Help with a Mac mod

[bgibbz]

So I have a broken 2009 iMac, and since it's not really worth a whole lot, I figured I may as well have fun with it. My plan was to hack it into a monitor and do a bunch of cool mods to the case, and at a later date when I have some more money (I'm only 16btw) I want to try to build a small itx computer inside of it. One of the first mods I wanted to do was to add rgb LED's to the two black Mac logos that are on the bottom and back of the machine. After tearing down the entire machine, I was able to pry out the Mac logo from the back using a screwdriver.

what would be the easiest way to reproduce this part using clear acrylic? The Apple part is cnced, but I do not have access to a CNC so is there another way I can easily do this? The logo on the bottom was much easier to deal with, as the plastic is already clear with black layer painted/ attached into it. I was able to sand it off with 150 grit sandpaper, and after I sand it with some higher grit sandpaper and buff it should look good.  

What would be the best type of LED's to use? Also, how would I power these LEDs? I have 120v going into the iMac through this part

 

, so what would be the easiest way to get that 120v to correct voltage needed for the LEDs?

 

thanks in advance,

 

bgibbz

[samiscool51]

upgardeing a mac is HARD....

very few things can be upgraded,

i do have a imac but it's to 20 inch and made in 2008, the only things i could upgrade and this the same for most macs is the hard drive and RAM

and for modding it to be a new monitor, you are out of luck the pin-out is different than a normal monitor and i think they use a different encryption method 

[bgibbz]

1 minute ago, samiscool51 said:

upgardeing a mac is HARD....

very few things can be upgraded,

i do have a imac but it's to 20 inch and made in 2008, the only things i could upgrade and this the same for most macs is the hard drive and RAM

and for modding it to be a new monitor, you are out of luck the pin-out is different than a normal monitor and i think they use a different encryption method 

I read a couple of online guides that recommended using something called a vga control board. https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/117066/Can+I+Mod+an+early+2009+24"+iMac+to+external+monitor

 

that was my primary source if information. I found a vga control board matching the model # of my display and I ordered on eBay for 25$. Should get here within a week or two. Il test it out then. 

[samiscool51]

ok, but don't be surprised if it does not work, apple components are VERY picky

[bgibbz]

2 minutes ago, samiscool51 said:

ok, but don't be surprised if it does not work, apple components are VERY picky

Yep. That is precisely why I hate working with macs, but the display is an lg display used in a variety of systems, not just macs. My plan is to gut everything that's Apple from the computer (which I have already done) and only use the lg display and the 3rd party controller in order to make the device function as a monitor. 

[samiscool51]

apple flash it with their own firmware, to prevent any one modifying their systems