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My 1st Hackingtosh mod... its a G4 Cube!

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Joined
Oct 29, 2012
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5
Motherboard
Touchsmart 600
CPU
Core 2 Duo
Graphics
GeForce GT 230
Mac
  1. 0
Classic Mac
  1. iBook
Mobile Phone
  1. iOS
I had this cube sitting around for over a year that a saved from a recycling bin. I knew I wanted rebuild it but I didn't want windows to be my main OS. I decided to research to see what was out there. I found chaodesigns and BoomR projects and they were the inspiration for my take on a cube mod. I want to have the same look and functionality as the original G4 cube. I decided use a DVD drive, add infrared for using apple remote, Bluetooth for keyboard and mouse. I don't have a recent mac so the last thing I will be adding will be software. I read around the site to make sure the parts I was using are mostly compatible with OSX.

I put together my list of parts

Motherboard: Intel Desktop Board - DH61AG Miniatx
Processor: Intel Core i3-3225 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155
Memory:
Corsair 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 SODIMM Memory Kit
CPU Cooler: GELID Slim Silence Iplus Heatpipe CPU Cooler Heatsink
Power Supply:
19v/8.4A 160 Watt AC-DC Power Adapter
SSD:
MyDigitalSSD 128GB BP3 Bullet Proof 3 mSATA III (6G)
HDD: 250GB Seagate (already owned)
DVD:
Sony Optiarc AD-7800H-01 8X SATA Slot Load
Wifi:
Broadcom BCM94322 4322 half mini PCI wireless wifi card
Bluetooth:
Targus ACB10US1 dongle
Infrared: MacBook Pro Infrared board

I have never soldered before so it should be interesting to modify the infrared adapter and the power sensor.

The cube has been disassembled for a while so I had no pictures of the old parts. So I will just start with pics as chronological as I can since its almost completed.
 
I had this cube sitting around for over a year that a saved from a recycling bin. I knew I wanted rebuild it but I didn't want windows to be my main OS. I decided to research to see what was out there. I found chaodesigns and BoomR projects and they were the inspiration for my take on a cube mod. I want to have the same look and functionality as the original G4 cube. I decided use a DVD drive, add infrared for using apple remote, Bluetooth for keyboard and mouse. I don't have a recent mac so the last thing I will be adding will be software. I read around the site to make sure the parts I was using are mostly compatible with OSX.

I put together my list of parts

Motherboard: Intel Desktop Board - DH61AG Miniatx
Processor: Intel Core i3-3225 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155
Memory:
Corsair 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 SODIMM Memory Kit
CPU Cooler: GELID Slim Silence Iplus Heatpipe CPU Cooler Heatsink
Power Supply:
19v/8.4A 160 Watt AC-DC Power Adapter
SSD:
MyDigitalSSD 128GB BP3 Bullet Proof 3 mSATA III (6G)
HDD: 250GB Seagate (already owned)
DVD:
Sony Optiarc AD-7800H-01 8X SATA Slot Load
Wifi:
Broadcom BCM94322 4322 half mini PCI wireless wifi card
Bluetooth:
Targus ACB10US1 dongle
Infrared: MacBook Pro Infrared board

I have never soldered before so it should be interesting to modify the infrared adapter and the power sensor.

The cube has been disassembled for a while so I had no pictures of the old parts. So I will just start with pics as chronological as I can since its almost completed.

I would advise that you change either the motherboard to DQ77KB or the CPU to i3-2125 as you are mixing generations (which should work but may not).

And welcome to the forum.
neil
 
Thanks for the heads up neil, might be easier to change the CPU. Guess it wont be as smooth as I thought. :)
 
I second Neil's suggestion to change the CPU. I had that CPU in that board and it wasn't a happy fit. I wound up going with a i3 2125 and saving the i3 3225 for the DQ77KB board (my next build). I'm very happy to see that you have started your project and chose to share with our little community here. Welcome aboard!

chaos
 
Continued the build while waiting for new CPU. It's now complete (minus polishing case) I'm happy to say.
Mostly everything worked. Followed instructions and install was a breeze. I had an issue that was replicated by chaosdesigns, who guide was my main inspiration. I didn't use the touch power button due to spacing, and opted for optical drive vs moving it to the front. Even my first time soldering worked out better than I expected when I was able to successfully get the infrared adapted to USB. Here are some shots of process.


IMG_1595.jpg
Heat-sink Cut
IMG_1600.jpg
Side View
IMG_1601.jpg
I/O Shield test fitted
IMG_1604.jpg
Attached board to latch
IMG_1605.jpg
Board mounted
IMG_1610.jpg
Testing cable fit
IMG_1619.jpg
Cut Aluminum to cover excess space around I/O Shield
IMG_1623.jpg
Test before riveting
IMG_1636.jpg
IMG_1631.jpg
IMG_1640.jpg
Also cut a piece to mount fans to drive cage. Mounted HDD to sit under the ODD. Used shell from old drive to mount new drive using double stick tape.
IMG_1625.jpg
Testing 6/32 screws, didn't have to retread them.
IMG_1641.jpg
Here is fan mounted, cant see from this pic but rubber rings sit between fan and base.
 
Me too. How are things going?

chaos
 
Sorry for the long break guys. I've been really enjoying the cube :D.

Thanks Chaos and Neil you saved me a lot of headaches with processor change.


Created a bracket for IR receiver with foam board. Glued board behind after cutting a hole to slip unit through. Worked out well.
IMG_1643.jpgIMG_1644.jpg
View with Fan and DVD mounted
IMG_1647.jpg
Drilled hole and mounted WiFi antennae
IMG_1648.jpg
Everything put together and works.Added fans to top bracket to expel air.
IMG_1654.jpgIMG_1652.jpg
I added 23'' Cinema Display found on Craigslist for great price. Software install was pretty straight forward as long as you follow the guide with Uni and Multi-beast.
IMG_1759.jpg


I thought I was satisfied but wanted to add fire-wire port for newly acquired iSight camera and 2 USB ports to top for easy access. So went back into build mode.
Parts added: PCI-E Express 1X Riser Card Extender Extension Cable Ribbon
IEEE 1394 6P Male to Female Extension Cable 25cm Fire-wire
2 Port USB Internal Rear Panel For Motherboard
Mounted USB to top. Made a bracket but didn't get a pic before installing. just enough space behind motherboard to allow cord to clear case.
IMG_1779.jpg
Cut a hole to mount Fire-wire port.
IMG_1781.jpg
Created a bracket to mount PCI-e Fire-wire card. The extension cable is connected and mounted left of fan close to handle.
IMG_1777.jpgIMG_1776.jpgIMG_1773.jpg


I enjoy my Cube as I have made it my primary machine. I remote into my Windows box as a backup. The only issue I have which have been slightly annoying is Bluetooth... sleep/wake. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't I have tried two different adapters with same results. I'm considering a wired keyboard and keep just mouse wireless so waking after sleep is possible.
IMG_1950.jpg
 
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