No, Legos can't compute, but you can build a Lego Computer. I had assorted computer parts but no case for them. I also had a few thousand legos. So I decided to build a computer case from the legos.

Step 1: Lay Out All Parts of Computer

I inventoried all of my computer parts to make sure I wasn't missing anything important. I had a CD drive, a diskette drive, a motherboard, a hard drive, a power supply and all cables needed to connect them. I also had a mouse, keyboard and monitor.

Step 2: Lay Out Lego Parts

First, I layed out the parts for the base. I used large flat pieces to build the base and I mapped out approximately where each computer part would fit.

Step 3: Assembly - Step 1

First, I placed the motherboard leaving about an inch around all sides to build the walls of the computer case. Next, I placed the hard drive to the right of and perpendicular to the mother board. To the right of the the hard drive I placed the CD drive, then the diskette drive.

Step 4: Assembly - Step 2

Next, I connected the power supply and the ribbon cables to all of the pieces I had placed.

Step 5: Assembly - Step 4 - Making the Case

I started off by using large rectangular lego pieces to build the walls around the computer parts. I built one row at a time all the way around making sure that CD and diskette drives could open properly. Once I got to the top of building the case, it was time to build over the CD and diskette drive. Since they were different sizes it was difficult to hold them in place. You need to experiment with which is way best for you depending upon the size of the drives you are using.

Step 6: Finishing

The last step is setting the power supply on top of the motherboard with the extra lengths of ribbon cables and other cables between them acting as a cushion. Also, make sure the power cord plug is on top and accessible. Lastly, begin building the top. Again use large flat pieces where possible. Do not cover the top of the power supply and double check to make sure all other plugs such as keyboard, monitor and mouse are also accessible. Now all that left is hooking up all of the pieces and hoping it works.

Step 7: Notes

1. A problem I had was that the ribbon cables for the diskette and CD drives would fit in either direction. Make sure they are connected properly before enclosing because disassembling the legos to correct the problem is a real pain.

2. I left the fan out of my project because there wasn't enough room. If you don't add the fan, I don't recommend leaving the computer running for more than 20 minutes because it might overheat.

3. If you look at the image attached to this step you'll notice that I did not complete the wall where everything is plugged in so that you could see how I did it.