So I have an interesting thought

procupine14 · Jul 9, 2009, 06:31 PM

Here's the plan. What I am thinking about doing is finding a vintage computer (most likely something alog the lines of an Apple IIe or around the same era) preferrably one that is no longer working (I wouldn't want to use one that was it just seems uncalled for) and shelling it out, putting an LCD monitor of approixmately the same size into the place where the current screen resides in it aand using the rest of the empty space to build a computer in.

I am wondering if anyone thinks that there would be plenty of room in the casing for what I am thinking about doing and if it will work out. Aside from the screen replacement I will be attempting to keep the outside appearance of this vintage mutant as stock as possible save for on the back which would be used for venting.

Tyrsonswood · Jul 9, 2009, 08:14 PM

You're going to have to splice some kind of modern keyboard in there too...... that may mess with the aesthetics a little.

Mac Daddy · Jul 10, 2009, 02:23 AM

True Ty but sounds like a cool idea ... man we only live once

isaak · Jul 12, 2009, 11:03 AM

instead of an old computer just put a monitor in the side of a case

thats a 19" in the side of my old case lol!

Mac Daddy · Jul 12, 2009, 03:48 PM

Now that's neat

charm_quark · Jul 12, 2009, 05:26 PM

that is a nice idea

.. what about ventilation ....

BlueMak · Jul 12, 2009, 08:57 PM

You could take an Atari ST or Amiga 1200 (non working) and place a laptop mainboard in it.

procupine14 · Jul 22, 2009, 05:38 PM

Yeah that is a pretty good idea. I was thinking along the lines of using some type of mini keyboard seeing as that would most likely be the ONLY thing that would fit in the opening. Nice idea with the monitor but I'm really going for the shock value of the retro computer with all new inside bits

procupine14 · Jul 22, 2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charm_quark

that is a nice idea

.. what about ventilation ....

Most likely I would be perforating part of the back to assist with the venatlation and perhaps find somewhere either along the sides or on the lower part of the front (this all depending on what kind of old kit I score

) for venting. I'm trying to keep it as "stealth" as possible so it will at least resemble what it once was.

Optix · Jul 25, 2009, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isaak

instead of an old computer just put a monitor in the side of a case

thats a 19" in the side of my old case lol!

An oldie, but a goodie.

Make: Online : HOW TO - LCD Window kit case mod

isaak · Jul 26, 2009, 03:34 AM

I knew it must have been done before lol..its pretty neat though :P

Optix · Jul 26, 2009, 07:00 AM

-If- you could find a case wide enough or fabricate a custom panel not to mention find a way to vent the extra heat from the monitor you would have the ultimate LAN case. Just add mouse and keyboard.

procupine14 · Jul 27, 2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optix

-If- you could find a case wide enough or fabricate a custom panel not to mention find a way to vent the extra heat from the monitor you would have the ultimate LAN case. Just add mouse and keyboard.

LOL yeah no kidding. I suspect if you encased the monitor with a vent out a specific location you could keep the heat isolated pretty well. But this is slightly different from what I am proposing. I want to actually install a small LCD into where the original monitor resides in something like (for example) the Apple II that is all one piece (monitor and tower etc).

But that my be out of the question. Finding something that fits my needs for sale has been no less than difficult.

Tyrsonswood · Jul 27, 2009, 04:13 PM

I saw an early Mac at Goodwill that would fit the bill.... was about $20.00 and brand new in the box. I didn't buy it but would have been perfect for a project like this...... So they are out there.

Optix · Jul 27, 2009, 06:57 PM

Yeah, that was mostly in response to the Cooler Master mock up that someone posted.

With your proposed mod you'd likely have to lose soem of the viewing area but most monitors alllow you to modify the viewing area so you could reduce it and shift it as needed.

Another hurdle would be to find a keyboard that will fit. If I recall correctly those keyboards are pretty squished. You'd also probably only have the room to fit an ITX rig in there. Even mATX looks to be a bit big to fit behind the monitor.

Oh, and please don't tool around with the capacitor in there if you do find one to do the mod. Those things pack a punch YEARS after they have last been powered on. One touch of that and you're going to the hospital or worse.

procupine14 · Jul 27, 2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optix

Yeah, that was mostly in response to the Cooler Master mock up that someone posted.

With your proposed mod you'd likely have to lose soem of the viewing area but most monitors alllow you to modify the viewing area so you could reduce it and shift it as needed.

Another hurdle would be to find a keyboard that will fit. If I recall correctly those keyboards are pretty squished. You'd also probably only have the room to fit an ITX rig in there. Even mATX looks to be a bit big to fit behind the monitor.

Oh, and please don't tool around with the capacitor in there if you do find one to do the mod. Those things pack a punch YEARS after they have last been powered on. One touch of that and you're going to the hospital or worse.

