Atari 2600 PC

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S q u e e !
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Atari 2600 PC

Post by S q u e e ! »

So, who's up for the next Mini-ITX Atari project? I sure am, but I don't want to wait for someone else to think this up, I'm going to do it! I have this idea for a Mini-ITX motherboard, Laptop Hard Drive, and laptop CD-R drive in an Atari 2600 6-switch case. You might be thinking "He's gone mental! No one could do that!" and you'd be wrong. I was measuring the inside of a six-switch, and I realized there would be just enough space in that shallow space at the very bottom for a Mini-ITX mobo. VIA's specs for my mother board say it is 170mm X 170mm, which will fit with extra room in this case.

My Plan:

1) Gut an old Six-Switch
2) Grind down the two large screw posts and other obstruction at the very bottom of the case.
3) Check to see if the mobo fits (it should, as the Atari's case is ≈ 26½cm x 19cm x 2cm)
4) Cut the woodgrain front a la Atari/PS2 combo unit
5) Attach a Laptop CD-R drive to the top of the case and attach the cut-out portion of the woodgrain to it
6) Place the mobo and mini hard drive at the bottom
7) Put fans in the circular hollow areas on the top

There will be more to come, such as using extension cables for the periferals so I can place them in odd places, like where the cart slot is. So far, I have decided on quite a few things, such as the fact that there will be paralell ports where the joystick ports are, and the six switches functions. I'll soon figure out exact specs of the mobo, HDD, and such, but bear with me, as I know barely anything technical about PCs.

**EDIT**

Well, I've already found the mobo: VIA EPIA

I also know it will be using 256MB Kingston PC133 SDRAM, have a 20GB Fujitsu Laptop Hard Drive w/standard IDE converter, Samsung Slimline DVD drive w/standard IDE converter (instead of CD-R drive), an ACHME Flex ATX 150W power supply, and misc. cables, extensions, and fans.
Last edited by S q u e e ! on Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"I like my coffee like I like my women. In a plastic cup."

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soundwave
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Post by soundwave »

If you think you're the first, you're not, I've seen 2600 PCs on eBay before.
Anyways, it'll still be cool, so good luck.
Bay_Wolf
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Post by Bay_Wolf »

Yea this isnt new search google for it.

Regards
collingall2005
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Post by collingall2005 »

That is awsome man, i put a via in a nes, that was a tight fit you should have more room than i did.

<a href=http://www.retrosystem.com/atari.shtml>Here is one mod of a via in a 2600</a>
Wan na na na!
Bay_Wolf
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Post by Bay_Wolf »

collingall2005 wrote:That is awsome man, i put a via in a nes, that was a tight fit you should have more room than i did.

<a href=http://www.retrosystem.com/atari.shtml>Here is one mod of a via in a 2600</a>
Im doing a NES PC also can i see pics of yours i almost have all my parts just check my nespc status thread. search for it in the forum.

Regards
collingall2005
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Post by collingall2005 »

Bay_Wolf wrote:
collingall2005 wrote:That is awsome man, i put a via in a nes, that was a tight fit you should have more room than i did.

<a href=http://www.retrosystem.com/atari.shtml>Here is one mod of a via in a 2600</a>
Im doing a NES PC also can i see pics of yours i almost have all my parts just check my nespc status thread. search for it in the forum.

Regards
Yeah, but i dont get my digital camera back till monday (my parents have it) so i should be able to post the pictures then.
Wan na na na!
yuppicide
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I am a moron. Hate me, please.

Post by yuppicide »

Extremely stupid idea. For one it's been done a few times before, there's one guy that manufacturers them for sale.

For two, how dare you ruin a beautiful Atari 2600 for that crap.
collingall2005
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Post by collingall2005 »

well S q u e e ! may be able to confirm it but generaly the system does not work so instead of just throwing it away he will be giving it new life, my nes mainboard was water damaged so it wouldn't work any more. Then it was transformed into something new a NESPC and please keep the i hate yous down what someone decides to do with thier own property is up to them (this is a portabalizing fourm isn't it)
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Reploid Ayla
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Post by Reploid Ayla »

Id like to invest the money to make an ITX-Genesis.

As a piece to have in the living room, connected to the a tv and stereo.
Image
Lucretius
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Re: I am a moron. Hate me, please.

Post by Lucretius »

yuppicide wrote:Extremely stupid idea. For one it's been done a few times before, there's one guy that manufacturers them for sale.

For two, how dare you ruin a beautiful Atari 2600 for that crap.
1. and Ben's projects have been done plenty of times before, doesn't make them any less fun, you dip.

2. Hacking of any sort means "ruining a beautiful console for that crap". Any hacking. And this is a hacxking forum.

Try not to be an idiot. It's distasteful...
-Luke
teraflop122
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Post by teraflop122 »

Extremely stupid idea.
Your FACE was an extremely stupid idea! :P

So...with all of these PC's, does anyone think its time for a dedicated PC thread? That would cover PCp's, PC mods, PC-in-consoles, and etc.
Bay_Wolf
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Post by Bay_Wolf »

S q u e e !

I would suggest using a via epia m10000 board only because of how much more powerful it is than older models.

Regards
S q u e e !
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Post by S q u e e ! »

Hey guys, thanks for all of the wonderful feedback.

One thing I'd like to point out: I never said this would be the very first one. I just said I'd like to think this up just the way I want it. I am quite familiar with the 2600 PCs that are for sale, but I want my very own that I made myself.

@yuppicide: I will not stoop to your level and post irrelevant comments about so-and-so's stupidity. Your utter tripe has no effect on me, and I have now erased it from my mind.

@Bay_Wolf: Thanks for that info, I will check it out.

@collingall2005: You are 100% correct in your assumption.
"I like my coffee like I like my women. In a plastic cup."

~Eddie Izzard
elliott
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Post by elliott »

Does the six switch work? Is it NTSC?

I would gladly take the internals off your hands, I need them to revive a dead heavy sixer.

Name your price.
S q u e e !
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Post by S q u e e ! »

Actually, the six switch has been dead for at least 20 years. Sorry! :(
"I like my coffee like I like my women. In a plastic cup."

~Eddie Izzard
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