2200 has been liberated and will see another dawn.

This is my first mod, so any helpers and haters would be welcome to post comments. I will try and keep you informed on not only what is going on, but my next step is so that you can lend your advice.

*Pics to come.*

[Electron Chaser]

Well let's see some pics

[moglenstar]

yeah.. thats a great intro, but this thread is pointless without a description of what you're going to mod and maybe some pics :p

[Nano2e]

Ok, I have some pics of the virgin case. I havn't started modding yet and you will see why in a bit.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/IMG_2037.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/IMG_2041.jpg
Side of case needs to be chopped off and turned into a side panel.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/IMG_2038.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/IMG_2042.jpg
Hard drive rack needs to be modded to allow enough room for a BIP II on the far side.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/IMG_2047.jpg
Front needs fan grills chopped into it for rad on right side.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/IMG_2048.jpg
Mobo tray needs to be pulled and have a new one put in place. I think what I am going to do is mount an L strip of aluminum at the top and make it out of just enough mesh to cover the back of the mobo...not the whole side.

Sorry that the pics a blured, out basment is quite dark. Now....for my story.

[Nano2e]

Ok...here's the hdd cage,
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/IMG_2049.jpg

I need to cut off all but the top so that the drives are suspended by one side. I have never used a dremel so I thought that would be a good place to start because it doesn't have to look real good at first. So I pulled out the fiber reenforced cutoff wheel, set my speed to about 30k, and went at it....it was looking really good too, for a first cut. I got one side done an started on the other. I had almost finished the other side when top of the cage fell down because there was nothing supporting it, and wedged my cutoff wheel. Which instantly jerked my dremel and sheared the mandrel screw....... :bang head :bang head :bang head

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/IMG_2050.jpg
See how the top of the cage, being unsupported, trapped my wheel?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/IMG_2051.jpg
The head of the screw sheared off and left me with a bum mandel.

So I need to go buy another one from home depot....if they have them. :bang head

[Electron Chaser]

Ok...here's the hdd cage,
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/IMG_2049.jpg

I need to cut off all but the top so that the drives are suspended by one side. I have never used a dremel so I thought that would be a good place to start because it doesn't have to look real good at first. So I pulled out the fiber reenforced cutoff wheel, set my speed to about 30k, and went at it....it was looking really good too, for a first cut. I got one side done an started on the other. I had almost finished the other side when top of the cage fell down because there was nothing supporting it, and wedged my cutoff wheel. Which instantly jerked my dremel and sheared the mandrel screw....... :bang head :bang head :bang head

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/IMG_2050.jpg
See how the top of the cage, being unsupported, trapped my wheel?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/IMG_2051.jpg
The head of the screw sheared off and left me with a bum mandel.

So I need to go buy another one from home depot....if they have them. :bang head

Don't worry they have every attachment Dremel makes even the ones you will never use.

[ghettocomp]

Just buy one of the bigger kits at Home Depot. Sometimes you get a lot more of the expensive stuff for cheap.

[Nano2e]

Yeah, I wanted to buy thier compleat cut-off set for like 10 bucks...but I only had 4...and that was in quarters. I also would like a diamond wheel and a tungsten carbide cutter, but.....I'm broke right now. I go to Kettering U and yeah, it's pretty pricy.

So anyway, I just got the mandrel and I finished cutting off the hdd cage. I got a buddy with a two foot base belt sander that I am going to use to get an even edge.

Next I want to cut open the front to accommodate the 120mm rad fans and 92mm hdd fan I want to put in there. Maybe I'll get a drawing done for you guys so that you can see what I want my finished project to look like, but my art is bad and I'm at work now, so we'll see.

[Nano2e]

I had a great idea for my hdd rack. Instead of pulling out the whole rack (original cage was built like this) I pull out only the drives I want. I have a quickly drawn pic to explain my plan farther.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/hddrack.jpg
*sorry...that should be front view OF mount*

I also finished the drawings of the final product, they look bad but you'll get the idea. I'll upload them when I get home to my scanner.

[autolex84]

I think this should be interesting to say the least!

[Nano2e]

well I have decided to change my mind yet again. I found a sick mod on this site (can't find it right now) where the modder mounted the drives on aluminum bar stock and nylon cable clamps...it looks sweet! If any of you know what thread I'm talking of please post a link so that everyone can see it!

Other ideas....I think I am going to cut off the top of the steel cover and replace it with mesh. That way I can have 2 side panels and because I'll be starting with fresh material I can get rid of any unsitely gaps. My other idea for now is to mount the rad so that it blow air through the side intead of the front...that way I can minamize the amount of cutting I do on the front...maybe I can have a smooth front door after all!

Hopefully I'll start getting the materials soon so that I can cut away! Maybe I'll even be able to upload some concept art so you ppl can see what I have in mind.

[Nano2e]

Found it...this is how I plan on mounting my HDDs, excpet they will still be mounted sideways.

http://www.ocforums.com/showpost.php?p=3823807&postcount=4

[Caeberos]

I have the same case and it has been missing the hdd rack since day 1, I am definatly "borrowing" that idea for mounting the drives since my plexi hdd shell has been slowly breaking down all this time.

[Nano2e]

Well I got the sketches done...don't bash my art please, I know I stink. :thup:

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/pc2.jpg
Those "circles" are 2 92mm fans.
In this ^^^ picture the rad is mounted to the front of the case...so I have to cut slots in the front door I'm planning
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/nano2e/pc1.jpg
In this pic the rad is mounted facing the side. That means I can have a nice smooth finish on the front, with maybe a brushed aluminum sheet on it.
And yes...that on top is a plasma ball...I've been wanting to build one of these ever since seeing it on Linear1's website.


I know I'm moving kinda slow with this whole project...and there are several reasons for that:

I'm new..so I'm worried I'll do something stupid
I'm trying to teach myself Diff Eq and guitar
I've been practicing my drums way more than normal

Sorry about the slowness...but hopefully it will be worth it.

[flamerail]

Interesting project. Ill Stay tuned!

[Electron Chaser]

Lots of ideas, plenty of options to go with in that case as well. Looking forward to see what develops