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serpent
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Joined: 07 Jun 2005
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 Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:02 pm Post subject: Intel Mac Mini now Running on 12v ATX PSU !!!!!! |
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Well here is a crude(iPhone and very low light) picture of what I rigged up using a 20 cent resistor and spare mini plug tonite.
on the rh side is old cord from power brick. This mini is 1.66ghz 1gb ram and 100gb HDD, bone stock.
all usb and firewire running ie. keyboard, mouse, iPhone, & iSight
will the mini wake up from sleep?......I have no clue
will wifi and DVR work?......I have no clue
can you damage your mini by doing this?.......Again, I have no clue
Sorry for the crappy pics but I'm too lazy to break out the D200 or my LX2.
Kaidomac is on his way to Radio Shack to buy some resistors as I post this and I'm sure his write-up and pics will do this mod more justice.
DISCLAIMER:
Don't try this at home, all modding done by professionals under controled conditions.
Any damage done while attempting to duplicate this is done under your own free will and you CANNOT hold me liable or accountable.
YMMV
enjoy
Serpent
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Ich bleibe einfach liegen
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kaidomac
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Joined: 29 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:46 pm Post subject: Re: Intel Mac Mini now Running on 12v ATX PSU !!!!!! |
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Just got back from Rat Shack. Snagged a 5-pack of 3.3k-ohm resistors, p/n 271-1122, $1.05 with tax here. Let the Frankensteining begin  |
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toru173
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Joined: 04 Sep 2007
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:01 am Post subject: |
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No offense serpent, but those connections can only be discribed as craptacular. Even just testing like this I would have gone to the effort of getting a female molex socket and using some heat shrink - but you could have at least made clean joints >_<
Still, it's awesome to know that the info I dug up for you came in handy. I presume the "bone stock" mini is a totally new one? Hopefully things will work ok this time!
One thing you might want to do is measure the current draw at the connection. If it's low (if memory serves correctly, something like under 2 or 3 amps) you might be able to connect the GND to the -5V line to get 17v - the mini psu supplies 18, doesn't it?
Anyway, just a thought. I don't know if the -5 line can sink that much current and I don't know if it would be a good idea anyway, as the case wouldn't be grounded. Happy hacking! |
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serpent
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:12 am Post subject: |
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toru173, thanks for the compliment! And "No Offense"but if you go back over a year ago you will see that I linked back to Mark Geekly's Blog and using what he did to run our mini's totally on 12v. He deserves all the credit here!
| Quote: | Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:41 pm Post subject:
hey kaidomac, I'm just shy of putting another feather into my hat! Get this, in my ongoing search of all info into what were doing I find this webpage where this guy is running 2 g4 PPC mini's with not 1, not 2, but Zero powerbricks!!! all power from conventional power supply. He says since no power from MB for HD or DVR no need for 18v to mini! check it out here: http://www.markandjo.com/markblog/?p=3 I'll buy the scotchloc's you pick up the resisters!
hehe
Serpent
newsflash.....airport card also has aux. output jack so external antennae is possible! |
Now that we got rid of the offenses. The reason I so crudly soldered everything up is, This power plug is not going to stay like this. The female Molex which I did solder on will be directly soldered to the motherboard and if I did shrink wrap everything no one would be able to see what was soldered where.
As far as the -5v goes I wouldn't suggest anyone use that connection or the -12v connection since they are not regulated by the psu.
serpent
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Ich bleibe einfach liegen
Und wieder zähle ich die Fliegen |
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toru173
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Joined: 04 Sep 2007
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:45 pm Post subject: |
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Yarr matey!
I be apologisin - thought that by your words you were admittin that I was givin you somethin new. Obviously me hearty, this bein't the case!
She be an ugly lass, ay, but with yer modifications and such she be lookin ship-shape in no time!
Ay and a word t' the wise - the ATX specification removed the -5v from the most recent specifications, but there still be the -12 volt line. I be apologisin for this error, I had it in me head that it was the other way around. All the same, these lines had to be regulated by the psu as it is matey - if you bein't belivin me, go have a spy on the atx 2.2 specs here
Ye be right though - there be precious little t' gain from usin these lines, be that the mini be bootin' fine without the full voltage and all.
Ay, and fair thee well mateys! |
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Pleiades
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Joined: 14 Oct 2006
Posts: 3249
Location: California
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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Ahem. You sir, are a day early.
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MacBook Pro 1.83GHz Core Duo, 2GB RAM, 250GB HD, Dell 802.11n card, 1.4TB external
MacBook 1.83GHz Core Duo, 2GB RAM, 60GB HD
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toru173
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Joined: 04 Sep 2007
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Yar, but I be sailin to the east of Australia matey - it be the 19th o'er here! |
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Pleiades
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Location: California
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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Be careful of the international date line, matey. I hears they reset your clocks, and steal your grog!
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MacBook Pro 1.83GHz Core Duo, 2GB RAM, 250GB HD, Dell 802.11n card, 1.4TB external
MacBook 1.83GHz Core Duo, 2GB RAM, 60GB HD
iMac 1.83GHz Core Duo, 2GB RAM, 160GB HD, 1TB external, EyeTV Hybrid |
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toru173
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Joined: 04 Sep 2007
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Here there be dragons! |
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ArsenicPants
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Joined: 20 Sep 2006
Posts: 281
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject: |
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am i the only one who doesn't understand what's going on with this mini?
what's it connected to? |
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kaidomac
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Joined: 29 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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| ArsenicPants wrote: | am i the only one who doesn't understand what's going on with this mini?
what's it connected to? |
The Mac Mini is connected to a standard computer power supply instead of the white power brick it comes standard with. This lets you do case mods and run full-sized drives with the Mini using appropriate adapters without having power issues on the stock power system. |
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serpent
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Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Posts: 559
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:25 pm Post subject: |
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Be it true, me hearties:
yerrrr can Swaggy me mini.....
but I be No nay ne'er in gi'in' up me booty or grog....
wi' they be ye gettin' least t' bury me treasure.
saavy
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Lexicon
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Joined: 14 Jul 2007
Posts: 41
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| Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:04 am Post subject: Noise issue ? |
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Are you saying that I could NOT hook up a single SATA 3.5" HDrive to the Min because the Mini Power supply will not drive the 3.5" drive ?
Just looking for clarification.
Also, is there any way to get rid of the noise associated with those PC power supplies |
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toru173
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Joined: 04 Sep 2007
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 5:20 am Post subject: Re: Noise issue ? |
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| Lexicon wrote: | | Also, is there any way to get rid of the noise associated with those PC power supplies |
Use any number of the silent or near-silent power supplies availible on the market? I'm not sure if that was meant as a PC-bashing comment, but if you google "silent PSU" you get hundreds of hits. There are quite a few manufacturers wwho specialise in quite computing, some of which make completely fanless power supplies. I recommend the EF28 from Mcubed. 290W and NO moving parts! |
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serpent
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| Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:33 am Post subject: Re: Noise issue ? |
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| Lexicon wrote: | Are you saying that I could NOT hook up a single SATA 3.5" HDrive to the Min because the Mini Power supply will not drive the 3.5" drive ?
Just looking for clarification. |
I don't know if it's ever been said before, but since the 3.5" HDD runs offa 12v and not 5v, powering it from the "brick" or taping 12v from the motherboad would probably be a feat initsself.
again the purpose of this hack is mainly for case modders who want to toss the brick, run full sized drives, and power everything from 1-ATX PSU. Whether quiet, fanned, or fanless thats up to you.
_________________
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Ich bleibe einfach liegen
Und wieder zähle ich die Fliegen |
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