Ode to the "Bluecube"

On my quest to put as much of the best stuff as possible in this computer, I've started to order things from my list.


One of the parts that I was most concerned with, was how I'm going to make the AT keyboard talk to the netbook's motherboard. The obvious solution, is some kind of adapter that will convert the signals from the AT keyboard into USB.

Being that there isn't any (That I could find) direct AT to USB converter, the next choice is an AT to PS/2 converter into a PS/2 to USB converter!

After many hours of google searches and forum hunting, there is one little piece of hardware that clearly stands above all.

Enter: The "Bluecube".

The "Bluecube" PS/2 to USB converter is almost a legendary device. People swear by its broad range of compatibility with AT keyboards. I certainly hope it lives up to its reputation!

Basically, the plan is to crack this little baby open, and solder it directly to the back of the AT input. I'll also be soldering the USB side directly to the netbook's motherboard.
This will keep the oldschool AT look, and also allow for other AT keyboards to be plugged into the front of the Portable III. Or if I ever need to replace it with another OEM Compaq Portable III
keyboard, its just plug and play!

Theres a shot of the "Bluecube" opened up. Once the PS/2 port, and the USB plug are stripped off, it should make for a tiny installation! Excellent!

Before it arrives....

So... Where to begin?

I guess we can start with the skim milk version of my story...
My name is Matt. I'm 29 years young.
I guess I'm a self taught computer hardware hacker of sorts.
I hail originally from Niagara Falls Ontario, have passed through such places as our nations capital, Ontario's capital, and most recently Vancouver B.C.
I work full time as a Resident Manager for a major property management company in the downtown west end of Vancouver.


I've had my elbows deep into computer hardware as far back as I can remember. Starting with a trusty Commodore 64. Moving onto the x86 scene not far after that. Always cutting, modding and soldering anything I could get my hands on.
I was deep into the Original XBOX modding scene in the early 2000's and still find myself buying, and hacking the versatile hardware to this day.

But one thing I enjoy the most, Is putting my mark on various electronics I own.

I frequently visit the HackADay website (sometimes as often as once every hour or so) and there are a few projects that have graced those pages which really grease my wheels.

Recently, a post caught my eye and sparked my imagination! Some guy, who goes by "AUTUIN" found a very cool little lugger computer from the late 80's and modified it so it could be used in the modern age. Upon examining his blog, and a google image search of the retro hardware, It reminded me of a computer I saw in the movie "Hackers" from 1995. "Dade" the main character in the movie, had a lugger computer that he used for various (obviously fake) Hollywood awesomeness.
I always thought that lugger computer was the coolest thing in the world! but never really got overly inspired to buy one before.

Until now!

I hopped on eBay about 8 and a half minutes after reading AUTUIN's blog and purchased my very own Compaq Portable III 286 lugger!
I think that this computer would be something that I would use all the time! Unfortunately, being a 286, its pretty useless for my needs.

So this build log is born!

The plan is to COMPLETELY GUT the chassis of the Portable III, and replace it with modern hardware!
The screen will be replaced with the complete guts of an N550 based netbook, screen and all.

The chassis will house a large capacity hard drive, and a slot loading DVD burner, which will be hidden behind the facia of the original 5.25" floppy drive!
Also perhaps some networking gear. Like a DDWRT capable router, and a class 1 bluetooth module.

The keyboard will be left untouched. I enjoy the clickity click of a retro keyboard.
The mouse will be a vintage compaq mouse which will also be gutted and retrofitted with wireless bluetooth tech.

So thats the plan! Hope to have some interested parties with they're eyes glued to my blog!

Can't wait to start!
See you all in the upcoming weeks!