Project: r3n0's NES PC

[r3n0]

I know this is an old idea and is nothing really NEW but i wanted to give it a shot for my first custom case.

I will post more pictures as i go

Supplies:

VIA EPIA VB7001G $100
200W slim PSU $30
533 mHZ Crucial ram $30
Fan $2
laptop CD drive to IDE $2
HDD - salvaged from laptop
CDROM - salvaged from laptop
2 extra USB ports - salvaged from old PC
reset and power switches - salvaged from old PC

total cost < $200

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NESPC003.jpg





Update:
Project r3n0 NESPC finished 5/28/08

Supplies:

VIA EPIA VB7001G $100
160 GB HDD $80
Gyration Remote $33
200W slim PSU $30
533 mHZ Crucial ram $30
Fan (For cooling) $2
laptop CD drive to IDE $2
2.5" ide to 3.5" ide $5
CDROM - salvaged from laptop
2 extra USB ports - salvaged from old PC
2 playstation ports to USB adapter - had lying around
2 playstation controllers - had lyring around
reset and power switch wires - salvaged from old PC
reset and power switches - provided by d_stilgar, thanks!!


total cost = $282
Hours spend = a lot
Fun Factor = 9

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/DSC04791.jpg


http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/DSC04794.jpg

[Drum Thumper]

:pics:

Sweet, another NES mod!

[Bopher]

Theres a simple mod you can do to the NESs current Power and reset buttons to make them function as your power/reset buttons. It took some tinkering and gutting to figure it out but I was able to get the power button to function like a computer power button.

[r3n0]

i am actually having a lot of trouble with that

i took the reset and power button apart and took out the circuit board (i need the room) and i was thinking somehow incorporating the PC computer case switch in there, no luck so far.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NESPC001.jpg
Purchased a broken NES from ebay for cheap
Gutted the thing here is a look of the innards


http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NESPC002.jpg
Marked a few of the posts that i NEED TO KEEP
Note - there are more posts that you should keep, i learned that the hard way

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NESPC003.jpg
A picture of the case all grinded down
the blue thing is a sheet of plexiglass to protect the motherboard on the bottom and provide more strength to the case.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NESPC004.jpg
close up

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NESPC005.jpg
Testing how it will all fit together.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NESPC006.jpg
After a couple hours of griding the case some more and making the holes for the plugs, its looking pretty good.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NESPC007.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NESPC008.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NESPC009.jpg
*warning* if you decide to put the power supply under the original vent, you will need to sand down the vent from the underside.
Try to take your time :)

Don't worry, I will fix it.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NESPC010.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NESPC011.jpg
I had an extra 2 USB ports from an old computer lying around and since I won't be moding any NES controllers, i thought it would be a good idea to have USB ports on the front.

My ram is coming next week so hopefully i will be able to get it booted up by Friday

[Bopher]

Modding out the switches should be easy. If you look at the button for the power there is a small "staple" for lack of a better word that holds a piece of copper in place. If you remove both the copper sliver and the staple it keeps the button from locking down. Then you just have to run 2 wires from the underside of the switch. If I have a chance I'll try to pull one of the extras I have apart tonight or tomorrow.

[tinker]

Looks pretty legit so far.
Keep it up.

Sorry I'm not help when it comes to NES specifics.

[scar~face]

ive seen good NES mods and bad NES mods, this my friend looks like a good one

[r3n0]

wow thanks for the encouraging comments!

The project is really rolling along here.

I used the NES sheet metal to make my own hard drive mount and it fits pretty good.

I was going to use a 3.5" HDD but there just was not enough room, especially if i am going to put in a PCI Tv card for MediaPortal


next steps
1) wire up the reset and power buttons correctly
2) add in the ram
3) mount the motherboard

:)


I can already hear the SMB3 theme music

[a.Bird]

Just an idea, because I've never seen it done... you could wire a small, extremely low wattage, magnetically shielded speaker inside of the case and use it for the low bit audio (you know the blips and bleeps of old NES games) which I think would be great because as long as you're just using the NESPC for NES emulation, you won't have to worry about hooking up external speakers to the unit to hear your games.

[Drum Thumper]

Just an idea, because I've never seen it done... you could wire a small, extremely low wattage, magnetically shielded speaker inside of the case and use it for the low bit audio (you know the blips and bleeps of old NES games) which I think would be great because as long as you're just using the NESPC for NES emulation, you won't have to worry about hooking up external speakers to the unit to hear your games.

I'm betting this could be done with a simple PC speaker. I'm not too sure how great it would sound though.

