View Full Version : My computer-case mod for the Xbox
Thought I'd share this here since I'm primarily using it for XBMC.
Things I wanted to add to the case to make it worth the trouble:
-Logitech wireless controller receiver
-Xbox remote receiver
-USB
-Room for expansion if I desire!
What I will be running inside the case.
-Version 1.0 Xbox
-DuoX2 modchip
-300gb+ hard drive
-2x 80mm fans
I'll take some more pictures of it tomorrow if people are interested; I've made a lot of progress since these pictures were taken. Another goal of mine was to make as much of the Xbox hardware swappable incase something breaks, but for some things I had to make wires longer on it wasn’t possible.
Case started out looking like this:
http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/2091/originalcaseqs4.jpg
Original buttons and LED clip in here just like on the original case:
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/3766/xbmcmodification02ss1.jpg
Controller ports 1&2 are on the front, there will be a cover over them during normal use.
http://img319.imageshack.us/img319/2138/xbmcmodification01va7.jpg
I decided to use the base and rear of the Xbox case since it had all the mounting screw and connector holes in the correct spots:
http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/9273/xbmcmodification03bf3.jpg
Kind of a bad picture but this shows the controller ports mounted to the case:
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/668/xbmcmodification04yy8.jpg
Test fit of most of the original parts:
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/701/xbmctestfit02ma9.jpg
Front of the case all primered up:
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/6559/xbmctestfit04vj2.jpg
Nice and clean work! :grin:
Painted the front yesterday, I dont like it. It's to glossy and easy to see imperfections. I am going to sand down again and use a satin black paint. Hopefully it looks good because I really don't want to paint it again.
http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/1201/3almostdone07yp0.jpg
Here is a picture of the usb and wireless controller reciever.
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/228/3almostdone05eh3.jpg
wow very nice, thats something similar to what scape did lol he called it the xbox hifi media center or something, very nice u guys should take that into mass production lol
Oh nice I didn't even see that down there in his sig. I am probably going to make another and maybe try to get it a bit smaller. Not as small as scape's though, that thing is amazingly small, hahaha. If I'm happy with the next one I make I might try to sell this one, its pretty much flawless but there are a few things I'd change. The amount of work that goes into making one of these is rediculous! I can't see being able to mass produce them very fast at all, and it sure wouldn't be cheap.
I'll take some pictures of the satin black finish I put on last week. It looks much better than the glossy stuff and the paint went on a lot nicer.
Here's the front all finished up:
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/5773/4finishedfront01ph6.jpg
http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/222/4finishedfront04gh7.jpg
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4892/4finishedfront05hr9.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/24/4finishedfront06tl5.jpg
I'm having a great thread here by myself!! I finished extending the last of the wires this afternoon and just got done putting my xbox inside the case. Hooked everything together and it booted right up. Hardwired IR works, hardwired wireless controller works, and all the buttons on the front work.
Left to do:
-put final coat of paint on the case cover
-hook up 80mm fans
-paint the cover that goes over the front controller ports
-figure out something to do that looks nice with the dvdrom
Gamester17
2006-09-08, 10:39
cool, ...but why didn't you 'hide' the DVD-ROM drive front?, why not just have a think slit for the tray only or alternative have a lid that spings back (like manu computer cases come with today)?
PS! Does the wireless controller signal work well through the steel/metal case or is the signal degraded (making the maximum usage distance shorter)?
@bmthorn:
Turns out really nice. A LCD on the right side would be cool. Have you left the space there for an LCD?
Feel free to have inspirations by my sony-case-mod in my signature. :;):
cool, ...but why didn't you 'hide' the DVD-ROM drive front?, why not just have a think slit for the tray only or alternative have a lid that spings back (like manu computer cases come with today)?
Thats the next step, the project's not finished yet.
PS! Does the wireless controller signal work well through the steel/metal case or is the signal degraded (making the maximum usage distance shorter)?
I was unsure at first if the reciever would work back there so I tested it ahead of time. It seems to have good enough signal from anywhere in the room.
@bmthorn:
Turns out really nice. A LCD on the right side would be cool. Have you left the space there for an LCD?
Feel free to have inspirations by my sony-case-mod in my signature. :;):
The LCD is a really cool idea but I don't think I would make good use of it. Most of the time my xbox would be to far away to see the LCD. There is definitely room for expansion with this case though. If I ever wanted to add it I'm sure I could make it work. I looked at all of your pictures and your case looked very well done!
Left to do:
-put final coat of paint on the case cover
-hook up 80mm fans
-paint the cover that goes over the front controller ports
-figure out something to do that looks nice with the dvdrom
you finished??? cummon i want to see more pics it looks reallly good!!!:D
I'll probably start working on it again next week and I'll update people here. Right now I'm waiting for my XIR V2 Beta to arrive; I decided to buy it on Monday! I've slowed down a bit since my only working Xbox is in the case, anything I do now that takes a lot of time will leave me with out xbmc... Also I've got well over 40 hours invested in this project, it's nice to have a little break.
Here's an action shot of the thing working and a couple with the case cover painted for now though.
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8879/poweredandworkingrf1.jpg
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3507/casecover02hb3.jpg
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/1194/casecover01jp2.jpg
Very nice case, good work.
Still awating my XIR...
Here is the DVD-Rom door that I started to work on:
http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/4416/dvdromdoorbe7.jpg
It will fit in this opening when it is all done and hopefuly look very nice. I'll be filling in that dimple too.
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/5972/dooropeningwq3.jpg
Looks like my picture of the dvdrom door didn't show up. So I'll repost it:
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6391/dvdromdoorkj6.jpg
It needs to be smothed out and shaped a bit more but should be done next week if I'm not to busy.
I'm already gathering ideas for a smaller case right now. Chances are I will keep them both but if someone wants to make me a decent offer for my current project I will consider selling.
Same plug as in the picture above but it's a solid piece of fiberglass now. I will be fiberglassing the back side of the Xbox dvd-rom door to my plug so it can be removed if the dvd-rom needs to be replaced.
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8573/dvdromdoor03vi4.jpg