Posted by: MAC USER Jul 14 2006, 02:12 AM

Built-in Audio Reset Programmer

Please make sure of what you are doing. You could damage your Cube. Of course I can't be responsible for that.

Notes:
You will loose your Guarantee with this procedure
You will loose access to a precious programmer's button from outside the Cube (You can still mount it inside the Cube and use it with the core out of the case when you are programming)
You will loose access to a precious reset button from ouside the Cube (If you are using this one frequently you should consider troubleshooting your Cube)
You will loose some space between HD and Optical Drive
You will have a Built-in Audio In port (1 - 3.5-mm analog input jack)
You will have a Built-in Audio Out port (1 - 3.5-mm analog output jack)
You will still be able to use the original USB speakers

Parts needed:
1 USB hub with 1 port free inside your Cube
1 USB external sound card (I used the GriffiniMic)
2 stereo microphone extensions at least ~35-cm long each (3.5-mm plug and 3.5-mm jack)
(optional) 2 jack connectors 3.5-mm with different plastic colors

Note: If you don't have the internal USB hub yet, do this

( http://cubeowner.com/kbase_2/index.php?article=289 )

1 Take apart the Cube.

2 Remove the RAM memory.

3 Remove the programmer and reset button's board.



4 Shorten the 2 stereo microphone extensions about ~35-cm long each.



5 Mount the USB sound card where you can between the Optical drive and the HD. I taped it to the aluminum structure.



6 Take the cables around the side of the main board thru the bottom of the cube passing next to the fan to the space between the Optical drive and the HD.



7 Cut the plastic from the jack to have the exact diameter and insert them (applying some pressure) to secure them directly to the metal structure.



8 Connect everything.

Have Fun!




Well if you are not so convinced about the final aesthetic appearance of your loved Cube, continue!

Note: You will need the optional 2 jack connectors 3.5-mm. (I disconnected the blue and black jacks from an old speaker)

9 Carefully disassemble the programmer and reset button's board and take apart the plastic mechanism.



10 Insert the jack connectors to the blue plastic. (They are exactly the perfect size! well maybe you will have to sand them a little bit but make sure that they get in there very tightly)



11 Cut the cables (keep the plug's side of the extensions with cable about ~35-cm long each) and solder the wires to the new jack connectors.



12 Mount the new assembly to the core. (You can use two dots of super-glue at the sides, but not in the rounded area! or you can custom make an aluminum piece to hold the new assembly to the original screw)



13 Put the icons.



14 Go to step 8