[d_stilgar]

I think I'm going to ship that switch to you today, and I'll make it momentary switch too if I can. Enjoy the gift!

[Fuganater]

looks good. I would suggest cleaning up the holes in the back for the mobo ports. cant wait to see the final product.

[r3n0]

thank you very much!

Unfortunately I had a fever yesterday and I have midterms and a paper coming up so the project might be on hold for a little while :/

[Fuganater]

No worries dude. That why there is a Subscription to threads :P

Also, look at mine. I've been working on it for months and just now had some progress. Mods take time. Some more than other depending on your life.

[a.Bird]

Get well and take care of your stuff man. Good luck on your midterms!

[r3n0]

A couple more pictures

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NES%20PC/NESPC017.jpg
Cleaned the holes on the back


http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NES%20PC/NESPC016.jpg
DIY hard drive mount from the original NES sheet metal

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NES%20PC/NESPC018.jpg
Used velcro pads for the cd rom, actually works really well

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NES%20PC/NESPC015.jpg
Everything put together

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/NES%20PC/NESPC020.jpg

I got a little excited and decided to do a test boot w/o hard drive (Still waiting for the 2.5" hdd to IDE adapter to come in)

:banana:

[Fuganater]

Too bad I didn't catch this mod earlier. I could have supplied you with one. But you found a cheap one so I guess its ok lol. Good work!

[r3n0]

thanks!

Super excited!!!

[r3n0]

I would really like to control this computer with a remote so i can move the cursor, click and right click while sitting on the couch.

Does anyone know what is the cheapest way to do this?


I am thinking about getting a infrared sensor and finding some freeware program that allows me to customize infrared signals with functions on the computer. Does anyone have experience with this?

[Drum Thumper]

I know of a linux program and a windows derivative of this same program for remote controls (LiRC and WinLiRC respectively). However, I am not too sure if you can control a mouse pointer with them.

I've also got some links for suppliers and a schematic if you're interested.

[Pointy_Stick]

A bit pricey, and probably out of your price range, but it is the most elegant solution. Perhaps something to save for in the future.
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/mice/devices/3443

[r3n0]

I saw one of those at Frys! That would be very nice to have but is too expensive

i might just pick this one up
link (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6202)

[r3n0]

I just picked up this remote, pretty cheap too!



It acts as an air mouse also, great for surfing the web

in combination with the open source program, EventGhost, i will be able to reprogram the keys to do whatever i want!

[r3n0]

If anyone out there would find it helpful, i can write step by step instructions on what i did, or i can maybe make a website if anyone can recommend a free good, google indexed webhosting site.


Right now i am just waiting for the adapters to come in

shipped 4-17-08 overseas so i might not get them for 2 weeks!@

[Fuganater]

AHHH!! 2 weeks?!?!?!?! That sucks dude. You can usually find a free website like 50megs.com or something like that. I have one on there but I'm gonna wait to finish it till my mod is done.

[d_stilgar]

If you want to write a tutorial for my website (under construction, but up), that would be really cool. I'm sorry to admit this, but I still haven't shipped that switch. I'll do it tomorrow, I promise. My life has been crazy lately.

My site is here: www.modsandends.com/forum. I'm working on my PC and the site and will make a tutorial of my own, but if you want to make a tutorial too, that would be awesome.

[Fuganater]

If you want to write a tutorial for my website (under construction, but up), that would be really cool. I'm sorry to admit this, but I still haven't shipped that switch. I'll do it tomorrow, I promise. My life has been crazy lately.

My site is here: www.modsandends.com/forum. I'm working on my PC and the site and will make a tutorial of my own, but if you want to make a tutorial too, that would be awesome.


"yourdomain.com

A short text to describe your forum"

hehe. I hope to see it when its all done.

[r3n0]

alright cool, ill make a site and then send over the tutorial for your site



no worries about the switch, i still have to wait for the dang adapters!

[d_stilgar]

I mailed the switch today. It very well would've been cheaper for me to order from the site and ship it to you. Oh well, haha. Enjoy the gift!

[r3n0]

Was it expensive to ship? sorry about that!!

[r3n0]

Great news, my NES PC IS RUNNING!!!

but the 2.5" laptop hard drive to IDE adapter is not working

I ended up testing the system open faced with a 3.5" hard drive hanging out of it.

So far so good!

Need to wait for the new adapter and install in the new power and reset switch that d_stilgar so kindly mailed to me.

thanks d_stilgar!!!!! Perfect fit

will post pictures soon

[Fuganater]

Hopefully you get that working... if not I might have an extra.

