A Big Project: Need Help Badly

Noah

Hello,

I was directed here by a friend. Nice forum ya got here! :) I have a major project that seems impossible to complete, but I think you all can help. Here is the plan:

I got a one-and-an-half year old Dell Dimension 8200. It has a nice setup, and it isn't down on power. ;) I want to make it look more "mine" and more "shnazzay." I found a nice Antec case that I want to mod (never modded before :p). I would like to have a window on the left side and tube lighting inside the case. Here are detailed stats from the computer, courtesy of SiSoftware Sandra:

What are the steps that I should take to complete my goal? Anyone want to detail them for me? Thanks.

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...2504&sku=29414

I am likin' that acrylic window for my new case. Cheap and nice-looking. ;) Looking for attractive lighting kits right now.

faceless105

so what other then a window are you planning to personalize it? for window kits you can buy those almost anywhere. xoxide has a few of them, or you could do your own custom job which always looks nice. but this whole schnazzy look you were talkin about, what exactly did that include?

Noah

Windows, good tube lighting (if I can find it). More to come, don't worry.

homer

You may or may not be able to transfer your dell system into the new case. Sometimes they are proprietary (sp?) sizes etc. But find out. Then you'll want some kind of a modders tool, dremel, need I say more? Dont get cordless. Get some CCFLs either on the forums (some ppl I think are selling em) or Xoxide.com. Another great place to find cool mod stuff would be www.frozencpu.com.

Noah

Can I mod my current Dell case? I can supply pictures of it if you need.

mechem

get yourself a dremel and get to hacking some holes. Get a uv theme going. Like paint down fan blades and fan casing, and everything. then toss in some uv lights and glow away.

Dai_Shan

Noah, you can mod anything man! a dell case isn't any different then any other case. just start thinking of what could be done to it....take it apart, see how its constructed etc. then start cutting away.

most likely you will have to remove some parts to the side pannel they often have some weird metal sheilding stuff(can just be removed...but pry wanna make sure it isn't involved in holding panel on...on edges etc)

cut out side window, buff it smooth, give case a nice paint job, install window,, slap some lights on that biznitch and you are in bizniz.

Noah

Alright! Thanks Dai Shan. I will post updates here. I may stick with the Dell casing and do some extreme modding, or I will get a new one and do less modding. Probably stick w/ my Dell. It's nicer to show off that you can do crazy mods to something "proprietary." ;)

For the Dell:

http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/frozencpu/win-50.html

mod maddness

first off, the dell is a layer of plastic sht and then a fat metal to dissapare heat. it requires a lot heat and then bent acrillic to finish. second if u buy a new case u need a new mobo because its not atx. its gaytx. i hate dell and right now my old dell is not a dell, but my own!
get a new case, a cheap mobo
and ur set. u can mod anything, if u have time money and slaves.

mikejr83

I believe that Dell uses a proprietary PSU (powersupply) there for making it a bit harder to move to a new case. I've also heard that since Dell uses a proprietary PSU you can't change it out to a differing manufacturer due to the fact that it uses a Dell only hook up to the motherboard. You'd also have to look at how your buttons (on/off, reset) would hookup. They shouldn't be proprietary, but as I mentioned with the powersupply it could be possible. Also remember a lot of computer manufacturers like to make their own faceplates up for the drives. See if you'res are removable or if they will work with any cases that you have in mind. Both of these things could be done by fabrication of new parts (or removal) of stuff in your new case. Its possible and I've done it with my Sony Vaio. The last thing you'll need to look at is to see how the screws that hold your motherboard to the tray are setup. Go to a local computer store and see if their trays will match up. If they do you have another plus, if they don't then that could be that you have to do lots more fabrication! Good luck!

Mike

Bradish

if you find out how to open that stupid case, then you'll be my hero.... and then you have the gaytx mobo to deal with... good luck:) happy modding!

phantasma

Well If you have basic common sense I think you can open up a Dell case, they are fairly simple. Just push in the little button/tabs and open it like a door. What's the video card u have in there. GL I'd like to see a modded DELL besides DELL's "gamer PC pre-mod" XPS.

Killa

I work for Dell and yes we have mostly proprietary systems and it would be a a pain to switch cases. You can't even add your own harddrive without a 'special bracket'. hahahah. Its so dumb. :) Good luck on the moddin' though.

couchpotato013

Hurray! an honest employee. Killa-AMD, you make Dell have the #1 tech support (or some BS like that).

I heard that if you measure the volts coming from the Dell powersupply, you could rearrange the pins to work with normal ATX mobos. I read about it somewhere several years ago. Only problem is that you need to know what the pin locations for ATX PSUs are.

phantasma

LOL You work at DELL and still love AMD's, thats great.

JoJoBean

ya what they said just show some pics cuz id like to see some of this work done on a dell