Project: 3x Nes

[Bopher]

Okay, this has gone from the idea phase into fabrication. It's going to be slow but I'm working on the first NES and still trying to find 2 more. Here's the Donor Shell before we started Breaking everything down.

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/186/beforedemo1cm1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Now I cut all the little humps out of the inside and reattached the little rectangle cover using Marine Epoxy.

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/3092/marineepoxy3fo7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

And this is after I rough sanded it down to be close to level with the rest of the shell. (Its hard to see, my camera stinks)

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/1087/dcfc0035uf5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I was thinking when I get into the paint, that I would find something as close as I could to the original colors (light gray, dark gray, and black) and give it a glossy shined look. Let me know what you guys think.

[Bopher]

Oh, also. I don't know if I should have edited the first post with this info but, after some experimentation I figured out how I can use the Power Button to work as the Power Switch on the case. But I think I'm going to replace the LED with a standard green because the LED shines red. I think this is something to do with the amount of power going through isn't enough for it to go to the green.

[Luke122]

But I think I'm going to replace the LED with a standard green because the LED shines red. I think this is something to do with the amount of power going through isn't enough for it to go to the green.

...?

I'm pretty sure the original NES only had a RED led, but you should be able to replace it with any color LED you want.

[LiTHiUM0XiD3]

red led... u want another color... u gotta swap em.. <<< has NS project.... just cant afford anything to do with it..

[Bopher]

Yeah my bad. You guys are right. The NES only had the Red not green.
(bangs head on desk)

Oh well. I'll probably switch them out with another color, maybe a different color for each light (Power, HDD activity)

Still gotta find 2 more NESs though. Been scouring ebay but they want a fortune even for on that needs a new 72pin.

[Spawn-Inc]

i have a old nes that doesn't work (i don't think, i don't have the right psu for it), i found it in the trash. if you can figure out what it would cost to ship and what not i can send it to you free, i'm in toronto canada.

[Bopher]

Spawn that would be awesome. It took a while but I got a rough estimate from UPS.com and it was about 22.00 Canadian. which is about 19 buck US. so you have a paypal or something maybe we can get it out here. PM me if you want.

[Drum Thumper]

Hellyeah, can't wait to see what my new modding buddy to the south of me comes up with!

I'll toss another +rep your way soon. Subscribed as well.

[Bopher]

Update:

Sorry about the delay in this one. Been waiting for Paypal to get some of my moneys from my checking to my account so I can get another NES. So I'm still waiting for the funds to clear. Hopefully by next week I can get started on another part of this.

Also, I'm looking for ideas and tips on painting. I was thinking about some painting ideas and looking for some input while I wait. First off what is probably the best kind of paint to be using, i.e. Enamel, Laquer, rattle cans? Was thinking of maybe (I know this is going to get expensive) taking pieces that I cut out to an auto paint store and seeing if they can match the color and give the whole case a good glossy look. Or should I just repaint in the flat colors and not go glossy.

Another note, boy this is getting longer than I thought it would be: I got my hands on an 80gig IDE HDD and then they came off. I will explain later after I get over the pain of losing the drive.

[doesi87]

Nice to see this started. Got this idea of using a original NES controller for power buttons, etc. I don't know if you have one or if it is possible but I think it would http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/de/9/99/Joypad-nes-apel.JPG

[$loth]

doesi87, that sounds like a great idea to use the controller as the power buttons :D

[Bopher]

Great Idea, my plan was to use the power/reset that are on the units to power on. But I was thinking about doing a remote setup with one of the Controller to remote power on.
I think a lot of the ideas I have are pretty complex so I will probably be asking for help before I destroy anything.

[Bopher]

Ok, not much to update. Just been fiddling around with some ideas and trying different things out. Tonight I think I might do some more Sketchup work and figure out how to build the mobo tray and positioning of the drives and wires.

