83 replies to this topic

[ivc]

Hi,

This has been my little project the last couple of weeks. A massive internal modification to my Eee 4G.

It includes the following:

● 2x USB hubs
● Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
● GPS module with antenna
● Voyager GT 4 GB flash drive
● SDHC card reader
● FM transmitter
● Draft-N wireless adapter with a third antenna from a Wii.
● Everything connected via a dip switch

It's quite weird that Asus decided to leave that much free space unused in the Eee. The Eee could be slimmer and thinner if they really wanted to.

Anyhow, let the pictures tell their story. I've created a Wiki page with all the nitty gritty details.

● Eee Internal Upgrades Wiki page

Pictures:

USB hubs

The first USB hub mounted next to the memory bay:



Second USB hub over SSD drive:




GPS

GPS DIY kit from Ebay stripped down to only the necessary parts:



GPS antenna mounted on the left-side of the display. I had to remove 4 plastic stubs to make it fit:



GPS module mounted over the ethernet and audio chip:




Bluetooth

Bluetooth adapter mounted under the GPS antenna on the left side, for good reception:




SDHC card reader

SDHC card reader placed over the wireless adapter:



But kicker is that there is a gap in the memory expansion bay to fit a SDHC card that can actually be removed after the machine is put together again:



Sideview:




Flash drive

Fast Voyager GT 4 GB flash drive used as a second OS boot drive. The controller is from Silicon Motion, the same vendor as the SSD-drive, and uses the same type of NAND flash chips as well:



Flash drive mounted on top of the wireless adapter:

http://imgboot.com/i...rivemounted.jpg


FM transmitter

FM transmitter to wireless transfer audio the any FM radio in the vicinity of 5 meters. Should be great for roadtrips:

http://imgboot.com/i...mitterfront.jpg

FM transmitter mounted nicely in the space between the DC-jack and ethernet/modem-ports. Ttight space, many wires. Wires for audio, antenna, power and buttons to change frequency (buttons in expansion bay):

http://imgboot.com/i...nsmittertop.jpg


802.11n wireless adapter

New Intel draft-N 300 MHz wireless adapter:

http://imgboot.com/i...wifimounted.jpg


Power switch

I don't like to trust the USB devices to conserve energy when they're idle. Therefore I've installed a DIP switch in the expansion bay to make it easy to switch off the devices I don't use. The power switch is mounted with double-sided foam tape and can easily be moved to remove the RAM module if needed. For power and ground 26 AWG and signal 30 AWG Tefzel insulated wires (from Habia). Multi-stranded wires for the audio cables.

http://imgboot.com/i...erswitchbay.jpg


Overview

This is the complete installation. Showing the bottom of the motherboard were most of the free space can be utilized.

http://imgboot.com/i...boardbottom.jpg

Top view of the display and top motherboard without the front panels. FM transmitter and third draft-N antenna on the right.

http://imgboot.com/i...iewcomplete.jpg

For a few more detailed pictures, check the wiki page mentioned above.

I summarized the costs and it turned out to be 454.38 USD - including 2 GB RAM upgrade, 8 GB SHDC card, and shipping to Europe, details on the wiki page.

Future projects include desoldering the NAND flash chips and install new chips taken from Voyager GT flash drives, install HSDPA 3.6 Mbit/s modem in expansion bay, new custom made copper cooling elements, and probably some smaller tweaks to the current mods.

Hope you enjoyed my little shenanigans. :)

Edited by ivc, 26 December 2007 - 02:54 PM.

[peter_was_here]

there aren't even words to describe how awesome this is! could you run a test with everything on to see how it hits battery life?

[Johnx]

All hail ivc! Amazing, no other words to describe this.

[vvlist]

Are you running Linux with these mods? If so, does it all work?

[pingu]

Hi and well done. Thats a whole lotta hacks, neatly done.

[marcoeee]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Oh my...
Seems cheap and chic!

How much did consumption and weight grow?

Now u need just infrared usb, fingerprint reader, sim reader, portable printer inside. touchscreen, hspda 3G modem, and it's ready for next 007 movie.

This is a complicated work, but still one of most accurate and polished. U r great!

Go on like that!
ciao ;)

[TeamMCS]

Thats really impressive, may I ask, what wiring did you use?

[pvillasuso]

Insane ! WTF ! I`m Very impressed !

Congrats.. just add a touchscreen , and you`re all done ! Hehe

Awsome dude !.. wish I had the balls and knowledge to do something like that !

Clean & Nice hack !

[Haku]

Ever since I started looking into the Eee and then ordering one shortly afterwards I've been looking forward to the numerous hacks & mods people will do to these because they're so cheap for what they are.

I have to say I'm quite astounded that you've managed to fit so many extra devices into the thin shell of the Eee, excellent work, and at the rate of hackings, it seems about once or twice a week someone posts here with reportings of soldering wizardry often with new variations on the previously reported mods or new devices implimented.

I will get round to modding this Eee one day, but stil trying to work out what I want to mod it with! a 16gb fast flash drive is definitely going to be added, but after that I can't think what else I'd want.

[Neodudeman]

That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen.

How'd you make everything so pristine and clean looking? The wires you used seemed like they were made Specifically for your mod.

This is the most impressive thing I've ever seen. Everything just worked out Great! To be honest, I'm a little jealous of your Asus. lol. I would love the advanced simplicity and beauty of your computer, but alas, I must settle for externally attached peripherals.

[Kermee]

HOLY SMOKES! That is just AWESOME! I'm speechless. Kudos!

Cheers,
Kermee

[Fluffywings]

Wow. Other then this sentence I am speechless.

[gospeed.racer]

That is truely a work of art, and something all of us can use as a benchmark. Kudos!

[Elddric]

There are some posts that are eh... there are others that deserve proper praise. This is one of those. This post is a great collection of ideas. I samefully claim that I WILL be useing a few of these as my own.

<bowing>
I am not worthy, I am not worthy!
</bowing>

Thank you for insparation and for instructions for those of us always looking for new ways to mod. I also praise you for listing all those other great moders who's knowladge you used in your wiki page. Props to all the great info out here and to the people who provide it!

Edited by Elddric, 23 December 2007 - 04:23 AM.

[nicolasg]

Excellent work, especially on the wire routing.

The only addition I can possibly imagine, moving the power control dip switches to a software controllable solution.
tristad (http://forum.eeeuser...pic.php?id=3735) did it using the SMbus and PCF8574 I/O expander. (under linux)

[Jon Bradbury]

Yes, the wire routing is well thought out and neatly executed.

I have a slight concern about airflow when the fan is on. Have you been monitoring the temperatures?

[hollander172]

I'm very interested in the performance of the GPS receiver. Nice to see the antenna fits in the screen casing.

[angel eyes]

that is amazing!

[marcoeee]

Quote

How much did consumption and weight grow?

ciao ;)

[Jama]

I think what others have said is what i am about to say, ill say it anyway though.

<awe> This has got to be the most advanced, usefull and cleanest mod yet (In my opinion). </awe>

Lol well great job, waiting for your next mod :D

Jama

Edited by Jama, 23 December 2007 - 05:00 PM.