• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Blistering Hot! for Case Modders!! 20 X 4 Backlit LCD at BGmicro $12.95

Ziptar

Ziptar

Platinum Member
B.G. Micro 20x4 LCD With LED Back Light for $12,95. No serial controller but, So what. Wire up to a parallel port. Easy and Cheap. Instructions HERE!, just use an old printer cable. I put one of these in my server a few month back, awesome big backlit LCD for ~ $20.00 when it was done minus the bezel. I varied from the wiring schematic by putting 10k potentiometer in to adjust the backlight brightness, and a 100 Ohm potentiometer in to adjust contrast. Schematic for the backlight wiring and another good LCD article Here

Here is a couple of pics of my server just to fire you up. What I started with the server After I was done. a side shot.and The LCD in the Dark

It is really easy to solder up just follow the instrutions on the page linked above then install port95nt followed by LCD Center. and your done. I run mine interfaced to Motherboard monitor. It's sweet! Diplays System Temps, Stats, CPU usage, diskspace, time, a ton mre.

It's so cheap and easy this is HOT!

This software might be good too, but I haven't tried it yet

More good LCD info
 
I bought one of these from them a while back. I wired it all up based on that exact article. I even tested the voltages before I installed it to make sure they weren't too high. The first one didn't work and they sent me a replacement that didn't work either. (They flashed on and then nothing...)

I'm probably an idiot and messed something up, but just an FYI...
 
Originally posted by: xtasy
Sounds good if i knew what i was doing. But as a case modding newbie, sounds too hard to do.
Click to expand...

Don't sell yourself short. This was my first mod, It's easy, the soldering is not that difficult and you just need a dremel to cut the case.
 
I bought two of these....got them, wired it up, never could get it working under Unix..fought with it under win 2k..finally got it working after some parallel port direct control software was used. Anyhow, it never worked correctly, and I've never had the time to fool with them again. It's pretty easy to wire them up..just they are touchy...and I blew a few resistors doing it...you have to buy a few things (resistors, molex connections, parallel port male end, etc)...it's good...and if they worked right..it'd be awesome.
 
Originally posted by: MrEnigma
I bought two of these....got them, wired it up, never could get it working under Unix..fought with it under win 2k..finally got it working after some parallel port direct control software was used. Anyhow, it never worked correctly, and I've never had the time to fool with them again. It's pretty easy to wire them up..just they are touchy...and I blew a few resistors doing it...you have to buy a few things (resistors, molex connections, parallel port male end, etc)...it's good...and if they worked right..it'd be awesome.
Click to expand...


Hmm, try instaling Port95nt and LCDcenter. I am running it under win2k just fine, however the account that runs port95nt/lcdcenter has to a local admin. Something about 2k limiting access to the parralel port( I read why but I can't remeber the details..)


As far as poping resistors try the pots, they worked for me first time.
 
It's because windows cannot access the parallel port directly unless other software is used....plus you have to have the parellel port settings in bios setup just right. I got mine working...but still had problems with a few lines of the display either holding or not displaying right....probably my bad wiring.
 
ziptar..
you links inspired me.. i picked up a 2x16 LCD with backling in toronto for $15 CAD ... and used your links for the wiring.. got port95nt and lcd smartie and it's up and running 20mins later...
it was my first mod and it was not very difficult at all...
i don't have webspace or i would put up pics..

thanks for the links.
 
Originally posted by: Kaiser__Sose
ziptar..
you links inspired me.. i picked up a 2x16 LCD with backling in toronto for $15 CAD ... and used your links for the wiring.. got port95nt and lcd smartie and it's up and running 20mins later...
it was my first mod and it was not very difficult at all...
i don't have webspace or i would put up pics..

thanks for the links.
Click to expand...


Cool! It's really not that hard. Enjoy!
 
good deal 🙂 the mod isn't hard, you just need to solder the right wires to the right connectors on the LCD. install the software and you're set.
 
Heh, I wish... That's 29c (Celcius). The fans I added to the case (3 total cant see the one behind the faceplate) keep it really cool, there is a 120MM fan blowing out right over the CPU's so they pretty much stay at ambient temps. Also they are just PIII's..
 
Pretty cool. A couple years ago, a friend gave me a 2x20 Matrix-Orbital display w/ serial controller, bezel, etc. I didn't realize how much those things cost new! WTF!

I used it for a cool project for my Application Server class. Basically, the only rules for the project was that it had to be 2-tiers or more (client-server, client-server-db, etc), and that you had to initiate a connection between the two and send data. Most people just did "OK, I connect to a database and add/remove/query data. Borrrring.

I wrote a VB app (took like 15 minutes, too!) that listened for a TCP connection, received a buffer of character data, opened the serial connection to the LCD and dumped the data onto the display.
Then I wrote a quickie client that calls up the server and gives it the data.

On presentation day, I set my webcam up in my dormroom focused on the display and set it to say something like "App Servers Final Project" or some such. I put the client on a floppy and marched to class. I brought up the web page with the web cam view, pattered briefly about finding databases dull and preferring something more functional, explained the way it worked. Then I loaded the client with the webcam shot right next to it, explained how if all goes according to plan, the text that I send from the client will appear on the LCD in the webcam image.
I typed in "This should prove it!" clicked "Send"
et voila! Much to everyone's amazement, it did appear in the web cam window.

I'm doing both myself and the guy who gave it to me a disservice by not using it! I'm going to go fire that puppy up. I'd get one of these, b/c it's bigger, but I know among all my other "projects" I'll probably never get around to wiring up the interface for it.
 
Originally posted by: richrz
Now if only I could find one of these with the light blue back lighting...
Click to expand...

Couldn't you replace the LED's on the green? How is the LCD lighted? I'm sure it's possible, cause my friend's Panasonic cell phone lights up in green, blue, red, and yellow.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top