So Many Questions!!!

[bucsboy]

I remeber the day when a friend sent me a link to Nick's N64 Mobile, I thought it was really cool! Well I've come a long way from that, even bought ben's book, but was disapointed when he hadn't put a guide to making an N54 in there. So for the past week, I have been researching from all over the place, but its hard to pinpoint info, especially with this forum's search engine, its impossible to find anything!!! So these were my ideas towards making my own:

I would like to relocate the cartridge slot if possible, so it would stick out the back or something, but get this. I have a Gameshark pro v3.3, THE LAST VERSION MADE FOR N64!!! But it mostly sucks, and I am always having problems with it. But besides that, I was thinking that if I stripped it, I could build it right into the rest of the design for the portable, and have a toggle switch for it, so I could turn it off an on as I please, including the gs button on the portable (relocated to a more conveinent spot), I would also relocate the number countdown thingymabob and the port (I don't remember what it's called) so I can load new codes onto it. So basically the games would go into the gameshark slot, but!!!; I would have a toggle on/ off switch for it. I was thinkin of usin a SPDT for it.

I would also relocate the memory card slot thing on the controller, and If I wanted to, make an internal memory card that I could toggle with an external one, Im not so sure I'll do this one but maybe. Yet again probably using a SPDT.

I was also like to strip the EXPANSION PACK, not the jumper pack, but if I had to I would strip the jumper, If its not possible with the expansion. I dont know what happens if I strip the Expansion pack, but I have two of them, if something goes wrong with the first. Of course, If I cant relocate the expansion pack's holder thingy, there isn't much point.

I would also like to keep all the controller ports, and I would like to be able to toggle between the internal controller, and an external one hooked up to p1. So If I ever wanted to use the original controller while playing the portable I could. I think I would also use an SPDT switch for this too. Jeez!!!

I would also like to still have av outs, so I could still play it on a tv, instead of a little screen. And if possible I would like to add Av in switches, in case I ever needed them. But even though I have never seen this before... what if you could use one set of av ports and be able to toggle between in/out. That would be crazy if that worked!

I would use the full controller, like the D-Pad, joystick, all the c buttons, A, B, Z, L, and R, having L on the left and z and r on the right, like with the gamecube. I would use all original buttons except for z, l and r, because I know it is hard to put those in a portable. And does anyone know how to make the buttons not spin, just sort of a pet peeve.

I would also have a DC/Charger port, so I could still connect it to the wall if I had to, and while its connected it would charge. Like most electronics. I would aslo have a headphones port, a volume and bightness control.

For the screen I pretty sure I am going to use that psone screen. I'm gonna try to find for less than 30 on ebay, but they have it at eb games preowned for 30, but i dont know what shipping is. I might use that interact gamecube 5.4" screen, but I have heard better things about the psone screen.

As for the Case, I HAVE NO IDEA!!! I know about the page on Portables of Doom where they tell u about cases but could someone please tell me what a vacuam table is? Its all so confusing.

Well that's about all I can think of, If you guys have any ideas I could add to this concept portable, that would be great; but please answer my questions!!!

Thx!!!
A Total N00b!!!

[daguuy]

i'm making a guide that's gonna cover most of that stuff (not the gameshark, i don't know anything about those) but it'll be at least a month till it's done, unless i decide not to be lazy .

for AV in/out, it's really easy. all you do is wire you RCA jacks directly to the AV spots on the N64 board or whereever it is your video signal is, no toggle needed .

for the controller toggle, what might work (havn't tested it) is put an SPST switch on the internal one's ground (black wire) to turn it off, you don't need one for the external controller because you can just unplug it.

don't use an interact screen, i heard they suck, use PSone screen or something.

this should clear things up with the vacuum form table. basically what you do is make a mold, heat up some plastic, and us a vacuum to suck the plastic onto the mold.

[x24]

the second one is next to impossible unless you're really, really, really good at soldering.. you could just do what I'm doing..

I'm putting homemade controls (with pc board) on the front and then wrap the wires around to the back where the actual controller will be and the slot for the memory card will be sticking straight out.. my current plan doesn't make any room for something like the gb transfer pack, but it works..

the question about optional AV out and the switch.. thats very easy.. lots of people do that.. might aswell save time and just buy a 2nd n64 tho.. they arnt much..

