Parts I can't find...

[McSpin]

I've decided to build my computer from the ground up. I'm even building the case out of wood. It seems very few people do this, so I'm having trouble figuring out one area.

I obviously want some kind of control panel on the front of the computer that includes an on/off switch, reset button, led lights for power and hard drive. I also want to integrate some USB ports and possibly firewire.

The problem is, I can't find all the componenets to build this. Can anyone help out on this?

 

[doublebassdanny]

You should be able to buy a piece of crap case off ebay or something that will give you some decent USB cables (the type that connect directly to the MOBO). And the Power switches etc. will be included too. If you can't find a Direct to Mobo USB cable (sorry for the non-tech term, I don't know the name of these), you could just get a USB Hub like this

Hope that gets you started. Sounds like you are innovative with the whole wood case thing so you should do well. (Make sure that ventilates well if you've got any kind of firepower under the hood). Good luck!
Danny

 

[McSpin]

Ebay tends to beat you up with the shipping charges. If I have to cannibalize a PC, I'll probably try to find a newer computer locally that has failed for someone.

I'm sure somebody makes these types of parts and sell them new. I did find some LED lights at Radio Shack. I actually have an old PC myself, that I could take the switch off the front, but it was a cheap case and the switch looks crappy. I plan on making the new case a nice cabinet and don't want to rig a piece of crummy white plastic on the front. The old case also has a couple USB ports on the front, but I'm sure they are USB 1.0. Does anyone know if these can be used for a USB 2.0 connection?

(Make sure that ventilates well if you've got any kind of firepower under the hood). Good luck!

Thanks, I have the desire for a very quiet case and I've got some ideas that I think will enable me to make it more quiet than what I can buy, and I also think I can ventilate it much more efficiently than any commercial case I've seen.