[d_stilgar]

Good to know that you got the switch. They are really great switches, and nearly impossible to tell from the originals. Get some pics!

[r3n0]

I will once i get the 2.5" hard drive working

I ordered another 2.5" to IDE adapter through amazon.

Should get here on Monday!

[Chev86]

Hey man hope it all goes good. Amazon is good with delivery so hope all is good.

[r3n0]

Im having issues

I have my 2.5" laptop hard drive connected to the computer via the 2.5" to IDE adapter but my bios is not detecting it

I tried multiple IDE cords and the 2 different spots on the IDE cable but it isnt being detected


Anyone know why this is the case? Maybe i need to use a cable select IDE cord?

[Fuganater]

I always use CS for IDE. Its the best way for your computer to decided the Master/Slave. Or you can set it yourself in the BIOS. If thats not the case then you need to try another IDE cable.

Oh! Are you using a 80 or 40 IDE cable?

[r3n0]

thats a good question, how do i find out, i am using the ide cable that came with my motherboard

[r3n0]

i tried everything i could think of. My bios did detect it with the old adapter but it was very very glitchy. This is an old 4200 RPM hard drive. Ill just get a SATA drive becuase they arnt that expensive and im sure i will not have problems with it. Plus i can really use the extra memory

[r3n0]

it was an 80 ide cord and i just tried a 40 and still no luck :/

[Fuganater]

That is interesting. The 80 should work unless it is bad. Do you have another 80?

[r3n0]

I tried 2 different IDE 80 and 1 ide 40



I think i figured out the problem, i cant use the IDE1 spot on teh mobo becuase the power and reset switches block it, so i have to use IDE2 but the user manual says that the primary hard drive must be on IDE1.
:mad:

[Fuganater]

That should not matter. I've never had that problem before. Try to move some of the cables around. I know its tight in there but its worth a shot.

[r3n0]

i am unsure at this point. I think i will take my laptop hard drive out and test that just to see if it boots becuase then i would know its the hard drive

[Fuganater]

Good idea. Lemme know.

[r3n0]

yeah i guess that is what the problem was.

My laptop hard drive booted up just fine. I ordered a 160GB hdd from newegg for about $75. I will post when i get this project up and running!

[Fuganater]

Man that blows that you had to get another HDD.... how big was the other and how old? They usually have a 3-5 year warranty on them.

[r3n0]

Im not exactly sure on the age. It was from a broken laptop my buddy was going to trash. Its a 40 gig 4200 rpm drive. Its works when i put it in an external enclosure but my mobo bios does not recognize it :/

My new hdd is coming in tomorrow :)

[Fuganater]

Well looks like you got a 40B portable HDD now :D

[Drum Thumper]

:pics:

[Fuganater]

:pics:

Look at page 1-3 :P. We've been in a heated discussion lately lol.

[Drum Thumper]

Look at page 1-3 :P. We've been in a heated discussion lately lol.

Two pages of a wall of text after pages 1 through 3. :D

[nevermind1534]

What's wrong with that? There's really nothing to take pictures of.

[r3n0]

i have pictures!

OKay so everything works great, i have the computer up and running, all is well

Internet, NES emu, music, movies, and my air remote all work fine!

but i have one problem, the temperature is not acceptable inside, my hard drive keeps climbing up (50 C before i had to turn it of)

Im going to add in a fan and try to move the IDE cord away from the hard drive for better airflow

I will post pictures soon!

[Fuganater]

Could you add any type of external fan to the top? Or do you want to keep it totally contained in the NES?

[nevermind1534]

I think sanding down below the vent on the top would make a good spot for fan(s).

[r3n0]

i could use an external fan but id much rather have it all internal to the NES

I might just install this extra CPU fanthe back of the computer, kind of like in this picture

http://hellalame.com/nes/pages/DSCF0102.html

[r3n0]

Some new pictures for you guys

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/DSC04787.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/DSC04788.jpg
power assembly thanks to d_stilgar!!!!!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/DSC04789.jpg
the hard drive, cd drive and the extra USB ports on the front

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/DSC04791.jpg
all put together

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/DSC04793.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/DSC04794.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/DSC04797.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/DSC04799.jpg
watching tv with mediaportal on my nespc

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/DSC04801.jpg

[Fuganater]

I can't tell but did you hook up the power to the power button on the front? But I think it looks great.

About the cooling. What if you put 2 small fans under the lid where the cutouts are on the right of it. All you would have to do is drill for the screws.

