I've got an iBook 500 to mod

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Last seen: 19 years 5 days ago
Joined: Dec 19 2003 - 14:45
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I've got an iBook 500 to mod

Hi there,

My dad gave me his iBook 500mhz which has a smashed LCD. The computer itself works flawlessly so I was thinking about either selling the parts (but keeping the HD and buy a FW case) or doing something with it. Building some kind of media center ? I'd really like to do something with it to give it some new life. Now I do have a few questions.

The tech specs are: 500mhz G3/66mhz bus, 640MB PC100 memory, 15GB 4200rpm HD,

Would it be good enough for divx playback and other types of compressed media ? I tried a divx movie and it played fairly well if I didn't touch the computer but then I tried a xvid (I think that's the name) and it was horrible the video was unwatchable with frames constantly dropping. It could be the HD in it that it dying or maybe the machine is just too slow. I used VLC for these quick tests. iTunes won't be a problem I guess, altough my library is pretty huge (almost 13000 tracks).

I'd want a new case. Now I have 2 options: design one myself that fits in nicely with my hifi rack or take a pizzabox mac and hack it in there. I really love the look of the PowerMac 6100 case. If use that 6100-style case I would like to know the following:

Can I use the case's power supply to power the iBook ? Or some other fairly stock powersupply, (so I can reuse the ibook's power adapter as a back up for my powerbook's)

Now next question: the optical drive is internally connected with this really thin ribbon connector. Now If I were to buy an el cheapo combo drive of some sorts to fit in the 6100 case it will obviously not come with that kind of connector. Are there any adapters out there that would connect such a ribbon type interface to a normal IDE interface ?

Monitor: I don't really know how the LCD interfaces with the graphics card (haven't checked that out yet) but I presume it must be with some sort of special connector like that ribbon cable used with optical drive. Would it be possible to somehow make that a standard VGA connector ? That would be sooo helpful. If not possible I could maybe use the little VGA port.

The monitor issue is my biggest problem. I'll probably just use my TV as a monitor btw and maybe Apple Remote Desktop to control the machine if I need higher resoltions.

thanks

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[quote]Can I use the case's p

Can I use the case's power supply to power the iBook ? Or some other fairly stock powersupply, (so I can reuse the ibook's power adapter as a back up for my powerbook's)

Depends if the 6100's PSU outputs 24v (unlikely)

Now next question: the optical drive is internally connected with this really thin ribbon connector. Now If I were to buy an el cheapo combo drive of some sorts to fit in the 6100 case it will obviously not come with that kind of connector. Are there any adapters out there that would connect such a ribbon type interface to a normal IDE interface ?

Probably, it depends ont the connector, I have seen converters to let you use the PB drives in a desktop mac, so it must be possible.

Monitor: I don't really know how the LCD interfaces with the graphics card (haven't checked that out yet) but I presume it must be with some sort of special connector like that ribbon cable used with optical drive. Would it be possible to somehow make that a standard VGA connector ? That would be sooo helpful. If not possible I could maybe use the little VGA port.

The LCD is likely to be driven directly and is therefore unlikely to drive any sort of monitor other then the LCD, that 'Book (unless it's been hacked) can only use mirroring on the VGA port, so I'd just use that for video out. (i.e. no "ghost display" problems)

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Joined: Dec 20 2003 - 10:38
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replace LCD?

It's pretty easy and a replacement LCD can be had for well under $100 if you keep a sharp eye on eBay. You can use pretty much any XGA 12.1" LCD.

For starters, here's an eBay search:

"(ltn121x*,lp121x*)" -without the quote marks-

(check the "Search title and description" box)

dan k

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Last seen: 19 years 5 days ago
Joined: Dec 19 2003 - 14:45
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Re: replace LCD?

It's pretty easy and a replacement LCD can be had for well under $100 if you keep a sharp eye on eBay. You can use pretty much any XGA 12.1" LCD.

For starters, here's an eBay search:

"(ltn121x*,lp121x*)" -without the quote marks-

(check the "Search title and description" box)

dan k

Yeah well, finding that on ebay ni Europe is much harder (not to say almost impossible in Belgium, were I live). And I don't wish to spend too much on it really. My idea doesn't really need a new screen.

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