The charger is possible.. there are guides for it.. i assume u are going to build the batteries into it and never have easy access to them again.. thats fine and all.. the only thought that comes to mind is that rechargables dont last forever.. and u'll also find that 8 batteries only last soo long.. I thought before hand and i am designing a series of battery packs (each run on 9.6v), one with double As, one with one RC car battery and another with 2.. they should last for approx 2, 2 1/4 and 4 1/2 hours.. the 4 and 1/2 hour ones would be way too heavy to imcorporate into the case however..

good luck finding a psone screen for under 30.. u'll likely pay 50 after shipping.. PSOnes looks great but expect to pay plenty..

welcome to the forums btw

EDIT: beat me to it..

[daguuy]

good luck finding a psone screen for under 30.. u'll likely pay 50 after shipping.. PSOnes looks great but expect to pay plenty.

if you can find a non-working verge, you could easily get it for less than $20

[JAY]

Don't forget to check your local K-Marts, since they had a clearence of the PSone screens a while back, and you may get lucky and they might still have a couple around. I was able to pick up 5 of them for $14 per screen in November, so it doesn't hurt to check it out.

[vb_master]

I have a Gameshark v2.1. I havn't had any problems with it. Can I trade for the Gameshark v3.3? PM me thanks!

[bucsboy]

The Gameshark thing would be cool, and would make my n64p unique, but its kind of a waste of time. I mean having it buily in would be nice and all, but what if I ever needed to use another gameshark, it just doesn't make sense.
As for trading, I think I just need to spend some time troubleshooting mine first, but I'll think about it.

for AV in/out, it's really easy. all you do is wire you RCA jacks directly to the AV spots on the N64 board or whereever it is your video signal is, no toggle needed Smile .

Btw, how will it know whether it is an av in or av out? I don't totally get that.
And the whole controller thing, that sound like it would work but I think you would still need a switch to enable/disable the P1. If you could get back to me on that... PM?
I looked on the k-mart website, they dont even acknoledge they exsist? Anyway, there are no k-marts near me, but I'll snoop around. Does anybody know how much the shipping is for the psone screen at ebgames? 'cause those are like $30 bucks, not bad.
Thx for the advice everyone.

[Weebl]

Shipping is just a couple bucks if you go for the EBgames saver option. Oh, and if you're buying a PSone screen from there, use the code PPLAY15 and get 15% off!

[daguuy]

for AV in/out, it's really easy. all you do is wire you RCA jacks directly to the AV spots on the N64 board or whereever it is your video signal is, no toggle needed Smile .

Btw, how will it know whether it is an av in or av out? I don't totally get that.

here's what's up with the AV without a toggle switch:

a) when there's nothing plugged in, the video will just go from the N64 to the psone screen.

b) when you plug it into a TV, the video from the N64 will go to the screen and tv. to make it just go to the TV and not the LCD screen, just put a separate power switch on the screen.

c) when you plug it into a video source, the video coming from the source will go to the screen but you should put a separate power switch on the N64 to turn just it off because i don't know what'll happen if you give the screen 2 video surces at the same time

so i guess i forgot about those 2 separate power switches for the N64 and screen, but i'll cover that in my guide

[bucsboy]

Thanks daguuy, I get it. Btw, if anyone knows the link to the Ebgames preowned psone screen thingamabob, that would be great. I found it once before, but then my browser quit, and now I can't find it.
Thx again

[bucsboy]

Since this far I have been asking questions, here's another I forgot to mention earlier. Where can I get ribbon cable?
I G2G,
Thx

[G-force]

I only had time to skim through your post, but for the case, something like this sound right up your alley. I agree spinning buttons are bad. And if you're interested I'd be glad to help you with any questions you might have.

Gannon came up with a rather clever idea of using a SPST lever switch for switching the grounds of the built in controller and the plugged in controller. If you look on his site there is more info. I've used it and it works awesome!

Wasn't triton trying to sell some ribbon cable a while back? You might try asking him.