game console

[thomas_surles]

Hello I just took a laptop completely apart and got rid of all the unnecessary plastics, keyboard, mouse pad, and even the cd drive.
Just to get it to the bare bones. The screen was already broken.

My plan is to build a new enclosure for it to make a home console for my brother and his family.

It will be running hyperspin or maximus arcade front end will most consoles up to the ps1. (Not good enough for ps2 gamecube)
The controllers will just be standard usb gamepads.

I know many of you may have made one at some point if so could you show me some examples?

I am considering building it out of wood, but sheet metal is still an option. Or a console hack though what I have may not fit.

[thomas_surles]

Here are some pics of what I will be working with.

[Dungeonsdeep]

Have you tested everything to make sure it turns on once assembled? Sometimes these laptops need to be grounded to the case in certain spots to turn on.

Check my signature for a PC I built inside an NES. You can really put in just about anything, but at the size of the lap top, you may be limited to larger enclosures.

Get created. Use an ammo box or an old crate or something. If you go to Ikea, you can usually find a lot of interesting storage solutions that I always thought would make could PC enclosures.

It is a shame that board is protruding from the side, as is is adding a lot of uneeded space. If you knew anything about soldering you could cut it off, and re-solder the leads....would be a very advanced procedure   

[thomas_surles]

Have you tested everything to make sure it turns on once assembled? Sometimes these laptops need to be grounded to the case in certain spots to turn on.

Check my signature for a PC I built inside an NES. You can really put in just about anything, but at the size of the lap top, you may be limited to larger enclosures.

Get created. Use an ammo box or an old crate or something. If you go to Ikea, you can usually find a lot of interesting storage solutions that I always thought would make could PC enclosures.

It is a shame that board is protruding from the side, as is is adding a lot of uneeded space. If you knew anything about soldering you could cut it off, and re-solder the leads....would be a very advanced procedure   

That peice actually comes off it snapps into place. it is the small strip for the power button.

Was looking into project boxes for enclosures but they dont have any that big.

I have tested it. I plugged the board up inside my cab and it fired right up. But I will definitely look intp grounding it.

The only reason I chose tgis laptop is because it was handy in the junk closet so it is free.

1 gig of ram is plenty for the classic 8 and 16 bit games. Everything runs fine.

The idea is to make it idiot proof for my brother. Just a power button and usb ports on the front like a simple console.

Also I love the nes pc that was my plan all along until I got the board out and realized its so big and in one piece so I can't condense it.

[leapinlew]

You may want to test it without that fan to make sure the laptop doesn't overheat under a load.

Since you are building it in a box, was there a reason you couldn't have kept the whole thing together and just extend the power button?

[thomas_surles]

You may want to test it without that fan to make sure the laptop doesn't overheat under a load.

Since you are building it in a box, was there a reason you couldn't have kept the whole thing together and just extend the power button?

I tested it without the fan.
That was a thought at first. Then I was hoping to reduce the size and the bard was bigger than I hoped. But its out now and I dont see much of a point in putting it back together

[nitrogen_widget]

Don't you have a table?
Some sheets can generate a heck of a static shock when you rub up against them wearing certain clothes.

[thomas_surles]

Don't you have a table?
Some sheets can generate a heck of a static shock when you rub up against them wearing certain clothes.

Thanks for that. I never really considered it. I will be more careful now.

[Caparo8bit]

Im making the same thing and im using a HDDVR case

[ark_ader]

The first rule in laptop hacking is leave the base in the plastic.

The second rule in laptop having is leave the base in the plastic.

There is no point in separating the parts, as it causes more grief.  I learned this the hard way.

[thomas_surles]

The first rule in laptop hacking is leave the base in the plastic.

The second rule in laptop having is leave the base in the plastic.

There is no point in separating the parts, as it causes more grief.  I learned this the hard way.

I see what you mean.

[Dungeonsdeep]

You could always do something like this:http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO] [url]http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO[/url]

[thomas_surles]

You could always do something like this: [url]http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO]http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO] [url]http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO[/url]

What is it?  Nothing shows when I click on it.

[JDFan]

What is it?  Nothing shows when I click on it.

Think it was suppose to be THis :

http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO

[thomas_surles]

What is it?  Nothing shows when I click on it.

Think it was suppose to be THis :

http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO

Dude thats pretty sweet

[thomas_surles]

So I found a directv box at a thrift store for a dollar.  It is almost the perfect size.

[Generic Eric]

Don't you have a table?
Some sheets can generate a heck of a static shock when you rub up against them wearing certain clothes.

That is not an ESD safe work surface.  Is that bed grounded?

[thomas_surles]

Don't you have a table?
Some sheets can generate a heck of a static shock when you rub up against them wearing certain clothes.

That is not an ESD safe work surface.  Is that bed grounded?

Lol. The legs are grounded I think

[IAmDotorg]

Lol. The legs are grounded I think

Being on the ground isn't the same thing

[thomas_surles]

Lol. The legs are grounded I think

Being on the ground isn't the same thing

I know. Im not worried about it really. Its just a busted laptop from the junk drawer.  I have found better in the trash

[ark_ader]

So I found a directv box at a thrift store for a dollar.  It is almost the perfect size.

That is the way to go.

Next time look on eBay for an ITX mother board and check out mini-itx.com for all their examples of console hacking.  I think you will get some inspiration.

[thomas_surles]

So I found a directv box at a thrift store for a dollar.  It is almost the perfect size.

That is the way to go.

Next time look on eBay for an ITX mother board and check out mini-itx.com for all their examples of console hacking.  I think you will get some inspiration.

Thats what I will do when I make one for myself. I gett pretty cheap when it comes to makeing something to give away for free.