So not that it is anything special, but a build is a build.

[DaRkNeSs123]

The idea of this build, as a few of you might remember, was to take my VERY old 2006 HP Compaq workstation PC, that I have had for god knows how long, and give it a breath of new life before I shelf it for good. The PC specs are, nowadays, complete crap: 512mb RAM, no GPU, Intel Pentium 4 @ 2.2ghz, CD optical drive, 50gb HDD.
My thoughts: Why not build it into a 1960's switchboard type arrangement, and give an old PC some new life (even though it wont be able to do anything now days, I feel that since it still runs like a dream, I will give it a new life).
So I present the start of my newest project build: SwitchBoard.
I have stripped everything out of the ooooooold case, had to cut a few pieces out that were going to gum up the works, and taken care of all the rust by grinding it back to bare metal and hitting it with some high-zinc galvanizing spray to stop it from rusting further.
I have ordered a top-of-the-line GPU from 2006 and it should be here within the week. I have also ordered in a fan controller that still has the big chunky dials, which will be great with the 1960's style turn dials I managed to dig up for it.
I did however come across a large issue with the case. Being a 2006 work station PC, the thing was build to last. I took a wire wheel to the case to get all the paint off, and because it was built to last, the whole bloody case is powder coated (fairly sure just to tick me off) which means I have got to get some stripper and strip the whole thing. Fun stuff right?
Any way, here are some pics that I remembered to take along the way. Oh, and my cat hiding in an esky haha. More to come.

 

[DaRkNeSs123]

Forgot this one to so hereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it is xD

 

[Layback Bear]

Nice project.
I don't see the cat. I have no idea what a esky is.
Where do you live having those kinds of trees?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Nice project.
I don't see the cat. I have no idea what a esky is.
Where do you live having those kinds of trees?

What our friendly neighborhood bear said.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Just scratch up the power coating as it will make a fantastic primer and would be crazy tough to sand through to metal.

 

[DaRkNeSs123]

sorry i had no more tabs to upload the image.
Im from pakistan.
Here you go the picture of my cat xD
Thanks For The Compliment

 

[DaRkNeSs123]

Just scratch up the power coating as it will make a fantastic primer and would be crazy tough to sand through to metal.

The powdercoat is damaged in spots, with some of the case having rusted under the powder - I wouldn't be removing it unless I feel I needed too haha

 

[Layback Bear]

My cat Helen.

 

[DaRkNeSs123]

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww so cuteeeeeeeeeeeeeee nice

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

My cat Helen.

View attachment 345400

You mean your boss, Helen (people don't own cats; they cater to them). She is darling!

 

[DaRkNeSs123]

Guys please let me know do you like what i did?

 

[Layback Bear]

So far so good.
Just keep posting pictures as you continue with your build. We like pictures.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

You definitely are taking the correct approach by completely stripping it down and giving it a proper paint job.

 

[Layback Bear]

I'm thinking once you get the case looking all good you could put some new hardware in it and call it the Sleeper.

Looks like a 10 old system but flies like a new system.

People watching would wonder how you got that old thing to work so fast.

A Sleeper is what people call a race car that doesn't look like a race car. It just runs like a race car when someone challenges you.

Just a thought.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Likely painted then, it's not powder coated as rust wouldn't form under it and it's hardness would be much tougher to sand.

 

[DaRkNeSs123]

I'm thinking once you get the case looking all good you could put some new hardware in it and call it the Sleeper.

Looks like a 10 old system but flies like a new system.

People watching would wonder how you got that old thing to work so fast.

A Sleeper is what people call a race car that doesn't look like a race car. It just runs like a race car when someone challenges you.

Just a thought.

Yeah I know what a sleeper is haha. I got one myself and we were considering doing that, but we have a really old IBM (you know the big old white cases?) we are going to do that to in the not so far future. Also, due to the small form factor of the case, it would be tough getting in a fullsized graphics card and PSU.

 

[Layback Bear]

That IBM idea sound very good.
I forgot the about the small form factor of the HP Compaq case. It would take a lot of work just to install one of todays quality power supplies in. HP still makes cases that you can do very much with.

 

[DaRkNeSs123]

That IBM idea sound very good.
I forgot the about the small form factor of the HP Compaq case. It would take a lot of work just to install one of todays quality power supplies in. HP still makes cases that you can do very much with.

Yeah. Even the mobo is shaped funny to fit it in. lol xD