Here's some tinkering work so far: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UdxIJS1-NI

I have the drive hooked up to an ATX PSU so I have to hold the button down to get it to stay on, and the reset switch is hooked up to the CDROM drive to open and close. one of the 3 units will control power and CDROM. Then the other 2 will just have the LEDs blink for HDD activity.

And I have a second unit that will be on its way here in a few days +rep to Spawn-Inc for helping me locate another NES shell to use.

[Bopher]

All right. Another update, been a while.

Thanks again to Spawn-Inc for the NES shell. It arrived today. And it lasted about 5 minutes in one piece.
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/3538/boxvb8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Before I got my hands on a screwdriver:
http://img478.imageshack.us/img478/8346/beforedemolg5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

And after if found the stupid screwdriver. (I hate cleaning my workstation, can never find anything after I do.)
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7632/afterhk2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I'm going back to mark and cut the bottom and top of each NES now. Maybe another update in a few hours.

[simon275]

Good to see this mod back on the road. How many more Nes's do you need?

[Bopher]

I just need to find 1 more NES. Probably be running around ebay for another here in a while after I get the other 2 cut a fitted together. I'll probably have to wait to get the guts until after Christmas after a nice bonus from work.

[Omega]

I know how you can set up the controller to act as the power and reset buttons.


Open the NES controller, look at the PCB or whatever, and figure out which wires the start and select buttons go to. After this...

Take a normal power and reset button so that you can get the leads and motherboard plug-ey-thingy and wire four of the pins (two for power, two for reset). Find the corresponding wires for the controller for the select and start buttons and make sure that the pins on the connectors NES-side match up.

If you wire it like this, the NES controller will be the only power button for the computer, but that could be a cool security feature. Don't want somebody turning on/off your computer? Unplug the controller.


Also, you won't have to modify the controller in any way. Nifty.


EDIT:

Oh, if you want me to try and come up with a diagram, I can find a NES controller to completely butcher. One of my buddies has about one million of them (give or take ten thousand). Then all I'd have to do is show you a diagram of what pins to rewire NES-side.

[Spawn-Inc]

awesome, glad to see its there. that box sure got beat up though. hope it gives you enough work until you find the next one.

just a semi-side note are the guts worth anything? do you have a proper nes powersupply? does the system i gave you work?

[Bopher]

You know, I was so excited to get it and start working on the case again I never even tested it. What do you guys use for power up there in Canada. 220 or 110, I've never even driven through Canada and I used to live right on the border when I lived in Maine. I do have a power adapter if it will work with the guts from this one I'll check it out. Whats the worst that could happen? (As the house burns down, oops)

Great idea Omega. I was thinking about using the existing power and resets, but i do like the security feature that would offer. I was thinking of wiring in the front USB slots but this might be cool too. hmm lots of thinking to do. I got plenty of time to think about this though.

[Omega]

You could also pull my approach. Check to see if your mobo has a power-on by keyboard feature. I have mine set to power-on by password ;)

[Spawn-Inc]

bump? whats happing with this, can't find a third nes for cheap?

[Ouch!]

You should be able to solder the 4 small wires that lead to the motherboard for power & reset directly to the contacts inside the NES on the rear of the game controller socket.
If you have a volt meter with an ohms setting just connect it to the pins on the back of the socket and press buttons on the controller. You should be able to sort out which pins correspond to which buttons.
If you dont have a voltmeter you can use a small flashlight bulb and a battery with two wires taped to it to test the circuit. When the light comes on the circuit is complete try it on different pins with someone else pushing the buttons.

Then, if you wanna be really clever. Solder some extra wires from those pins to the corresponding pins on the other controller socket so it doesn't matter where your controller is plugged in, you still have power & reset.....Cool!

Ouch!

[Bopher]

bump? whats happing with this, can't find a third nes for cheap?

Pretty much. I found one in a pawn shop here in town, but they wanted $50 for it. I'm gonna check out the other shops and see if I can find anything. Plus with the move to a new state and settling in its been a little hard to get back to work.

