USB Relocation Mod
Since I don't care to have the door open on the front of my CNX to access the USB port, I decided to move it to the rear of the unit. Periodic upgradiing is OK from the front but to have a HDD or large capacity flash drive plugged in and flashing is annoying. The blue light mod is next. My kids think it's a night light.
So I removed the 5 screws that hold the cover down.Then I removed the 1 screw that locates the card reader and the 2 screws that hold down the face plate. I carefully seperated the face plate from the sheet metal frame and then removed the 5 screws that hold the nPCB to the plastic face plate.
Then I removed the grey wire from the main PCB and then the silver ribbon cable from the connector on the face plate PCB. Now I was able to work on the PCB without it being attached to the main frame.
I used a solder extracter to suck the solder from the pins that secure the USB to the PCB. I replaced the USB pins with a 12" piece of phone cord and reassembled the PCB to the face plate. There is a capacitor attached to pin 4 and I didn't want to relocate it. I replaced the 5 screws that hold the PCB to the face plate and re attached the assembly to the frame of the machine with 2 screws. Then I replaced the 1 screw that locates the card reader.
Now I needed a hole to relocate the USB port to the rear. I used a machine but a drill and file should work. Then I used a two part epoxy to secure the USB port in the sheet metal frame. I tailored the new wire close to the grey wire and soldered the wires in the same place as where i removed them from.
I started taking pictures and then the camera battery died so I will post the finished pics later. It is much easier to use a USB extension cable from the rear down to the HDD and also when I have a 5g stick in for power ram, I don't have to watch it flash.
I did try and paint the blue led with nail polish to cut down on the brightness but it didn't work. Finish pics when the battery charges.