Rich's Liquid Linux Project... November, 2005
Liquid PC Site
So, I read about all these liquid-cooled, oil-bath PC projects online, and I'm thinkin' "I could use sumpthin like that " - so I went and built me one...
Turning out well, as it did, I just had to build another one. Let's see, we've got 5, no 6 Macs, one Liquid-immersed PC...Hmm, what else could one load as an OS?
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| Step 1: Ebay! (Again) |
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Another 1ghz micro HP desktop for less than $100. A local home decor shop had some really cool vases. Forty bucks. Ouch. I bought one.
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| Step 2: Find an OS. |
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Linspire offered a free license download of their OS. Sure, Linux purists won't think much of my choice, but it IS gonna be dunked in oil, afterall.
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Since it's the second one of these I've gutted, taking everything apart only took about 5 minutes this time around.
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| Step 3: Check the Fit: |
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Oops.
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A bit of trimming was necessary. I also got a low profile heat exchanger and fan. I know, I know, you don't need a fan with an air bubbler installed, but I like the idea of having something else moving around inside.
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| Step 4: Check for Leaks: |
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I was a bit more bold with this enclosure.
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... so I started with the mineral oil right away.
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| Step 5: Test drive |
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I plugged it all together and booted it up. |
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HooAhh! Liquid Linux Lives! |
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Pretty................. |
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You have to realize that if it looks like it's connected to the internet, the closest 10-year-old will gently push you aside and log on to his favorite flash game site.
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| Step 6: Admire your work |
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As on the previous liquid project, I arranged all connections towards the surface and mounted the hard drive on the back of the enclosure. |
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And I added a few lights. |
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The Liquid PC project has been running without any liquid-related shutdowns since the end of July 2005. Liquid temperature stays stable at about 98 degrees F. I have no reason to presume anything significantly different with this device.
Since this is a glass enclosure with silicone seams, I am curious as to the long-term effects of contact with mineral oil on the seams.
Better photos will be posted real soon. I have to clean off another spot on my desk.
I'll post updates as events warrant. |
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November 19 Update:
System has been up for a week now, no leaks, no power issues. I hooked up some speakers and tried the lSongs app that comes with Linspire. Looks and sounds pretty good. Got to get some more bubbler items, and a couple of effects lights.
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December 2nd Update:
System has been up and running continuously since the move into my office on the 20th of November. I got a new TV / Monitor combo and I'm working on a KVM setup to use the new monitor as a second Mac G5 display / Linux display / PC display (moved another box in under the desk today) and a video monitor to use while dumping analog tapes to digital for editing. Oh, yeah, there's a tuner in there too, might watch TV every now and then. HooAhh. |
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