[r3n0]

yeah the power button is hooked up to the front, i also aded a green led for the power

i would put fans on the side but i think the power supply would pretty much block all the airflow

[d_stilgar]

Ooo. Nice. How did you add a hinge to the black frontplate? I've been trying to figure out how to do it without changing the look at all and yours looks perfect as far as I can see.

Can I get some closeup pics of that hinge assembly? In either case +Rep. Cool build.

[r3n0]

hehe, its not a very high quality hinge....

i just took that piece off, grabbed an X-acto knife and scored the slit on the top.

After i had two pieces i just took some duct tape and taped the pieces together (which allows the front part to move up and down) and shot the underside with some black spray paint. I'll post a close up today. I am sure there are much better ways to do that

[d_stilgar]

Haha. No wonder the hinge is so thin. Yeah . . . I don't think I want my solution to be quite that ghetto, but we'll see how things go, or if I even hinge that plate at all.

[nevermind1534]

I think I'm going to do something like that too.

[r3n0]

but hey it works!

the main problem with a hinge is that it has to be really thin!

[nevermind1534]

Yeah, I will have to figure out what to do when I get to that point.

[r3n0]

success!

Given it was a very hot weekend, my HDD maxed at 53 degrees C (well over the recommended temp) so i took my case apart this morning, dremmelled a hole and installed a cheapo $2 fan from dealextreme.com and rearranged the IDE cord for better air flow in the case...


I had my NESPC on for 3 hours as i watched a movie and the temp maxed at 37 degrees C!!!

I will post some pictures of the final product this weekend and then start on the tutorial!

[3pcon]

theres many of the NES mods this one is my fav! good job dude! looks awesome. did the Velcro hold the cd rom and hdd up fine? kinda surprised it could hold the weight.

[Fuganater]

Good job on the temp fix .

[r3n0]

thanks 3pcon!

Actually, I put too many velcro pads, it is WAY too strong of a hold. I feel like i am going to break my CDROM when i try to pull it out!


I really like my NES PC so far but i do have 1 complaint, the PSU i got is very noisy so i suggest either a quieter PSU or just get an internal PSU. :)

[Katosen]

So, what are the final specs?

[nevermind1534]

I would suggest one of those pico psu's. Just remember to get it with a cord!

[Katosen]

Ah, yeah, the picopsu. It should increase your airflow substantially. You'll have to get one that matches your current PSU's power....at least, i would recommend it. Dont want to be underpowered and all lol.

[nevermind1534]

I saw them only in 90 and 120 watts. The 120W one with a cord was $50.

[Katosen]

i've seen a 200watt one before on minibox, i believe...

http://www.mini-box.com/PW-200M-DC-DC-power-supply

right here, ya.

[r3n0]

Here is the latest picture of with the added fan

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/CodyJca/DSC04805.jpg


I was building this project on the cheap so i decided to pass on the pico psu
but now i am giving it second thoughts.


So overall:

1.5 Ghz Cpu
1 GB ram
160 GB HDD
TV tuner with MediaPortal
DVD RW drive
2 Front USB ports
200w PSU
XP home :/
RF Gyration remote (acts as an airmouse also)
wireless keyboard and mouse
NES emulator and 900+ roms
SEGA emulator + roms
SNES/MAME coming soon
USB adapter with 2 PSX controller ports (use for the emulators)

In the end this cost me around $300

[Fuganater]

Geez! $350... that was like my video card :/ ... What are the new temps with that fan in there?

[Katosen]

Hm. Interesting. Im going the 'cheap, yet coolest' way myself with my NESPC. Mines a bit more powerful, and is going to use a much smaller, yet as powefull PSU.

My total estimated cost is going to end up being about $700-$750 before its all over with (which is cheap compared to my desktop computer lol)

[r3n0]

the new temps are now 37 degrees C (from 53 C !)

I was very amazed how much rearranging the IDE cord and adding the fan made, also this week was a lot cooler in general.

[d_stilgar]

Congrats on a finished mod!

[Fuganater]

Good stuff :D

[Katosen]

congrats man! :D

[r3n0]

thanks!

Its a lot of fun to use, i might install Full Throttle and Starcraft on it today, give that a shot

[Pointy_Stick]

Full Throttle FTW!! I can't wait for Brutal Legend.

Oh yeah, nice mod btw :D

[Katosen]

St-St-St-Starcraft!! :D :D :D

I dont think Starcraft will have any problem playing, haha.

[nevermind1534]

Good job.