Dreamcast laptop: A few questions before I get going...

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khaag
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Dreamcast laptop: A few questions before I get going...

Post by khaag »

OK, so I just scored an ultra cheap dreamcast off of ebay for the almost sinister price of $4.99 (it came with web browser 2.0 and 2 controllers plus the unit.) Anyway, I thought, this would be the perfect time to try my hand at portablizing the thing. So I have a few questions before I start. (BTW, I've searched the forum, and havn't found what I'm looking for)

1.) Does anybody know where I can find the PS/2 to Dreamcast adaptor? I've searched ebay, I've searched PlayAsia... I can't find one.

2.) What is the deal with replacing the GD-ROM drive? Can I just pop it out and pop in a laptop drive? All I know is that I can't play GD-ROMs if I do this. What can I do if I do this mod? Or is it even possible?

3.) What is the smallest feasible thickness of the laptop (excluding the screen) I'd be looking at, with a replaced GD-ROM drive

4.)Is it possible to get a Wireless LAN adaptor or to hack one up for use on the system? It would just be more convenient than the wired BBA.

5.)What else should I include in the system?

Thanks in advance for any answers ;)
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Raab
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Post by Raab »

i can answer number 4 because from wat ive seen u cant do it anyother way then by buying a wireless gaming adapter that plugs into an ethernet port but this would require u to get an ethernet adapter too some thing like this http://cgi.ebay.com/Netgear-HDX101-Gami ... dZViewItem
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Post by khaag »

I don't get it? What do I use that for? Do I plug it into the dreamcast, and then I can connect to my wireless network?
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Post by PeglegJimmy »

You didn't search very hard.

And for size, I believe 2" maybe 3" I haven't measured it for a while so I forgot, the gd-rom drive without modding its like 2.8"

As for things to add, with the link I gave you on ebay, a wireless controller for ps2 works, so I would say build that inside, and with a small hole for the receiver so it looks like theres nothing in the controller slot, Theres enough room for that to be modded in. 2 of those together, without even a controller slot visible would be the bomb, just have 2 wireless ps2 controllers with the real dreamcast controller buttons, and analog stick/d-pad and painted white and gray like the real controller would be da bomb! a tad costly tho.
firevolvix
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Post by firevolvix »

4) how about a wireless ethernet bridge? you could connect this to the bba and have a wireless-bba, but it would of course consume more battery power!
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Post by khaag »

PeglegJimmy wrote:You didn't search very hard.

And for size, I believe 2" maybe 3" I haven't measured it for a while so I forgot, the gd-rom drive without modding its like 2.8"

As for things to add, with the link I gave you on ebay, a wireless controller for ps2 works, so I would say build that inside, and with a small hole for the receiver so it looks like theres nothing in the controller slot, Theres enough room for that to be modded in. 2 of those together, without even a controller slot visible would be the bomb, just have 2 wireless ps2 controllers with the real dreamcast controller buttons, and analog stick/d-pad and painted white and gray like the real controller would be da bomb! a tad costly tho.
Notice I said "PS/2" not "PS2". That means pc keyboard and mouse.[/b]

And I think I figured that Ethernet thing out. I would plug the one transmitter into my router, then plug the reciever into the dreamcast modem, and I could get ethernet into the dreamcast that way? Anybody know if this would work? I'm not about to pay $200+ on the BBA
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firevolvix
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Post by firevolvix »

khaag wrote:
PeglegJimmy wrote:You didn't search very hard.

And for size, I believe 2" maybe 3" I haven't measured it for a while so I forgot, the gd-rom drive without modding its like 2.8"

As for things to add, with the link I gave you on ebay, a wireless controller for ps2 works, so I would say build that inside, and with a small hole for the receiver so it looks like theres nothing in the controller slot, Theres enough room for that to be modded in. 2 of those together, without even a controller slot visible would be the bomb, just have 2 wireless ps2 controllers with the real dreamcast controller buttons, and analog stick/d-pad and painted white and gray like the real controller would be da bomb! a tad costly tho.
Notice I said "PS/2" not "PS2". That means pc keyboard and mouse.[/b]

And I think I figured that Ethernet thing out. I would plug the one transmitter into my router, then plug the reciever into the dreamcast modem, and I could get ethernet into the dreamcast that way? Anybody know if this would work? I'm not about to pay $200+ on the BBA
you cant just plug the receiver into the modem, i thought you already had a bba.

im sorry mate, thats not gonna work ;-/
khaag
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Post by khaag »

Alright, well I guess for now then, the laptop is going to have wired 56k.

Can anybody answer all of my questions though?

EDIT: Do you guys think a 5 inch Sony PSone screen would be a good size for the Dreamcast Laptop?
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Post by khaag »

I need to QUICKLY raise funds in my Paypal account for an ebay auction!! Please visit my Trading Post thread!! http://www.benheck.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=19505
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Post by khaag »

Come on! Doesn't anybody want to help me by answering my questions?

Will [url=http://cgi.ebay.ca/Compaq-16-X-IDE-Slot ... dZViewItem] cd drive work with the dreamcast? If not, how do I find out if one will work?[/i]
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HotDog-Cart
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Post by HotDog-Cart »

Khaag, no need to get a ps/2 adapter. You can get a mouse and keyboard for DC from ebay. The same one people used for Quake 3 Arena.

Actually. Here.

http://www.electronic-devices.net/Dream ... mcast.html

:)
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khaag
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Post by khaag »

New question:

Is there any way to get a 7.4V 5400 mAH LiPoly battery to run a dreamcast? Would I need to get a step-up converter?

I hope someone can answer THIS question...
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Post by -=FamilyGuy=- »

A Dreamcast consumes about 2300mAh with a psone screen (not led modded) but it depends on how much the gd-drive is used in the game.

But you'll have to input 12v 5v and 3.3v to it, so a 7.4v battery shouldn't not do the job alone, you'll need to convert it to 12v with a step-up and to 5 and 3.3 with regulators. The most easy way to power up a dc, is to use a mini-itx power supply ( I got a picoPSU 120Watts and it's perfect) and using an aprox. 12v source.


Thank you !

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khaag
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Post by khaag »

So you're saying I can or can't use a 7.4V?
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-=FamilyGuy=-
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Post by -=FamilyGuy=- »

You CAN'T use is alone, but you MIGHT be able to use IT with some extra PARTS but it'd be a bit SILLY.

The short answer is : if you dunno how you'd do it, then don't.
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