I'm building a workbench right now too so I have a place to build on and someday I'll post the worklog but I haven't had time to get into it to much. Little work here little work there.

This one is still alive its just a matter of getting the supplies and parts together and a place to build again. I really don't want to use the computer desk again. To cramped and makes a mess in the computer room.

[BerticusPryme]

have you tried hitting up ebay?? here is soemof them i found http://search.product.ebay.com/Nintendo-Entertainment-System-Game-console_W0QQfromZR31QQfvcsZ1452QQsoprZ43560371QQup vrZ2

[Bopher]

ok folks. I've decided to go ahead here and start working on the internal of the computer and hope fully I don't screw the whole thing up. MUWHAHA!!!

Here we go. I decided to gut and old case I had laying around that i got from work, McD's was good for something after all. After i had the old motherboard, cards drives etc, etc I got to looking at it. I had an old mATX Dell MB that I could use as a template and looked over the system. I figure I might be able to bring in the case a little bit and pull the 3 NESs together a little more.

http://img467.imageshack.us/img467/2672/caseva3.th.jpg (http://img467.imageshack.us/my.php?image=caseva3.jpg)
It has no idea what is in store next!

http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/9286/cutlinetk8.th.jpg (http://img468.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cutlinetk8.jpg)
Heres the cut line. I think it use about 1" and quarter maybe less I'll measure to be sure.

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/6789/cut1wg7.th.jpg (http://img240.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cut1wg7.jpg)
Oh the humanity!! This went quicker then I thought it would.

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/3686/couldtakeafewqr0.th.jpg (http://img264.imageshack.us/my.php?image=couldtakeafewqr0.jpg)
This could take a few (4 reinforced and 5 regular cutting discs)

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3483/frontofcasecutvg1.th.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=frontofcasecutvg1.jpg)
I still have the front and the back to cut off. Then the sanding and filing. Whew

More updates soon hopefully.

[Bopher]

Not much to report. I got both NESs cut and fitted onto the inards of the case I'm using.

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/745/2nesmocksh1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I just need to find the third then everything can really start coming together. I have a list of parts that I'm thinking of but since it will be some time before I can buy I'm going to wait till a little closer to completion before I post my thoughts on parts. (looking somewhere around Christmas:santa:)

[Spawn-Inc]

alright its back up and running again! +rep!

looking good, where are you going to place the 3rd nes, right in the middle?

[Bopher]

Yup. I'm thinking about putting a flash card reader behind the door. I have another thread out to get some power wiring help on the network hub I thought about putting behind the bottom door. Not to sure about the flash card reader though just because the system is only going to be for gaming.

[xenosagarox]

lol if your still looking for more NES's, go to Japan. I saw a special on video games there a week ago and they had a shop with consoles ranging from the original atari to the famicom. Lol just saying, if you ever need any type of oldie console, fly there.

[Fuganater]

Hopefully you keep it going. Looks pretty sweet so far.

[Drum Thumper]

Check your PMs, I've got a lil something I would like to send your way.

[Bopher]

Yet again the fine folks here have been watching my back. Thank you to all.

[Roughhouse]

Has there been anymore progress with this mod? I thought it looked great so far and was looking forward to seeing the end product. Also pm,ed you

[Drum Thumper]

Has there been anymore progress with this mod? I thought it looked great so far and was looking forward to seeing the end product. Also pm,ed you

He's waiting for me to get off my procrastinating butt and send something his way. Sorry for the delay, between work and school, I've barely got any free time.

[Bopher]

Thats ok. Like I said, I'm waiting for my friend to finish welding up the frame so I can get going again. I'm just hoping that everything still matches up when I get it back, lol.

[Drum Thumper]

I'll get it packaged up on Turkey day (which I somehow got off this year) and shipped out on Black Friday (also have it off).

[Bopher]

Ok folks. Drumthumper was kind enough to send me the 3rd NES for this project so here is the victim.

