Is this safe?

[EyeMWing]

I'm preparing this system for final deployment as a 24/7/365 router. However, there is one feature that concerns me... I'm pretty sure it'll be self evident in the picture.

Picture

Yea... Is it safe to run it in that "chassis" (A cardboard box for the dumb)?

System specs are:

AOpen AX59Pro
364mb IBM HDD, low RPM (not warm to the touch)
8mb EDO (64mb SDRAM is pictured however)
Cyrix MII266GP 266MHz Socket 7 CPU
Knockoff orb cooler
ToughPower 250w ATX PSU
2x Realtek 8019 10mbps NICs
Jaton Trident PCI
Sanyo floppy

 

[CoBRaXT]

wow you are hairy jk

anyways, yeah I think that setup would work since everything you have is pretty old and won't give off much heat.
i'm not sure if you should run it with the box closed though, unless you cut out a small blowhole at the top and place a fan there.

 

[mindwreck]

i wouldn't it be? as long as something on ur mobo doesn't get shorted when u accidently kick it.. but... seeing as u cable tied the stuff. there shouldnt be any problems

 

[huesmann]

That's funny

 

[Jeff7]

The only duct tape I see in the picture is being used as a label. What's up with that?????


Main thing that'd worry me would be heat, but none of those components are really big heat generators; the worst is probably the CPU of course. In my experience, old Cyrix's put out a good bit of heat for their day.

But maybe some duct tape over stuff like the HD and floppy drive (careful not to block any of the small vents/holes on the HD though, there are a few usually) and PSU to keep them from moving in the event of vibration or an impact.
Check a local computer shop for any old cases they might be junking. One near me had a full-size server case out for the trash once. I got some switches and a bunch of screws off of it, but the case itself went to a scrap metal place for recycling.

 

[EyeMWing]

Actually, the northbridge is hotter than the CPU. Unfortunately, I detected a foul scent of ozone while burning the system in, but was unable to localize the smell to any one component, so SOMTHING, god knows what, was shorting.

Pulled off the power supply, pulled off it's cover and have been running it at a much higher load than usual. The monitor's also been on for about 20 minutes, and isn't producing the smell either. So, apparently, somthing was shorting the mobo (Or I have some venting caps on the board). I ordered a case (Someone's modding practice, I'll probably end up covering a half dozen screwed up blowholes with duct tape) and that should be here within the week.

Err. Crap. Ozone smell detected, only component in operation is the monitor.

Monitor disconnected, scent gone. Monitor at fault. I guess I have a case for my Win2k3 evaluation box now.