Cleaning up a case...

[dmw16]

I need tips on tidying up my case. I tried rounded cables and they really didnt help, so now Im trying to fold up regular old flat cables. Ive used wire loom on the power cables so they are a little better, but still, they arent great. I see all these computers in magazines like maximum pc and they look perfect, but no one has ever explained hows its done. Does anyone have any tips or know of any good tutorials or how tos online?
thanks,
-doug

 

[VBboy]

LOL... just be creative. I wouldn't recommend folding IDE cables like they do in Maximum PC ads because it will damage the cable after doing it several times. I use rounded cables and castrated (hehe) non-rounded IDE cables for drives that are very close to the IDE controller. Use velcro for tying together large (power, etc) cables, and plastic cable ties ($7 for 1,000, dude! at NewEgg.com).

You don't really have to be able to let a cat run freely inside your case =) Just keep large/thick cables out of the way.

Last tip: you can usually suspend cables by attaching them to various parts inside the case with plastic cable ties. My power cables are all tied to the extra screw holes in the case.

 

[SnowPunk98]

I will write an article on this and post it on my website within the week. Keep checking it out itll be there soon www.ocmodshop.com

 

[Lizardman]

I used some good old electrical tape to clean up my ide cables a little bit. If you can make sure you dont have any overly long ide cables they are just a pain in the @ss to straighten up. I must agree with vboy just use you brain to hide and manipulate the cable the best you can. If you have some really long ones try taping them to the side of your case.

Have fun

Edit: Snowpunk the purple and grey must go Bleh>

 

[ChefJoe]

A lot of people are threading them around in strange places. Behind the motherboard tray, through a hole in the front so it can go under the platic front of the case (where you can't really see the wire from the inside). If you were to go that way I'd suggest looking for a fanbus (recent postings of how to make one with a radio shack project kit, you can also buy them for about $20 shipped... it's just a molex connector that goes into a unit that has like 4-5 pairs of snap-lock connectors (like on the back of speakers)). The fanbus allows you to run all sorts of internal fan wires that can be small tailed wires which are easier to thread through the case. As for the other cables, plastic ties, wrapping with the cable wraps that you'd find at pep-boys, and most importantly, putting cables in groups will make for a showroom finish.

Personally, I don't have a window so I haven't put that much time into it.

 

[jar5tyle]

Yea I need to get those rounded IDE cables. Mine are always in the way!

 

[Zim Hosein]

jar5tyle, you can pick up the rounded IDE cables at either www.buy.com or www.cyberguys.com . There are numerous other web retailers that sell these cables, so I'm sure other members will post links.

 

[dmw16]

I have rounded cables, but since I began using them my CD-RW drive has been giving me lost of problems. Maybe my standards are too high in terms of making my case look nice inside. But I spend all this money for what I think is a bad-a$$ system and I want it to look nice(for showing off at LAN parties mainly).
thanks,
-doug

 

[SnowPunk98]

I got my article up as I said in my previous post head on over and read it Tidy up your computer

 

[bearmeat]

how do you safely castrate an ide cable?