BLANKO

I completed the NAS box / cd ripper after a few problems, most notably a defective PicoPSU that delayed assembly for a week. The replacement unit is working fine. I needed to drill 2 holes in the case to attach the replacement Pico PSU 90 power supply but luck was on my side as I already had the hardware on hand after rummaging through some bins. My biggest headache for now is the software for the Intel N-6235 WiFi card. I can not get it to load the full featured My WiFi Dashboard with the Hotspot option, instead it loads the Lite version which is absolutely useless. Time will tell if Intel will fix this. The Pics show how I mounted the Pico PSU, a switch to turn off the 2 WD Green drives, and both Power adapters connected. I did not have to drill a hole for the addition adapter input connector as the Lian Li case came with one between 2 sets of vents. The whole thing is very quiet with the exception of the DVD burner.

Some pics of the Lian Li case and EX-H22 mounted in the power supply opening, I decide to go with a Pico PSU 80 and 60 Watt Brick after some more research. Cheers, Blanko

I building a Intel DN2800MT combination NAS box / CD ripping machine to supply my music server. By happenstance I have a Lian Li PC-Q07 case and found that a LIAN LI EX-H22 HDD Expansion Kit would fit in the the power supply opening of the Q07 case. The Specs on the motherboard state that no more than 26 watts max to be connected to the internal SATA power header so it looks like I need a separate power supply for the DVD burner and additional drives. I intend to connect the following to the motherboard. 1 Samsung 840 SSD, 2 WD 1.5 terabyte green hard drives, 1 WD 2 terabyte red hard drive, 1 LiteOn DVD burner, a wifi/ blue tooth 4.0 half card, a dual ESATA PCI express card and another Esata express slot card. I have a 60 watt power brick connected to the motherboard and would like to have the burner and 2 of the WD green hard drives on a separate power supply, I am thinking that a Pico PSU might work fine with a switch connecting the the green and black wires on the motherboard connector. The burner and 2 WD green HDs would be connected to the ESATA ports and switched in during CD ripping and back up of the WD Red HD. I will be using Win 8 operating system and dbpoweramp for the ripping of cds. I know that this isn't the most economical means of achieving the end result but there it is.The SSD drive is there just for more flexibility in the future. My question being: 1. Does anybody see any reason that this will not work ? 2. A better solution to powering the 2 WD greens and DVD burner ? 3. I am thinking of 80 to 120 watt Pico PSU and a 60 to 100 watt brick, any recommendations here would be helpful. Cheers, Blanko

I overlooked the fact the the motherboard has a PCI express mini-port so no modification of the case is needed. This will accommodate combination WiFi / Bluetooth 4.0 mini card but here the information gets sparse, what would be the communication protocol of choice, especially for one as paranoid as myself (I live in the U.S.A., it is an acquired trait) I did find some small touch screen monitors but they seem to lack support for win8, are vague on the cabling requirements and the screen resolution and color seem to be less then desired. I began to look for a ideal controller, an iPod touch 5th gen seems ideally sized for the job but then the Samsung Galaxy Tab2 7" has an IR blaster that may be able to reduce the amount of remotes lying around and can be had for $170.00. Still I would have to remember to charge them frequently. I can see why no one is enthused about the choices available, I like the Sonos 200 controller with its cradle for charging, a pity that it is a closed system. If anyone knows of a wonder device please let me know. Blanko

Hi Folks, I am in the midst of building a Zuma server (Windows 8 + Jriver 18) for music only but would like to know what options I have for a dedicated controller. I will be shutting down the server when not in use. I am considering a new Ipad or Ipod for this role but have never owned one. My connection to the internet is through DSL and as I have several computers, an upstares one on where my router is located and where I do my banking and main work, a downstares one for HTPC work recording tv and watching movies and now this one just for music. For security reasons I disabled the WiFi on my DSL router.The single slot in my HDPlex H5s case will be occupied by the SOtM USB card and would require modification to install a WiFi card. I am not sure if a USB WiFi or Bluetooth transceiver would affect sound quality. Since the Zuma will be connected to the ethernet for downloads, I would like to brick wall it from ever communicating with the upstairs computer. I know of no small unobtrusive touchscreen monitor that would work. So a small unobtrusive secure means of controlling the Zuma without endangering my main computer or negating the sound quality of the Zuma. Any Ideas?