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/953/3rdnesnw1.th.jpg (http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3rdnesnw1.jpg)

And yes, there was a game that was still in the system. And I couldn't resist plugging in a board and controller and 'rebuilding' a working NES to play a little of it.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/740/couldntresist2rl2.th.jpg (http://img134.imageshack.us/my.php?image=couldntresist2rl2.jpg)

Don't worry, it'll be in the mail for you soon Drumthumper

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/3686/readytogobacktomtdp2.th.jpg (http://img413.imageshack.us/my.php?image=readytogobacktomtdp2.jpg)

Well I haven't had a chance to pull everything out this week. I found out on Wednesday my Grandfather passed away. So really haven't been in to much of a mood to mod. Plus I'm still waiting for my friend to give back the frame of the computer he was welding for me. Hopefully though I can get working again before the new year.

[BigJohnson]

Ah Super Mario Bros 3. Only the greatest game for the NES

[Drum Thumper]

No problem man, thanks for sending SMB3 back.

And my condolences. Sucks losing a loved one. Especially at this time of year.

I'm curious, how beat up was the box?

[Bopher]

box actually faired really well. I suppose if you had put Fragile on it it would have been in pieces when it got here, lol.

[billygoat333]

this is awesome... love old nintendos. have a top loader and dog bone controllers. awesome. :)

+rep for an original idea.

[Bopher]

So I've been putting off posting a parts list until now. I don't know why I've been delaying but I decided tonight to go ahead and put it up and let you guys pick it apart. This is going to be a gaming PC and I tried to put it somewhere in the range to run WoW, BF2, Supreme Commander looks fun. I know I will probably have to upgrade within the next year or so but bear with me here.

Motherboard:

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773
Video:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133203
HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136037
PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817709012
RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134384
DVDROM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827101131
And for when I figure out how to get a Nintendo Stripped down and installed in the middle:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Philips-TV-Tuner-Radio-Video-PCI-Capature-Card-Remote_W0QQitemZ290190370606QQihZ019QQcategoryZ376 1QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Also its will probably be running Vista Home on it. Please pick apart and if you have better suggestions for parts let me know.

[Drum Thumper]

What motherboard are you planning on?

Also, spend a bit more money on your PSU and your video card. You'll thank me later.

Suggestions? Ok:

Spend an extra $15 on the video card and get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130293

$90 for this PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171013

And get yourself another 250 gig hard drive, slap your OS on an 80 gig and run the two 250s in RAID 0 for maximum performance in video games.

That's what I would do anyways.

[Bopher]

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128043&Tpk=GA-MA69VM-S2
Ok try that one. I know its not the best board on newegg but I need to stay cheap. I'll take a look at the others you suggested though thanks.

[Bopher]

Ok, here's an updated parts list. My wife fried her computer so I placed the extra parts from mine, PSU and RAM, into hers and will have to reuse the HDD. This means I'll be without a CD Burner until I decide to find another PSU for my Dell Dimension. But that was eventually just going to be turned into a media or file server down the road anyway.

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128043
Video:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130293
PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817255010
CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103206
RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820134384

Again it will probably be running Vista Home Basic. That seems to have the options I might need in an OS. I'll reuse my 40 gig HDD from the Dell until I have a little spare cash and then I'll drop in a 250 gig and just run the OS off of the 40. TV Card will have to wait a bit but I'm still trying to figure out how to relocated the NES motherboard and my wife got me a 16x DVD ROM for Christmas this year so thats taken care of. Most of this will probably live in the dimension case until my friend comes around with 3x's drive cages he was welding for me.
All I'm looking for is the system to play WoW for now without to much lag and I think this setup will do it. The board can be upgraded later with the 6000+ that I wanted first but I need something cause the laptop is a pain to disconnect when I need it at work.

[Spawn-Inc]

i would not get that cheapo brand psu, don't skimp on the psu. i would stick with one of the follow psu's.

