v
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Part I: Basic Hacks, Tools, and Techniques
A Tour of My Toolbox 2
The Basics 3
1. How to Build a Portable Laptop Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Project Overview 16
Hardware Assembly Instructions 16
Project Demo 21
Extensions 21
Exhibit A: Bill of Materials 22
Exhibit B: Power Pack Schematic 23
2. How to Build an Aquarium Inside a Macintosh . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Project Overview 26
Hardware Assembly Instructions 26
Project Demo 42
Extensions 42
Exhibit A: Bill of Materials 44
3. How to Hack 802.11b Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Project Overview 46
Hardware Assembly Instructions for Recycled Can 802.11b Antenna 46
Hardware Assembly Instructions for Primestar Dish 802.11b Antenna 49
Exhibit A: Bill of Materials for Recycled Can 53
Exhibit B: Bill of Materials for Primestar Dish 53
4. How to Build a PC Water-Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Project Overview 56
Before You Start 56
Hardware Assembly Instructions 57
Project Demo 67
Extensions 67
Resources 69
Exhibit A: Bill of Materials 70
Contents
toc.indd 5
1/21/2002 12:19:24 PM
vi
Contents
5. How to Hack a Furby (and Other Talking Toys) . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Project Overview 71
Hardware Assembly Instructions 72
Software Setup Instructions 86
A Quick Overview of Assembly Language and C for the Hacked Furby 88
Project Demo 93
Extensions 93
How to Hack a Generic Talking Toy 94
Project Overview 94
Hardware Assembly Instructions 94
Project Demo 97
Extensions 97
Exhibit A: Furby Bill of Materials 98
Exhibit B: Talking Toy Bill of Materials 99
Exhibit C: Schematic for Building Your Own Board 100
6. How to Hack a Video Periscope for Your Car . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Project Overview 104
Hardware Assembly Instructions 104
Extensions 112
Exhibit A: Bill of Materials 114
Exhibit B: Schematic Diagram for Power Supply 115
Exhibit C: Schematic Diagram for RC Servo Driver 116
Part II: Advanced Hacks, Tools, and Techniques
How to Identify Resistor Values 118
How to Identify Capacitor Values 119
How to Identify Transistors 122
How to Identify Integrated Circuit and Component Packages 122
How to Identify Connectors 123
How to Read a Manufacturer’s Data Sheet 124
How to Use a Plug Board to Create a Simple Circuit 125
Summary 127
7. How to Build a Digital Video Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Project Overview 130
Hardware Assembly Instructions 130
Software Setup Instructions 131
Project Demo 134
Extensions 135
Exhibit A: Bill of Materials 137
Exhibit B: Dedicated IR Remote Control Support Files 138
8. How to Hack a Building-Size Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Project Overview 146
Small-Scale Hardware Assembly Instructions 146
Large-Scale Hardware Assembly Instructions 153
Software Setup Instructions 161
Project Demo 163
toc.indd 6
1/21/2002 12:19:24 PM
Get Hardware Hacking Projects for Geeks now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
