Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: thomas_surles on May 31, 2014, 03:23:14 pm

Title: game console
Post by: thomas_surles on May 31, 2014, 03:23:14 pm
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.
Title: Re: game console
Post by: thomas_surles on May 31, 2014, 06:07:42 pm
Here are some pics of what I will be working with.
Title: Re: game console
Post by: Dungeonsdeep on June 01, 2014, 10:42:10 am
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   ;D
Title: Re: game console
Post by: thomas_surles on June 01, 2014, 11:57:48 am
Quote from: Dungeonsdeep link=topic=139492.msg1442568#msg14e2568 date=1401633730
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   ;D

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.
Title: Re: game console
Post by: leapinlew on June 01, 2014, 12:11:31 pm
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?
Title: Re: game console
Post by: thomas_surles on June 01, 2014, 12:41:39 pm
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
Title: Re: game console
Post by: nitrogen_widget on June 01, 2014, 12:47:46 pm
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.
Title: Re: game console
Post by: thomas_surles on June 01, 2014, 01:23:24 pm
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.
Title: Re: game console
Post by: Caparo8bit on June 02, 2014, 12:19:11 am
Im making the same thing and im using a HDDVR case
Title: Re: game console
Post by: ark_ader on June 02, 2014, 01:04:01 am
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.
Title: Re: game console
Post by: thomas_surles on June 02, 2014, 01:07:24 am
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.
Title: Re: game console
Post by: Dungeonsdeep on June 04, 2014, 09:48:44 am
You could always do something like this:http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO] [url]http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO (http://[url)[/url]
Title: Re: game console
Post by: thomas_surles on June 04, 2014, 10:10:03 am
You could always do something like this: [url]http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO]http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO] [url]http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO (http://[url=http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO)[/url]
What is it?  Nothing shows when I click on it.
Title: Re: game console
Post by: JDFan on June 04, 2014, 10:44:08 am
What is it?  Nothing shows when I click on it.

Think it was suppose to be THis :

http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO (http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO)
Title: Re: game console
Post by: thomas_surles on June 04, 2014, 10:58:34 am
What is it?  Nothing shows when I click on it.

Think it was suppose to be THis :

http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO (http://imgur.com/a/oMbnO)
Dude thats pretty sweet
Title: Re: game console
Post by: thomas_surles on July 25, 2014, 12:55:27 pm
So I found a directv box at a thrift store for a dollar.  It is almost the perfect size.
Title: Re: game console
Post by: Generic Eric on July 25, 2014, 01:01:18 pm
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?
Title: Re: game console
Post by: thomas_surles on July 25, 2014, 02:36:29 pm
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
Title: Re: game console
Post by: IAmDotorg on July 25, 2014, 03:01:20 pm
Lol. The legs are grounded I think

Being on the ground isn't the same thing :)
Title: Re: game console
Post by: thomas_surles on July 25, 2014, 03:25:52 pm
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
Title: Re: game console
Post by: ark_ader on July 25, 2014, 03:40:25 pm
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.
Title: Re: game console
Post by: thomas_surles on July 25, 2014, 04:48:13 pm
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.