Once again, not a good day!!! Came back from work and Sim Lim Tower and came across two setbacks, but nothing I can't handle, of course!!! First stop, the side panel itself. As most of HX08 owners would know, the case employes a slide out side panels design. Most case also incorporates this idea, but the problem with the Aopen case is that you have to slide the panels ALL THE WAY to the end in order to remove it. With fans being planned to be installed there, it might prevent the panel from sliding in when trying to close it. The pictures below will give you a better explaination. It might not have been a problem if you're not installing blowholes there, though.

Slide out side panel design of the HX08.		The "grooves" that slides onto the case structure.

It took me quite a while to come with a solution. I even thought of replacing the whole side panel with a large Plexi!! Both the top and bottom of the side panel has these so-called "grooves". Then, an IDEA!!! I opened up my In-Win Q500 tower, looked at the side panel and BINGO!!! All I have to do is to use a pair of pliers and bend the top "grooves" so that I do not have to slide the panel from all the way back anymore! Confused?? So am I!!! Nevermind, I will post the pictures of the mods tomorrow, after cutting the side intake holes.

The grooves clamps onto the inside of the case structure.		Another pic illustrating this locking effect.

The second setback is the hole saw itself. Looking at the pics below, you will find that the mandrel for the hole saw is a tad larger than the largest opening allowed by the drill chuck!!! DAMN!!! I was really looking forward to using this baby!!! With it, I should be up and running within 10 minutes!!! Oh well, back to the trusty old Dremel, I guess!!!

Drill chuck half way opened.		Fully opened and still can't get the hole saw mandrel to fit!!!

Using the same technique for the previous 2 holes, I set about marking the holes for the side panel. The bottom hole had been aligned so that it blows on the last 3 or 4 slots on the mobo. The top hole will cover the rest, including the hot AGP Slot. An OEM Matrox Millennium G400 Single-Head with 32MB of RAM awaits the cool breeze!!! :O)

Marking of side panel holes with fan grill.		The completed markings

Another glorious view before the operation!!

Having a little time, I decided to take some pics of the PSU units. Pretty standard stuff. Aopen 300W with Noise Killer. Huh?? It really can kill noise?? Anyway, came across this connector. Looks like the old AT Power connector found in older systems with an AT mobo. But why only one side?? If memory serves me correctly, AT connectors come in a pair, right?? Anyone who can explain this to me?? Please?? :O)

Aopen 300W PSU w/ Noise Killer		6 Female MOLEX Connector
2 Floppy Power Connectors		The ATX Power Connector

AT Connector??? But why only one side???

That about sums up the day.......it's 11 p.m. now, can't possibly start hacking away at the panels or I'll find myself with some explaining to do to the cops!!! Till then..........

Day 6............Final Ops >>