Eneremax
PC Power and Cooling
Silverstone
Seasonic
Thermaltake
Antec
Tagan

[Drum Thumper]

The 'if it feels heavy, it's good' train of thought really applies to PSUs. My CoolerMaster 650w weighs nearly 3 times more than what the no name 500w PSU it replaced.

Something to keep in mind.

[Bopher]

I'll probably go higher on the PSU, I thought I had even less $ then I do to get things with so that should fix that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171013
I'll probably go with this one like Drumthumper suggested.

[Drum Thumper]

I'll probably go higher on the PSU, I thought I had even less $ then I do to get things with so that should fix that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171013
I'll probably go with this one like Drumthumper suggested.

Two words on that PSU--Rock Solid. I'm running the rat tail version in my gaming rig and the modular version in my server.

[D1337]

I wouldnt run Vista on your system, it will be a resource hog unless you turn off alot of services and features, which then it will only be slightly better.

Why exactly do you want it over XP?

I use vista, on two computers, a laptop and my gaming rig, The laptop, has slightly worse specs then your PC, but the performance SUCKS.
On my Gaming rig, it runs fine, with 4 gigs of ram,a raptor, an 8800, 680i,and e6750.

[Bopher]

hmm. Maybe I will go XP instead. they're both running about the same for the full install still. Thanks for the heads up on performance.

[Bopher]

Ok, so I got toys in this week:

4800 AMD AM2 2.5ghz proc
2 gig Kingston RAM
EVGA 256 PCIe Video card
600w cooler master PSU
BioStar TF7025-M2 Motherboard.

Now heres where it gets funny. I get everything in and place it in my Dell case so I can test parts and setup the system. I install my 40gig HDD from my Dell system knowing that I will have to reformat, lose everything yada yada, to get this thing up and going. The HDD has been sitting on a shelf for about 3 or more weeks now and not been plugged in or really touched. XP partitions, formats and copies installation files, restarts to install and DISK BOOT ERROR. press ctrl+alt+del to restart. Now I can't figure out why it boots to CD, copies files to the drive but won't run after the copying is done. So to test everything I installed XP to a 3 gig HDD and have about 160MB left. So everything works nothing needs to be sent back but my HDD don't work. Also I figured I would install a couple small things and my DVDROM gives me an I/O error when i try to access it in Windows. worked fine for the install but can't read disks, redownload drivers maybe? I'll be able to buy another HDD in a couple days once some bills are paid but I hate having all this stuff to play games with and can't play them.

Any suggestions on the HDD and DVDROM would be greatly appreciated.

[Drum Thumper]

Ok, so I got toys in this week:

4800 AMD AM2 2.5ghz proc
2 gig Kingston RAM
EVGA 256 PCIe Video card
600w cooler master PSU
BioStar TF7025-M2 Motherboard.

Now heres where it gets funny. I get everything in and place it in my Dell case so I can test parts and setup the system. I install my 40gig HDD from my Dell system knowing that I will have to reformat, lose everything yada yada, to get this thing up and going. The HDD has been sitting on a shelf for about 3 or more weeks now and not been plugged in or really touched. XP partitions, formats and copies installation files, restarts to install and DISK BOOT ERROR. press ctrl+alt+del to restart. Now I can't figure out why it boots to CD, copies files to the drive but won't run after the copying is done. So to test everything I installed XP to a 3 gig HDD and have about 160MB left. So everything works nothing needs to be sent back but my HDD don't work. Also I figured I would install a couple small things and my DVDROM gives me an I/O error when i try to access it in Windows. worked fine for the install but can't read disks, redownload drivers maybe? I'll be able to buy another HDD in a couple days once some bills are paid but I hate having all this stuff to play games with and can't play them.

Any suggestions on the HDD and DVDROM would be greatly appreciated.

