Printer-to-Computer Mod

Make windows, cool designs, heck just plain abuse that baby! Share case modding tips and ideas
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Bigal
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Yes...

Post by Bigal »

...at least if fit in the envelope and only cost me two stamps. Besides, I can't give you the circuit board that was driving it since I need that to hold all the buttons in place. Maybe you can use if for something, or it could be a replacement someday when another one burns out. Who knows. Just throw it in your parts bin... :rolleyes:
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Bigal
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Few more pics...

Post by Bigal »

I borrowed a digital camera from work for the weekend, and took a few pictures of the Matrix Orbital LCD now that it's installed and functional. Here ya go...

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What do you think about the EL Panel that I installed behind my stencil "Bigal's Computers"? I got it from another Thermaltake X-view kit ($20) which has two of the panels. Funny how I don't use their kit the way they intended it to be used. Anyway, I took a chance on the EL Panel by cutting it down to size, so that it would fit in that small VFD area where you used to see the "Ready" text or error codes from the printer. The panel works fine, as long as you don't cut the wires coming off the panel.

And I also got my hands on another printer they were going to throw out. It's an HP LaserJet 4Si MX, but it's got a serious internal problem that would cost $400 to repair. Sounds like mod fodder to me!

Image :D
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Pugsley
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Post by Pugsley »

make that one a file server since its bigger! and the EL looks good. and that LCD software is the one that came with it? i have been looking for some nicer stuff, ive been using LCDsmartie for ever and want one that can do that cool multi line text stuff.
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Augix
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Post by Augix »

DAMMM GOOD BIGAL ! my friend that is very very cool !

btw are u going to PCALAN 2004 ? if so we can go together . (PM) :D
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Post by nexus_7 »

awsome work there. :)

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Bigal
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Thanks guys...

Post by Bigal »

Pugsley - One of my friends suggested that I make this second one actually print (via inkjet printer), along with being a computer of course. It sure was heavy (too much for one person), but it will be much lighter without all that paper handling stuff packed inside of it. Anyway the software that drives the Matrix Orbital is called LCDC ( http://www.lcdc.cc/ ), and it's pretty good stuff. You get a licensed copy when you buy the LCD from Matrix. Most of the precanned software screens are configured for 2-line displays, so I've started modifying it to read in four lines. I don't have much free time right now though. It might take a while to get it reading exactly what I want to see. I still don't have the thermacouples being read by the software.

Augix - When and where is the PCALAN this year? Are we talking Canada? My wife already has me signed up for a visit to Italy later on. I'm going to miss my machines.... :(

Nexus_7 - You never say anything bad about my work. Somebodys gonna think I'm paying you to say only good things. By the way, how much do I owe you? :rolleyes:

This has been a fun and exciting build. I get the most enjoyment out of building a computer. I don't know why, but it's probably a genetic thing. My dad built things out of wood; he may have built computers if they were around in his younger days. I wish I could get my boys more interested in building computers, rather than just playing games on them....:jedi
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Pugsley
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Post by Pugsley »

build them crapy computers that dont play well.. then show them how good yours is and tell them that if they one one that good they need to build it (or help you build it whatever the case may be).
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Bigal
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That might work...

Post by Bigal »

...the next time they want a major upgrade. I'm not going to disable or disassemble their current platforms, as they are needed for school projects. My older son just finished a major C ++ software assignment, and got it running early in the morning a few days ago. It's more important that he does well in school right now. We'll see what happens as the year wears on....*&
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Lots of hand-built and modded AMD systems.
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Bigal
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Minor mods....

Post by Bigal »

Since I cannot leave a good project alone, I've done a few more things to this machine during March. First I added a USB port to the front, right next to the DVD drive. I used one of those dual USB ports mounted to a PCI frame to obtain the single USB port. I even picked up another one of those sets at a computer show this weekend for only $2.50. I have also been striving to reduce the low noise level even further. I replaced the Vantec 92mm fan (running around 1700 RPM) with a Zalman 92mm fan (running around 1500 RPM). I thought the northbridge fan was running too fast (as in 5000 RPM), so I used a Thermaltake 3-speed fan switch to slow it down to around 2400 RPM. Overall, it's hard to say if I've lowered the noise floor. One big improvement I made was with the monitor cable. Apparently I was using a "VGA" cable, but now I have an "SVGA" cable (from the computer show this weekend - $12) that has 4 times the shielding. The 19" Viewsonic PF790 CRT looks much better as a result.

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Maybe I need to work on the power supply fans next. Does anybody have some suggestions on how to run those fans at a slower speed without messing up the built-in speed controls? It's an Antec model SL400 power supply with dual fans. I guess I need to install a dropping resistor, similar to the method that Zalman uses with their two-speed quiet fans. :w hat

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Post by canton_kid »

That's a great mod you have going there!

That big of case and that much space, can you squeeze in the guts from a lexmark printer? Lexmark cases are alot larger than the actual working parts inside. If you stripped the guts and installed inside the case you could connect the USB internally and print a few pages. Cheap lexmark z25 or so is about $20.
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Nomad
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Post by Nomad »

My first post here, :D , just like to say that this mod is definitely grade A. Well done, and looks good.

Ohhh and for a person that is somewhat planning on going to his first LAN party, I would have to say I am definitely thinking about PCAlan.
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Pugsley
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Post by Pugsley »

i dont know... you might want to go to a different one first. cause if you make PCA your first lan all the other ones will look like crap! ;)
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eGoCeNTRoNiX
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Post by eGoCeNTRoNiX »

Originally posted by Pugsley
i dont know... you might want to go to a different one first. cause if you make PCA your first lan all the other ones will look like crap! ;)


Was my first, and will be my 2nd. I travel from Louisiana just to be there.. :)
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Bigal
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Oh, you're too kind...

Post by Bigal »

Thanks for the compliments guys. It's going to be a while before I create another mod like this one, mostly because I have lots of work to perform around the house (like interior painting, for one thing). I wish somebody would take this HP LaserJet 4Si MX printer off my hands so I don't even think about modding it. If I do mod it down the road, I think it's capable of holding lots of extra features, and printing something via an inkjet is a good idea.

If somebody wants it, let me know. I'm in the Springfield, Virginia area (near Washington D.C.). :D
<color=red>Home web site: http://www.bigal-computers.net</color>

<color=blue>Like motorcycles? Check out the WORMS here: http://www.bigal-computers.net/worms.php</color>

Lots of hand-built and modded AMD systems.
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Bigal
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Latest snaps....

Post by Bigal »

....more pictures to feast your eyes on, thanks to my friend pseizure2000 at http://www.cooltechzone.com!

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Here I am taking off the Vantec Stealth fan and replacing it with a quieter Zalman Silent fan. The difference in
noise level was minor.

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This shows some detail of the heatpipe heatsink (Thermalright SP-97).

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An unusual angle showing the USB port installation in the front paper tray.

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A better angle of the USB port. This was taken before I finished the Dremel work to cut a hole for the cable.

I suppose I will keep upgrading this machine when I find something interesting to try. I hope to get a new videocard
before the summer is over - maybe a new nVidia 6800 series???? It's only money! :rolleyes:
<color=red>Home web site: http://www.bigal-computers.net</color>

<color=blue>Like motorcycles? Check out the WORMS here: http://www.bigal-computers.net/worms.php</color>

Lots of hand-built and modded AMD systems.
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