Yeah I will be trying to figure out about what I will and won't be able to put in there once I get the actual PC case and see whats up.

No worries with the capacitor. That bad boy is coming out carefully and first thing. I'm not leaving it in there. It's coming out and going into the trash post haste. I'm pretty sure some of those old CRT's pack a punch of around 5,000 to 10,000 Volts and they can carry somewhat of that initial charge for hundreds of years in some cases. trust me, I'm not playing with that since I don't feel like getting electrocuted

And yes thats the plan for the LCD in the case. I'm going out on a limb and saying that, mot likely for practical use the rig would need a second monitor. But the screen embedded in there is going to be mostly for the show and the WTF!?! factor. Also, yes the keyboard issue im a little puzzled about as of now. that will be the hopeful goal is to find a keyboard that I would be able to squeeze into position. But this all still hinges on me digging up a rig suitable for the job. I'm going out tonight to look at a couple places to see if I can find anything at the local GoodWill and Thrift Stores. CHEERS!

GigaWatt · Jul 27, 2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by procupine14

No worries with the capacitor. That bad boy is coming out carefully and first thing. I'm not leaving it in there. It's coming out and going into the trash post haste. I'm pretty sure some of those old CRT's pack a punch of around 5,000 to 10,000 Volts and they can carry somewhat of that initial charge for hundreds of years in some cases. trust me, I'm not playing with that since I don't feel like getting electrocuted

well, technically speaking, they only carry the charge for about a year or two, and that's in the worst case scenario (depending on the diameter of the screen of course)... most of them discharge themselves in 3-6 months (the smaller ones, like the 15" or 17" onces)...

oh, and good luck with the project...

Optix · Jul 28, 2009, 12:58 AM

What about something like this:
Cherry Compact Keyboard, Black, Wired, PS/2 - QWERTZ, Low-profile Keys (G84-4100PRAUS) in USA - Fast Shipping 1.866.800.8060

A quick search didn't get me any info on the monitor but hopefully you're able to get one to sit flush since CRT's are rounded whereas LCD's are flat.

To be honest I can see a lot of fabrication to get the fit and finish just right.

Tyrsonswood · Jul 28, 2009, 04:15 AM

I have one of those Cherry keyboards in white.... nice unit and it's discrete switches in case something needed moved or reconfigured..... could be done with common circuit modding. (If one is in to soldering that is)

GigaWatt · Jul 28, 2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrsonswood

I have one of those Cherry keyboards in white.... nice unit and it's discrete switches in case something needed moved or reconfigured..... could be done with common circuit modding. (If one is in to soldering that is)

i guess they would have to be, if they wanna make a mod like this...LOL

procupine14 · Jul 28, 2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optix

What about something like this:
Cherry Compact Keyboard, Black, Wired, PS/2 - QWERTZ, Low-profile Keys (G84-4100PRAUS) in USA - Fast Shipping 1.866.800.8060

A quick search didn't get me any info on the monitor but hopefully you're able to get one to sit flush since CRT's are rounded whereas LCD's are flat.

To be honest I can see a lot of fabrication to get the fit and finish just right.

Nice that keyboard looks like the ticket

. Yeah I am concerned about the monitor sitting flush as well. Perhaps a little sanding/filing here and there can fix that issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrsonswood

I have one of those Cherry keyboards in white.... nice unit and it's discrete switches in case something needed moved or reconfigured..... could be done with common circuit modding. (If one is in to soldering that is)

hmmmm nice!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GigaWatt

well, technically speaking, they only carry the charge for about a year or two, and that's in the worst case scenario (depending on the diameter of the screen of course)... most of them discharge themselves in 3-6 months (the smaller ones, like the 15" or 17" onces)...

oh, and good luck with the project...

oh really? I thought it was much longer than that. In any case thanks!

Jul 9, 2009, 06:31 PM	#1
procupine14 Why is it Beeping!?!?! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA, Missouri Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 58 System Specs	So I have an interesting thought Here's the plan. What I am thinking about doing is finding a vintage computer (most likely something alog the lines of an Apple IIe or around the same era) preferrably one that is no longer working (I wouldn't want to use one that was it just seems uncalled for) and shelling it out, putting an LCD monitor of approixmately the same size into the place where the current screen resides in it aand using the rest of the empty space to build a computer in. I am wondering if anyone thinks that there would be plenty of room in the casing for what I am thinking about doing and if it will work out. Aside from the screen replacement I will be attempting to keep the outside appearance of this vintage mutant as stock as possible save for on the back which would be used for venting. __________________ HTPC/file server: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom x4 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 800 (2x2GB) - 1TB WD Black - 4 x 1TB Hitachi DeskStar in RAID 5 - ATi TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner - HIS Raedon 4850 512MB - ASRock N68C-S UCC mobo - OCZ ModExtreme Pro 500W PSU GF's Gaming PC: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 1066 - 500GB Western Digital GP - HIS Raedon 5770 1GB - ASUS M3A78-EM - Zalman 650W PSU Media Streamer: Win 7 Pro 64-bit - AMD Athlon x2 3200+ - 4GB SuperTalent DDR2 800 - 250GB SeaGate Barracuda - MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 - ASUS Raedon 5450 SILENT - FSP group 250W PSU