How are they connected? SATA or IDE? If it's IDE; are they on the same cable? If they're on the same cable; are you sure you have Cable Select pinned? Following the IDE line; is the cable you are using capable of running in Cable Select mode? This sounds like both devices trying to be the master, and neither wanting to be the b**ch. :P

[ownaginatious]

This sounds like both devices trying to be the master, and neither wanting to be the b**ch. :P

LOL!

[Bopher]

All connected IDE right now. Maybe later I'll change at least the HD to SATA. Got both drives working over the cable select issue. And my old HD works now. I installed it as a second drive then used Windows XP to format and another program to check the drive, the program said everything was fine on the drive. I pulled the drives plugged the DVDRom back in with the original drive and started up. XP installed no problems and now I have BF2 running and at the moment I have WoW installing. Sometimes I know the software is plotting against me.

[Drum Thumper]

and at the moment I have WoW installing. Sometimes I know the software is plotting against me.

If this isn't a clear case of Irony, I don't know what is! :P

[Bopher]

Stuck again folks. I bought the Biostar TF7025-M2. Now I was just going to be plugging in my 2 Altec Lansing Speakers in to the onboard sound card because I don't need crazy cool sound. Anyway I'm getting zilch for sound from the board. The rest runs fine and temps are good and low (runs 21C to 30C depending on the load. Read somewhere that those could even be off by 10C+)
In XP when I go into the audio devices it says none installed but when I check the codecs and drivers it says everything is working perfectly. It's won't even give me an option to completely remove the drivers and reinstall.
I've reinstalled the drivers from the disk, flashed the BIOS up to the latest, Jan 16 was the last one. Downloaded the newest drivers from Biostar. The chipset is Realtek ACD888 I think is the model number. Should I RMA the board back to newegg or should I just say whatever and get a cheap sound card and use up my last PCI slot?

[Drum Thumper]

Nvidia chipset I'm guessing?

I had similar issues with mine; long story short, the realtek drivers blow--get a cheap sound card.

[d_stilgar]

So, I've been following this since the beginning, looking forward to every update, and somehow I missed pages 2-4 until today. I kept thinking, "he has a lot of comments and no pictures, so weird." I don't know how I missed all the best worklog stuff. It's definitely time for a well deserved +Rep. Keep up the good work!

[billygoat333]

maybe there is a jumper that disables onboard audio like you can with onboard lan? maybe search the manual for that? i dunno.

[Bopher]

Drumthumper: thanks for the suggestions on the nvidia chipset I didn't even think about that. downloading it now (64MB WTF!)

d_stilgar: Thanks man. I just wish i could have done something more like yours in the one but I'm more familiar with the mATX then the ITX boards.

billygoat333: Maybe, I'll take a look around the board didn't see anything in the manual about it but thanks for the suggestion.

[Drum Thumper]

No problem bud. Hopefully this board will work for you. It's been my experience that once you get past the quirkiness of the Biostar boards they are actually quite solid.

[Bopher]

Bad news everybody.
The guy who was welding my case lost it. I'm not to torn up about it. Give me a chance to fix what I thought could be done differently. I have another case down in the basement I just need to see if the board will fit. Plus where the HD sits I really like and if the PSU will fit correctly then I want to keep it there but that means upgrading to an SATA HD and the I have to wait till rebates come back from the PSU and video card.

anyway. I'll be getting some plexi and other assorted items in the next few days to bring this mod to the finish hopefully. Keep your fingers and toes crossed.

[Drum Thumper]

Just how exactly does someone lose a computer case?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?

It was just the frame, and not the front panel facade, right?

[Bopher]

Yeah just the frame. I still have the NESs downstairs and the one you sent me is still yet to be cut because I was waiting for the frame to come back so everything would match up straight. I just got to get off my butt now and see if the other case I have will fit the motherboard and everything without problems. If not someone has offered me an older computer for looking at and fixing some issues with the current PC they have.

[nevermind1534]

I hope you can finish this project. I kind of wonder how it is possible to lose a computer case.

