10/26/2025 2:27 PM - testing

made the basic cad for the box and set it 3d printing
decided that I'm going to make this configurable to work with any laptop
and just cut the plastic myself

10/26/2025 2:38 PM - got the computer part

tore apart an old HP 17z-ca200 to get the electronics inside
it doesn't have a bios battery so it will just have to stay plugged in
i'll probably wire up a usb hub that i have so it can be more durable

10/26/2025 9 PM - printing

started printing the case for the new computer.
Decided to use a pegs-based system to mount he board with the screws that it came with.
will need to do a lot of gluing.

10/31/2025 - glued

finished printing
tried hot glue but it dried too fast
used gorilla glue and it worked (the plastic was pla)
waited for it to dry (not included in time)
got the extremely sophisticated clamps off (a wad of tape)

11/2/2025 - cuting

cut the frame so that it had the holes for ports.
I chose to make it a solid frame that the user had to cut in order to make it work with more laptops than mine.
Caded the pegs for the screws to hole the board to the frame, I also made them glue-able so that they would work with any board.

11/4/2025 8 PM - finished

Got it glued together, and put the board in.
It is pretty bad, but it works.
the ssd is glued in, but that is because it lacks a longer cable and it wouldn't fit anywhere.
It boots I think

11/4/2025 9 PM - did the repo

I made the README and organized the files. Added sections about Printing, Assembly, and the BOM.
The BOM is really just a laptop and 3d filament. I've included both .step and .stl for printability. Also I included the link to the onshape.

12/24/2025 5 PM - wired up some rgb

well, since last time, I got a whole lot better at writing journals. So I'm not sure if this qualifies for tickets, because I already got some, but I'm doing it anyway.
what I've done is to take a usb port to wire to my esp32 on a breadboard. this is wired to some leds and running off of WLED

(btw, did this like last month)

12/24/2025 6 PM - cover

Now just a few days ago I went and bought some acrylic sheet
today I've dremeled it to the right size and shape to fit. Next I will build a plastic bracket to hold it in

1/4/2026 1 PM - designing a holder for the acrylic

I've designed this holder to help hold on the acrylic onto the front.
it hopefully allows the acrylic to be removable as well as holding firmly onto it. this would allow for repairs and mods later.

1/4/2026 3 PM - designed a wall mount

I designed a hook for mounting the box to a wall. Inspired by a picture frame holder, it allows for two to be glued to the back to hold it onto some screws in the wall.

1/4/2026 6 PM - added new plastic

I put on the plastic holder using super glue. now the acrylic can slide on and off, keeping dust and other things from hitting the board. I also put on the wall mount.

1/4/2026 7 PM - installed the Wi-Fi

I did this a few hours ago, but I had to connect the Wi-Fi cable and rout that around inside of the box. It didn't take too long, but it is an important step.

1/9/2026 9 PM - got ubuntu running

I put ubuntu on it, so it works
the wifi is working fine, which is unexpected, the antenna was shortened.
all systems seem to have made it.
unfortunately, it doesn't have a bios battery, but whatever.

1/9/2026 10 PM - fixed the github

I updated the BOM, the readme, and the cad folder to include new changes.
now the github displays a picture of it with the cover and rgb.
it also has the wall clips in the cad.