Jul 10, 2009, 02:23 AM	#3
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 80 System Specs	Re: So I have an interesting thought True Ty but sounds like a cool idea ... man we only live once __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Jul 12, 2009, 11:03 AM	#4
isaak HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,286 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Re: So I have an interesting thought instead of an old computer just put a monitor in the side of a case thats a 19" in the side of my old case lol! __________________ The first step... shall be to lose the way. - Galway Kinnell

Jul 12, 2009, 03:48 PM	#5
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 80 System Specs	Re: So I have an interesting thought Now that's neat __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Jul 12, 2009, 05:26 PM	#6
charm_quark incognito Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: BoTsWaNa Posts: 2,437 Rep Power: 140	Re: So I have an interesting thought that is a nice idea .. what about ventilation .... __________________ Three quarks for Muster Mark! Sure he has not got much of a bark And sure any he has it's all beside the mark. —James Joyce, Finnegans Wake

Jul 12, 2009, 08:57 PM	#7
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,481 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Re: So I have an interesting thought You could take an Atari ST or Amiga 1200 (non working) and place a laptop mainboard in it. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Jul 22, 2009, 05:38 PM	Thread Starter #8
procupine14 Why is it Beeping!?!?! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA, Missouri Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 58 System Specs	Re: So I have an interesting thought Yeah that is a pretty good idea. I was thinking along the lines of using some type of mini keyboard seeing as that would most likely be the ONLY thing that would fit in the opening. Nice idea with the monitor but I'm really going for the shock value of the retro computer with all new inside bits __________________ HTPC/file server: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom x4 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 800 (2x2GB) - 1TB WD Black - 4 x 1TB Hitachi DeskStar in RAID 5 - ATi TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner - HIS Raedon 4850 512MB - ASRock N68C-S UCC mobo - OCZ ModExtreme Pro 500W PSU GF's Gaming PC: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 1066 - 500GB Western Digital GP - HIS Raedon 5770 1GB - ASUS M3A78-EM - Zalman 650W PSU Media Streamer: Win 7 Pro 64-bit - AMD Athlon x2 3200+ - 4GB SuperTalent DDR2 800 - 250GB SeaGate Barracuda - MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 - ASUS Raedon 5450 SILENT - FSP group 250W PSU

Jul 26, 2009, 03:34 AM	#11
isaak HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,286 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Re: So I have an interesting thought I knew it must have been done before lol..its pretty neat though :P __________________ The first step... shall be to lose the way. - Galway Kinnell

Jul 26, 2009, 07:00 AM	#12
Optix Slave To Technology Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 1,215 Rep Power: 80 System Specs	Re: So I have an interesting thought -If- you could find a case wide enough or fabricate a custom panel not to mention find a way to vent the extra heat from the monitor you would have the ultimate LAN case. Just add mouse and keyboard.

Jul 27, 2009, 06:57 PM	#15
Optix Slave To Technology Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 1,215 Rep Power: 80 System Specs	Re: So I have an interesting thought Yeah, that was mostly in response to the Cooler Master mock up that someone posted. With your proposed mod you'd likely have to lose soem of the viewing area but most monitors alllow you to modify the viewing area so you could reduce it and shift it as needed. Another hurdle would be to find a keyboard that will fit. If I recall correctly those keyboards are pretty squished. You'd also probably only have the room to fit an ITX rig in there. Even mATX looks to be a bit big to fit behind the monitor. Oh, and please don't tool around with the capacitor in there if you do find one to do the mod. Those things pack a punch YEARS after they have last been powered on. One touch of that and you're going to the hospital or worse.

Jul 28, 2009, 12:58 AM	#18
Optix Slave To Technology Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 1,215 Rep Power: 80 System Specs	Re: So I have an interesting thought What about something like this: Cherry Compact Keyboard, Black, Wired, PS/2 - QWERTZ, Low-profile Keys (G84-4100PRAUS) in USA - Fast Shipping 1.866.800.8060 A quick search didn't get me any info on the monitor but hopefully you're able to get one to sit flush since CRT's are rounded whereas LCD's are flat. To be honest I can see a lot of fabrication to get the fit and finish just right.