[Bopher]

Little tiny status update:

While talking to my wife about what I was going to do with my Dell computer, looking to turn it into file/photo storage, i had a brain storm on the case and had to draw it in Sketchup. When I had it mostly done she asked what was going to happen to 3xNES and I told her that I would basically have to build the entire MB tray, and case parts myself. So now hopefully if there is $$ at the end of the month, which is a good bet there will be some, I'm going to get some plexi and hopefully have this finished in the next 6-8 weeks.
As for losing a whole case, with the guys I gave it too, probably didn't take a l lot of effort.

[Bopher]

7 months since the last update, whoa! Anyway another small update:

I went to the recycling place today and turned in a couple older computer cases in that I couldn't use. I was going to buy a scrap case with the money but only got about 34 cents. So i told them to scrap the idea of the case cause I had no cash on me but when I got back to the car the guy who worked there said go ahead and take the case anyway, WOO!

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/7456/picture006ns4.th.jpg (http://img167.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture006ns4.jpg)

I also got in the mail today the present from Satan Claus (thanks TGS!!)
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/1024/picture005sn5.th.jpg (http://img68.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture005sn5.jpg)
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/9545/picture008bv6.th.jpg (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture008bv6.jpg)

So now when I get sometime when the baby decides its a good time to sleep I can get cutting into the new case and hopefully get 3xNES back on track!!

[nevermind1534]

Nice to see an update. I think I'm going to get an atom 330 board and finish mine up.

[Drum Thumper]

And here I thought that this thread was dead. You should have PM'd me regarding a case, I've got a couple laying around collecting dust. I would have gladly shipped one to you.

[nevermind1534]

Me too.

[Bopher]

And here I thought that this thread was dead. You should have PM'd me regarding a case, I've got a couple laying around collecting dust. I would have gladly shipped one to you.

Whoops. I'll keep that in mind next time I need one:D Ok, back to whipping the burger slaves

[Bopher]

Finally a real update.

So tonight I got a few minutes tonight to do some modding!!
Here's all the NESs and the case. I did some cutting on the case that can't be seen in the pics. A lot of the cutting was on the NES that covers the top and CDROM drive.
http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/6083/picture002au9.th.jpg (http://img357.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture002au9.jpg)

I cut a little to far to the front of the NES. Guess I got carried away. Maybe someday I'll replace the unit but for now I think it adds something to the build.
http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/4060/picture003ip2.th.jpg (http://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture003ip2.jpg)

I need to do a little adjusting of the position of the NES to line the Drive tray up with the opening.
http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/9153/picture004ae1.th.jpg (http://img114.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture004ae1.jpg)

Hopefully I can get more time to work on this tomorrow. See you next update.

[nevermind1534]

I have a few gutted NESes sitting in my room. If you want, I could send you one fairly cheap.

[Bopher]

I might have to take you up on that after the holidays. I have 1 that hasn't been cut and the other 2 were cut with the other case so its taking a little but of new cutting to get everything to fit right where I want it and I'm afraid of cutting to much away and not getting the design I wanted.

[nevermind1534]

I have some generic beige cases sitting in my closet. I might be able to get you one that is narrower than what you are using now.

[Bopher]

Woo! So I was able to get a few more things done this afternoon before the baby woke up from her nap.

I was able to re cut the bottom networking hub NES.
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/4875/newtopandbottomjp1.th.jpg (http://img186.imageshack.us/my.php?image=newtopandbottomjp1.jpg)

And the middle NES cut and the LCD placed inside ready for mounting to the case frame.
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/5963/middlenescutgr9.th.jpg (http://img230.imageshack.us/my.php?image=middlenescutgr9.jpg)
http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/1439/lcdinitsnewhometv7.th.jpg (http://img129.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lcdinitsnewhometv7.jpg)

Things still left to do, wire NES ports for USB and controller ends for adapters.
Wire up HDD, Power LEDs
Wire up Power switch and ROM Drive buttons.

