HBN64 - N64 "Laptop"

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:37 pm

Cool. Thanks for your help. Got one quick question though:

What about the RAM? Did it survive? And would testing it be a bad idea?

Neildo_64 · Post by **Neildo_64** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:21 pm

If you mean the expansion pack, it should be fine.

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:06 pm

Cool.

Moving on to an actual update:

Haven't plugged the system in yet to see if it is, indeed, fine. But I've moved on to planning another part of the same project.

I figure, if I'm gonna have a custom Laptop'd N64. I might as well do something special for USING it, right? So. With the help of old parts, I'm building a prototype custom P1 controller for it. After the prototype is done, circuitry tested, and cracks/bumps smoothed out, I'm gonna pull the components out, and use it as the case-mold for the actual controller.

As the material will match the Laptop case, I cannot yet tell you what it is.

Quick question: I'm having a hard time finding the proper DC/DC converter. Anybody know how I could possibly build one? Or have one built for me? Or find the right one?

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:26 pm

I think this thread just a few posts below yours explains it pretty well. Go to Texas Instrument's website and order a couple of free samples. Mine came in the mail today.

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:48 pm

Heres the kicker on that. I don't have a "professional sounding" email.

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:02 pm

Then make one up. They're free, you know.

Kyo · Post by **Kyo** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:24 am

somebody should try to get a free sample with "iluvpokemon78@hotmail.com"

but seriously, an email with your first and last name (eventually seperated by a period) should do

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:46 am

The problem with that is I don't have one, and cant seem to get one. The most professional one I could use is the email provided by HughesNet with our internet service (I know it sucks. Its all we can get). Which would be @ hughes . net , I believe.

Got another question, though: I'm not using a PS1 screen. Will that effect what DC/DC I need? I'm trying to get my hands on an actual 15" LCD TV. Most I've looked at run on 12vdc, which I think would be ideal. Maybe I'm wrong?

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:01 am

Kyo wrote:somebody should try to get a free sample with "iluvpokemon78@hotmail.com"

but seriously, an email with your first and last name (eventually seperated by a period) should do

I tried a while back to get free samples, my e-mail address is my name followed by @aol.com . They don't like this, even though lots of firms in the UK use AOL. TI also didn't like the fact I lived in the UK.

Never mind, I got a few from khaag a couple of months back.

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:19 am

HBN wrote:Got another question, though: I'm not using a PS1 screen. Will that effect what DC/DC I need? I'm trying to get my hands on an actual 15" LCD TV. Most I've looked at run on 12vdc, which I think would be ideal. Maybe I'm wrong?

No, that really won't make a difference.

As for this silly email business, I used my gmail account with no problems.

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:20 am

HBN wrote:The problem with that is I don't have one, and cant seem to get one. The most professional one I could use is the email provided by HughesNet with our internet service (I know it sucks. Its all we can get). Which would be @ hughes . net , I believe.

Ummmmmm, *cough*. Then you can get yourself a real email account.

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:13 pm

Gmail worked perfectly. Part has been ordered.

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:07 pm

Updates (2):

Part received. Dang, this thing is tiny!

I harbor good news as well. I plugged my N64 motherboard in the proper areas, and booted it up. All seems to be in working order. I didn't leave it on for long, because I have the heatsinks off, and I don't want it to over heat.

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:09 pm

That would be sad if you lost it again!

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:08 am

Incredibly sad, indeed.

Another Update:

Currently, the custom controller idea has been shelved do to lack of supplies. But when its done, you'll know it. I made a slight change in original plan, which was to make the final product from the same material as the Laptop case. Nope. Not anymore. Steel. Don't worry, I'll be sure to insulate the electronics properly. One way to do this is to put a "healthy" coating of Liquid Electrical Tape on the inside of the case. I'm open to other suggestions.

Its also planned to have an uncanny similarity to a square NES controller. With the added pleasure of extra buttons and a joystick. It'll be engraved with my "HBN64" logo on the front.

Its a basic design. Very simple, and clean. And not everybody will like it. But if its half as comfortable as the mock up I made is...I'll love it. And it is, after all, the "P1" controller.

System wide progress is...minimal. However, my parts list is growing smaller. I still need batteries (Going with high amperage GoldPeak (GP) Nickel-Metal Hydrides), a screen, case stuff, 100 Âµf Electrolytic Capacitor, 2k Ω resistor. If I missed something, or am wrong PLEASE tell me. Preferably before I make a mistake that kills something. Thanks.

A list of what I have is as follows:

Detailed plan (Its in my head. Stupid place to store it (Seeing as I constantly forget stuff), but I can't seem to put it on paper).
N64 Motherboard.
TI PTH08000WAZ (I triple checked to see that this is the part I needed....Please tell me I'm right!).
Wires...Lots of wires.
Support Equipment for the System (games, controllers, power cords and AV cables).

I think that covers my bases. Thanks for reading.