Where can I learn to trim a motherboard!

thewise1 · Post by **thewise1** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:47 pm

I'm fairly new to modding, but I know how to solder, and basic things.

Although I'm pretty sure I can make an Nintendo 64 portable. The guides on the internet are very good, and the forums have god guides too.

I'm still learning how to properly make a case, I plan to use vacuum forming.

However, I don't really want to have a large square hand held shell.
I basically want to trim down the motherboard and make it smaller, but I wouldn't know how to get the leads re-soldered and I don't really know how to follow a lead to know what it does, like some leads split into two or something.

If I don't even know these basics I probably shouldn't start with an N64, but I have to start somewhere, I would like to learn how to.

So what are some good guides on modding a motherboard or learning the basics of modding.

jjhammerstein · Post by **jjhammerstein** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:01 pm

Let me find you an answer.
I'll be back shortly.

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:29 pm

1) The N64 board is pretty small. No matter what you do, your portable is going to be hella thick.

2) If you need to resolder traces, it's not worth it. Especially since...

...3) Many modern board have internal traces that would be virtually impossible for someone like you to reconnect. Nobody here has even attempted that.

4) To cut a fibreglass PCB: Score cut line with an exacto knife (and ruler, if handy, for the first one or two). Score harder. Score harder. When you're about halfway through, break it gently. If there are traces on the other side, they will all be ripped off. So score those to cut through them before you break it. But I don't recommend doing this to many things with traces.

jjhammerstein · Post by **jjhammerstein** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:46 pm

THE N64 IS A 2-LAYER BOARD, IT HAS NO INTERNAL TRACES
THE N64 IS A 2-LAYER BOARD, IT HAS NO INTERNAL TRACES
THE N64 IS A 2-LAYER BOARD, IT HAS NO INTERNAL TRACES
THE N64 IS A 2-LAYER BOARD, IT HAS NO INTERNAL TRACES
THE N64 IS A 2-LAYER BOARD, IT HAS NO INTERNAL TRACES

If you can find me a good picture of an N64 mobo, I'll show you where to cut. I can't find a good picture.

Soldering onto traces is necessary if you do any trimming at all.
You'll need to solder onto the traces for power, AV, and controller.

Joes2Silly · Post by **Joes2Silly** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:55 pm

I too am a little ticked off with people saying you can't hack up the N64 motherboard, I may just buy one to prove a point

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:33 pm

Okay, so I was wrong. I assumed that since the minisnes had internal traces, the N64 might as well.

But chopping it clean in half and soldering all the traces still isn't worth it. The big issues with the N64 is the thickness, not width.

jjhammerstein · Post by **jjhammerstein** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:36 pm

He just wants to trim it, not cut it in half.

Joes2Silly · Post by **Joes2Silly** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:19 pm

maybe if you cut it in half and make it wider it would be less thick

thewise1 · Post by **thewise1** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:24 pm

jjhammerstein wrote:THE N64 IS A 2-LAYER BOARD, IT HAS NO INTERNAL TRACES
THE N64 IS A 2-LAYER BOARD, IT HAS NO INTERNAL TRACES
THE N64 IS A 2-LAYER BOARD, IT HAS NO INTERNAL TRACES
THE N64 IS A 2-LAYER BOARD, IT HAS NO INTERNAL TRACES
THE N64 IS A 2-LAYER BOARD, IT HAS NO INTERNAL TRACES

If you can find me a good picture of an N64 mobo, I'll show you where to cut. I can't find a good picture.

Soldering onto traces is necessary if you do any trimming at all.
You'll need to solder onto the traces for power, AV, and controller.

These are the best pics I could get with my camera, hope they're good enough.

Here's the back

Thanks for the help

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:15 pm

I took all the parts off of my board, and sanded off all of the solder mask/silkscreen that was in the way

Im going to try to remember to take hi-res scans at work tomorrow

They will make it pretty clear what you can cut off... I think Ill even make them transparent and overlay them...

Rekarp · Post by **Rekarp** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:19 pm

Scroll saw with a fine metal blade works wonders on PCBs.

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:33 pm

Rekarp wrote:Scroll saw with a fine metal blade works wonders on PCBs.

Get some extra blades though cause the fiberglass makes them pretty well useless afterwards... Ive made blades completely smooth.

Rekarp · Post by **Rekarp** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:01 am

timmeh87 wrote:
Rekarp wrote:Scroll saw with a fine metal blade works wonders on PCBs.
Get some extra blades though cause the fiberglass makes them pretty well useless afterwards... Ive made blades completely smooth.

Yep, I buy cheap blades for this reason

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:20 am

As others have said, the issue is with the thickness, although as hailrazer proved, you don't need fans and can use the stock heatsinks and metal plate that comes with the N64 for cooling. This helps a bit.

This diagram probably helps, although frankly, as you are new to this, best not to try to run before you can walk and keep the board uncut....

Key: yellow - easy to trim (leave some of the shiny grounding, rest can go); red - advanced, some rewiring needed but not hard for someone with reasonable soldering skills; blue - nuts - very hard, very fine soldering needed and hours on a multimeter; probably won't work at the end. Sleepless nights! (why bother).

You don't need the console board smaller than the screen board anyway!

nitro2k01 · Post by **nitro2k01** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:04 am

What's the blue rectangle for? Has anyone ever attempted to do a N64p without cart slot? o_O