Hopefully we're coming up on the end here and I can think of another mod.:D

[nevermind1534]

Tomorrow, it will be two months since you last updated...

Do you still need any NES shells? I can send one (or more) to you, if necessary.

[Bopher]

I'm still strapped for cash right now so I'm delayed still. I'm really hoping to get this going again soon. Thanks for the offer on the shells I'll probably hit you up when I have the cash again.

[Bopher]

So I got a check in the mail the other day from having to got to court for Wendys. That gave me a little $$ to buy plexi to do some updates to 3xNES.

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/1399/plexifrontsetin.th.jpg (http://img135.imageshack.us/my.php?image=plexifrontsetin.jpg)

Here's the start of the plexi. This is going to wrap slightly around the sides and front. Hopefully will give the NES shells the illusion of being suspended and little.

I also sanded down the edge of the NES Router so it would fit more snug.
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8783/flushwithcase.th.jpg (http://img135.imageshack.us/my.php?image=flushwithcase.jpg)

little side note. If you have eye protection always use it. I was trying to quickly make the cuts and didn't put on my goggles and almost took hot plexi right to the eye. Its all good though so hopefully the baby will take a long nap, she got 6 month shots today. Here's hoping for an update later.

[nevermind1534]

Nice.

[Bopher]

Well, not to much progress but progress is progress.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/531/glam1.th.jpg (http://img172.imageshack.us/my.php?image=glam1.jpg)

Kinda a overall shot. got another few items cut out. Primarily a lot of fine tuning, trim here cut there. Getting down to the last. 4 strips of plexi to the front and side, wiring up for the USB ports and tighten up the shells. Then I just have to figure out how to suspend the middle NES. a little paint and maybe a window (have to see what it all looks like when getting closer to finishing).

[Bopher]

So wow, just over 2 years since I last posted an update. But I do have one for you. Just a few progress pics, some paint some bad welding. Finally figured out how to hang the middle NES in the system. More bad welding. So without further waiting heres some pic of progress.

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/2416/wp000076.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/843/wp000076.jpg/)
like i said, finally figured out how to hang the middle box, used a L bracket welded into place. you'll see what I mean by bad welding in a sec.

The faint of heart, professional welders and small children should look away now or be scarred, you have been warned.
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3218/hangingproblemsolvedbad.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/hangingproblemsolvedbad.jpg/)
Yeah, haven't done any MIG welding since high school. Good news is the welds are good and am in the process of grinding down the excess material.

So now to some paint pics, didn't get any pics of sanding off the old paint. But I do have one of my helper. Actually it was a lot of, "What are you doing?" Shes 3 now what do I expect.
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/4743/helperw.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/832/helperw.jpg/)
Yes it ok for me to cough up multi-colored gunk, but not her.

So now a few step shots.
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/2849/rightpanelprimer.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/rightpanelprimer.jpg/)
primer
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9034/topwithjusttheredandpri.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/18/topwithjusttheredandpri.jpg/)
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/6075/wp000087k.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/543/wp000087k.jpg/)
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/7325/wp000086g.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/4/wp000086g.jpg/)
after 3 coats of gloss red, used a 320 grit sand paper between

Didn't get a picture of taping down and stencil but heres the finished top and left side.
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/1628/topfinished.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/28/topfinished.jpg/)
top
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/4276/togetherwithleftsidepan.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/830/togetherwithleftsidepan.jpg/)
left side installed.

Well thats about it so far. Can't believe its been that long since I last did an update. Not to much going on around here, left Wendys do to some stuff going on, but now I'm working closer to the internet industry. Get to do Tech support for Centurylink DSL from home. Well, hope everybody is doing good. Was going to have this update done up yesterday but got caught up in some worklogs that looked really nice.

[d_stilgar]

I know how updates are. It was summer that I finished my GlaDos speakers. Have I posted anything about it anywhere? Nope. I'm just busy.

[nevermind1534]

Nice; it's good to see an update.