Introduction

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:54 pm

Assuming I read the description for "Forum 42" properly, this is the right place to post this. If not, my sincere apologies.

I am HBN. Which is short for "Half-Bred Ninja". Mainly, I mod a game called Robot Arena 2 (RA2) for PC, but I'm ready to break into the physical side of game modding: The Platform.

Mainly I want to do "Laptoping". Mostly because some of the "Portables" I've seen are about the size of a small laptop, and I figure: "If its going to be that big anyway, I might as well have a large screen to match.". However, I wouldn't mind turning my old SNES (standard, not mini) into a handheld.

I've never done this sort of thing before, but I'm confident I can do it. My current list of laptops I want to do are as follows:

N64
GameCube
PS2

This list is sure to grow, but right now, I think I'm already over my head when it comes to cost (Special thanks to the "wonderful" condition of the Michigan economy). I'm working with some good friends of mine who might be able to donate some old systems and equipment.

Any tips, or old (but working) equipment you can give me, would be greatly GREATLY appreciated (Both are equally important). But I want it clear that by no means am I demanding, or implying that you should give me equipment. Its totally up to you.

That about covers it, I think. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

--HBN

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 11:13 pm

Welcome! I suggest you don't start with the N64, they break easily once out of their shell.

The PS2 needs some mods for proper colour I think, but I don't know much of anything.

I would start off with the GCN, if you absolutely HAD to pick one from that list.

Really, though, you should start with something cheap like a NOAC portable (NES-on-a-chip).

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 11:26 pm

Hey Kurt. Thanks for the tip. Obviously you know what your talking about...but...(no offense, lol), I'm the kind of person to look at a challenge and say "Bring it on!". Granted, that attitude has given me much pain in the past, but its also taught me many life lessons.

That all being said, I will consider what you've said. For now, I actually gotta go for the night.

Peace.

project_failure · Post by **project_failure** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 11:51 pm

Welcome to the forums. I agree with kurt that your first project should be something cheap and easy. Staying away from n64s is a good idea.

Post by **Triton** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:15 am

i would reccomend not starting with n64! as a vetran member of benheck (who started with n64, this was before we knew better) i have personally killed 5 of them, ben himself has killed a few even! they are fragile as hell! snes or a famiclone of some sort are a great place to start. gamecube is pretty sturdy too but would not make a very good laptop because o the tickenss of the disc rive, its over an inch and a quarter thick!

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:07 am

True, but might I point out that old PS2s also break fairly easy when they come out of their shells (IMO) and they are not very great portable material. Slim PS2s look pretty freakin small, and you could probably do some cool things with one. Afaik, few people have actually torn theirs down and provided decent documentation and pictures. If you need major support from us it might not be the best route.

Gamecubes are also not that laptop friendly, depending on how you look at it. The parts are very thick, and the thick disc drive is top loading. Of course, your perfect laptop might be 3 inches thick. There are also whispers of flash memory adapters that replace the disc drive so you can play roms.

Given the three choices Id pick the N64 to turn into a lightweight thin laptop type thingy. If you can follow instructions, theres like 20 people here who can recite the entire process (btw use search).

All of these choices have their difficulties, but N64's are like $5 a pound. Just sayin. Also, None of these systems have a keyboard and only one has first-party wireless controllers - why a laptop?

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:32 pm

The PS2 can use many devices via its USB ports. Mice, keyboards, flash drives (With certain support equipment). For the PS2 laptop, I would simply use of of those USB's combined with one of those super thin folding laptop keyboards.

The other systems, I regret to say (due to it sucks that they don't have them) that you are correct. But a laptop mod doesn't require a keyboard. Broken down, a laptop mod simply means size, and portability of a laptop. Why a laptop, rather than a handheld? I explained that in my first post, but I'll put it here for your convenience: "...some of the "Portables" I've seen are about the size of a small laptop, and I figure: "If its going to be that big anyway, I might as well have a large screen to match."..."

The "HBN64" laptop would look as follows (Threw this together in MSPaint in about 10 minutes.) :

As you can see, the only thing it does is resemble a laptop in shape, and mobility. This isn't measured, or scaled in ANY way, so if its off...I expect it to be. Its also extremely simplified in both look and function.

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:37 pm

So you are leaning towards n64 then?

If the only reason to make a laptop is so that it has a big screen, then how about this idea: Just make a tablet. I mean if theres no keyboard, just put the screen there and forget about messing around with designing a lid and hinge. You could make some kind of stand so the angle can be adjusted like a computer monitor. (I have an interesting design in my head that I could illustrate if you want)

Then of course, you will have your screen exposed (no closey), but most people around here do that anyways (and hey, PSP).

Just throwing my idea out there.

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:54 pm

I know everyone's trying to save you some grief, HBN, but I say go for the N64. If you're careful you'll be fine.

Welcome to the forums. I look forward to your future posts. Make sure to post plenty of pictures for us to oogle

Post by **CronoTriggerfan** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:01 pm

Welcome to the forums, man! You automatically get respect points for an awesome first post, you're a FAR cut above the norm as far as newbies go. And amen to the wonderful Michigan economy, man, I've had the "fortune" of living here for the past 16 and a half years, and I must say, something needs to be done.

But as far as your portable aspirations go, the N64 and Gamecube are definitely doable, with the PS2 being a cut above the rest. I think that you can do either, but make sure you have a good knowledge of basic electronics and a steady soldering hand, and you should be fine. You might find the transition from an easier system (NOAC, SNES, etc. ) to N64 or GC much easier, but go with your passion. Portablize the system you want to, and hopefully it all works out in the end.

Good luck, looking forward to see your progress!

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:48 pm

Thank you all for the welcome, and advice. Rest assured it will be taken to heart. And I do hope I'll get more.

Together, perhaps, I can make something worthwhile and fun.

For the record, I've never felt so welcomed. It means a lot. Thank you, again.

Shadeslayer · Post by **Shadeslayer** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:49 pm

Welcome. I hope this goes well for you. I like your idea on the 64 laptop. Looks pretty cool. I have never made a portable myself (

) cause I don't have time but love checking out other peoples projects. Hope it works for you.

Post by **marshallh** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:29 pm

I don't know why the N64 gets such a bad rap - my first portable was a N64, and I didn't fry it (still haven't to this day)

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:32 pm

Well this is a nice little community. We all know each other (virtually, of course) and since most of us are nerds that don't leave our basements (

), we've got quite a few regulars. You might even call us a big group of friends/family type people on this website. Someone else can say that much better, I'm sure.

You may want to jump right in to things, but I spent $500 jumping in to things on my first portable. I HIGHLY suggest starting out with something cheap, because you *WILL*, without a doubt, break something or screw something up royally with your first portable, and something WILL need replacing. And it's better if you're spending $15 replacing a system than $50.

Something to keep in mind.

HBN · Post by **HBN** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:40 pm

That data has been fully loaded into my artificial neural network, Kurt (

). Thanks.