Update

When I started using this PC, I understood that it needs some modifications.

I often connect the peripheral in darkness (under the table, on the floor...), so I decided to make motherboard connectors highlight to light even when the PC is turned off. I used +5VSB (+5 Volt StandBy) signal of the PC's power supply. There is always +5V on this wire, when the power supply is connected to the AC outlet and the main power switch (on the rear panel) it turned on (even if the PC itself is turned off). I also installed a small switch on the panel with motherboard connectors to turn the highlight on/off.

Highlight switch

To make that, I also made a small circuit with two relays and placed it on the power supply. When the PC is turned off, the highlight uses +5VSB, when the PC is turned on, the highlight uses normal +5V.

Relay circuit

It is very useful feature. I just plug the power cable and the highlight lights. And it becomes very easy to connect other devices such as mouse, keyboard, sound cable etc.

As I planned this PC to be a mobile one, one more idea came to my mind. It is often in Russia that temperature outside is much lower than inside the buildings. Sudden temperature change from freezing to warm will cause water to condensate on cold surfaces. If water condensates on internal parts of the PC, it may cause some damage to electronics. So it is necessary to leave the PC in warm temperature for considerable amount of time. To shorten this period I installed a switch, allowing to turn on the biggest (80mm) fan when the PC is turned off, to ventilate the case and prevent water from condensation inside the PC or to hasten the moisture evaporation.

For the same purpose I needed something to indicate temperature inside the case. Unfortunately, I failed to find special digital LCD thermometer that is often used in foreign modding projects, but I found one suitable in car spare parts shop.

Universal digital LCD thermometer/clock

It has two sensors. One inside the body and one outside (at the end of the wire) and a switch — to display internal/external temperature. There is also Celsius/Fahrenheit switch on the back panel of it. It has a clock built in, but I did not plan to use it.

First I disassembled it to estimate how easy/hard it will be to fit this device in the PC case.

Thermometer - parts

I cut off battery room and left side with buttons. Then I installed the rest in to the PC case.

Front panel - new appearance

By the way — I replaced Reset button, now it is also red (the smaller one).

The thermometer is still powered by battery, but I placed it separately and connected by wires. It is designed to use one AAA battery and it was said one battery is enough for two years of working. I replaced it with AA battery. So it will work longer.

This is very useful that the thermometer works when the PC is turned off, because when I bring the PC from the outside, I can see the temperature inside it. So it is easy to decide — to turn on the PC now or let it warm up and use the fan.

The controls on the panel are unsigned because there is nothing here to make them of. I wished them to look like that:

After these additions I can say this PC is a really reflects my thoughts about mobile PC.

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