Optiplex GX620 - Dedicated SDR + SAT

[Analoguesat]

Awkward sod

(Actually the pic was really more for Llews reference)

 

[Analoguesat]

Some of the cards (especially the pci-e cards) do have the equivalent of the motherboard headers on them so you could cobble an extra point together internally using a seperate card that has the header socket fitted to go over the pins, so might be worth keeping an eye out for a pci version that does

 

[Vipersan]

Awkward sod

(Actually the pic was really more for Llews reference)

Yep awkward ...that me ..
The reason is that I _might_ try and install a TV dongle internally ...
Why not ??
I will then have SDR > TV>SAT ...all in one box..
lol
;)

 

[Vipersan]

Sorted the virtual cables I think ..using a h***** copy of the virtual cable software..
that sorted the 10 second pausing ..
rgds
;)

 

[Vipersan]

This larger GX case may well have a suitable space under the CD drive and above the relocated hard drive ...
There is a removable front plate where a floppy drive could locate ...
This may well become a same harbour for the SDRplay ...
we shall see..
;)

 

[Analoguesat]

Does the motherboard have the header pins on it for extra usb connections?

If so this could be lashed in somewhere:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-Port-Female-Plate-Adapter/dp/B00015Y0FK/ref=pd_bxgy_147_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1TFAWMJBCJ6WNAYZGVSA

 

[Vipersan]

...and YES the original SDRplay plastic case is really under there ...
lol
trapped between the CD drive and the Hard Drive

 

[Vipersan]

Does the motherboard have the header pins on it for extra usb connections?

If so this could be lashed in somewhere:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-Port-Female-Plate-Adapter/dp/B00015Y0FK/ref=pd_bxgy_147_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1TFAWMJBCJ6WNAYZGVSA

Sadly not AS ...
Dell dont use conventional connects or cables ...all proprietory ...which makes the task that bit more difficult..
lol

 

[Analoguesat]

Thats a shame - but for future reference as it might come in useful in the future and it would have been an elegant solution here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-Pin-9-Pin-Motherboard-to-2-Ports-USB-2-0-A-Female-Internal-Header-Adapter-/281281202819

(and might still come in useful if we can find a low profile pci card with the header pins on it)

 

[Analoguesat]

Ok how about the single internal port card and one of these?? Its tiny and will fit easily in the case somewhere!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trust-Port-USB-Mini-Laptop/dp/B000FS12IG

or

http://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-4-Port-Ultra-Mini-Bus-powered/dp/B003M0NURK/ref=pd_cp_147_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0F5F4AGKMR9JFW0AM7QF

 

[Analoguesat]

I have to admit personally Im not a huge fan of sff (small form factor) & half height computers. They are all very well for squeezing into small spaces but they can be a bugger to work on.

Two members of our staff need extra usb points over & above the 6 already fitted on their computers (2 front 4 rear, 3 of which are taken up by the mouse, keyboard & smartboard connections)

The mobos are so small they dont have any expansion slots at all so we end up with external hubs hung off the front & back - then someone unplugs something they shouldnt to plug a memory stick in and I end up being called down to trace all the ruddy wires and get everything working again! Its a pita at times - as invariably the teacher needs that file off the disconnected external drives NOW.

Ive got a full sized case and when I ran out I found an old usb card in the spares pile & slotted it in - job done once and tickety boo!

 

[Vipersan]

Ok ..
not low profile but extremely cheap ....
Looks like they are milking the low profile thing to the tune of about £20 ..
It will take a while to arrive ..but I can wait.
1*pcs 5 Port USB 2.0 High-Speed 480Mbps PCI Controller Adaptor Card Hub Module

If you look at the design of this card ...it should be easy to remove the standard metal mount and engineer it in ..cutting and removing the top 2 ports off the pcb.
possiby even reversing some of the ports to point inward ..
at £2 I'm happy to try ..and that's 5 ports for £2...
F*** you StarTech
lol

 

[Channel Hopper]

Awkward sod

(Actually the pic was really more for Llews reference)

I feel as though the world just passes me by.............................

 

[Channel Hopper]

Found one, but not low profile. Will keep looking.

 

[2cvbloke]

It's a shame you picked a Dell, with their annoying use of proprietary connectors for the USB it makes expansion a lot harder than it should be, my Lenovo m57e SFF (presently used as a media server and IP Cam NVR) has two USB2.0 headers on the motherboard, one occupied by the front USB sockets, but the other header is spare, and they're standard pin headers, so could probably use something like this inside the case:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261529641115

There are others which are a PCB with two USB sockets on, great for use with USB sticks for USB-booting something, but probably not a good idea to use for something on the end of a wire as it could get snagged and damage the motherboard...

 

[Vipersan]

It's a shame you picked a Dell, with their annoying use of proprietary connectors for the USB it makes expansion a lot harder than it should be, my Lenovo m57e SFF (presently used as a media server and IP Cam NVR) has two USB2.0 headers on the motherboard, one occupied by the front USB sockets, but the other header is spare, and they're standard pin headers, so could probably use something like this inside the case:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261529641115

There are others which are a PCB with two USB sockets on, great for use with USB sticks for USB-booting something, but probably not a good idea to use for something on the end of a wire as it could get snagged and damage the motherboard...

I didn't choose the Dell really ..
It chose me ...on account it was so inexpensive ..plus it had to be compact ...I simply haven't got room for another tower or desktop that is mini or full sized..
I am more than happy with it's performance ...but we all know DELL can be a PITA when it comes to proprietory fixtures and fittings..
rgds
VS

 

[Channel Hopper]

Have a gander Evan.

 

[Vipersan]

Have a gander Evan.

Certainly they look low enough to be fitted without the backplate ...thus making it possible to loop a cable back inside the PC ..
Perhaps not a permanent solution but may well serve as a temporary one..

...at least till the one I ordered from China arrives ..
Do you want to part with the shortest height one ? (pcb that is)
rgds
Evan

 

[Channel Hopper]

Certainly they look low enough to be fitted without the backplate ...thus making it possible to loop a cable back inside the PC ..
Perhaps not a permanent solution but may well serve as a temporary one..

...at least till the one I ordered from China arrives ..
Do you want to part with the shortest height one ? (pcb that is)
rgds
Evan

I can part with any of them, bear in mind they only have two USB outlets each, neither of them are internal. Iwas gong to look at another box of components in the shed later tonight as there may be some other boards in there, more suitable to your needs

 

[Vipersan]

No probs Stephen ..Ill leave it up to you and your search ...
If you find one with an internal usb connection of similar height all the better ..
If not at least you have one that will do a temporary job for me..
cheers.