Ya when I built my first PC in an NES I only sold it for $200, but it wasn't the best job I had hoped, and the parts basically cost that much, so I didn't really make a profit off of it! But it was fun making it!

I think you can make so much more off of it. One, it uses all the original ports, so you can't tell if it's the real thing or not. And two, you can use the original controllers with it, which I think is the coolest thing about the mod!

Do you think you can give a little more detail on how you did the controller ports?

Yeah, I did the controller ports by ripping apart some retrousb adapters. Check out www.retrousb.com
I opened them up with my dremel, and rewired the USB to the internal header, and soldered in the connections of the original nintendo.

I actually tried bidding on it, but it looks like someone has their eye on it! I tried like 4 times in a row, and I was instantly outbid!

Beautiful project!Best I've seen!

Could this type of motherboard emulate mameplus? I guess other emulators won't be any problem?(like zsnes,nestopia, fusion>Sega)?

Yeah I have used ZSNES on this , and any other emulator would run just fine.

Okay, so I've finally gotten the main parts of the computer to build it! I got an old NES at a game store in town for $15, so that wasn't that bad. I did realize though, that I didn't have a power adapter for the PicoPSU, so I just ordered that today. I also got 2 Retrousb's from Retrozone.com, so those will also be here in a few days.

At least I can get things figured out with the Case, and format the HDD.

Question. I know that your motherboard at S-Video out, so that you could plug it into a TV, but I was wondering if I used a VGA to S-Video, if it would have the same effect?

Hiya, I'm the lucky one who purchased this bad boy! Yeah I wish I could build my own, but lack of dremel and soldering tools and basic electronics 101 preventing me from possibly zapping $200+ of equipment. Just wanted to say thanks for your ingenuity and hard work!

Just got the package today. Gotta love USPS. Box was tossed over my patio fence onto concrete floor with the words "This side down" on it. Go figure

Before firing it up, I opened it up to ensure nothing came loose or broke. For the most part, it is good, but I did notice that the cable leading from the SVideo -> RF jack came loose on the RF side, so I'll need to re-solder that (just going to buy a soldering iron tomorrow, as other projects have come my way that I figured might as well). I tried booting the system via VGA, but no go, but that was with the SVideo cable still installed, and I know how some systems will override VGA when another video source is connected (not sure if this is one of them).

Don't have much time to mess with it now, but I'm going to try to reset BIOS, carefully reseat connections. As far as I can tell, the system is not booting as I do not hear hard drive activity (unless there is no Windows on this, which I can fully understand).

Well, here's hoping... I'll report back results. Can't wait to get it going! Overall though, it really is cool and will fool a lot of people!

Well, however the USPS treated this box, it wasn't good. I can't get the board to POST at all I disconnected and reseated all cables, the battery, tried using direct SVideo and VGA out, no change. I found the power LED was in backwards, so now that is blinking. Checked on Intel's site for the product manual, but its standard fare from other other boards. I don't have any DDRII memory to test. The only thing I have noticed is the tall capacitor next to the heatsink/fan and its power cable seems to be loose to the touch. Other capacitors seem to be OK. I did repair the loose connection between the RF jack and the SVideo adapter cable.

I'll probably have to call Intel to get the motherboard replaced. Damn post office, ruined my fun weekend. Can you give me a date of purchase in case Intel asks for it when I call? Would be much appreciated.

Me again :p

I went to Fry's to see if they had the board, but they only had the version without Svideo. I was looking at it and noticed that there were 2 capacitors next to the heat sink, where mine only has one. I found a good close up that particular board, the D201GLY2A:

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/sho ... 0&format=0

Just to compare, I found another one of the one installed, the D201GLY2TA:
http://www.2cpu.co.kr/ybbs/uploads/@ybb ... _93449.jpg

When I look close at mine, I noticed that there are two stubs where the connections to the capacitors are made, where the part next to it is soldered over. Makes me suspect something broke off, but I could not find any pieces floating around in the NES or the box.

Now,, remembering I don't know much about electronics, just wanted to know if this was removed by you for the mod, or if it was there. Tried to look at your screenshots and as far as I can tell, I only see one capacitor, but the cable is covering where the other one would be.

Thanks for your assistance next time you come around.

Edit: one last thing I tried. Connected the system via direct SVideo cable to a regular CRT (was trying to connect to my LCD TV, which is where it will be connected. When I powered the unit on, the TV was a black screen with random flashes a a white stripe on the screen. I also noticed that the flashing corresponded with the power light flashing on the NES (almost like the old school flash of the NES ironically).

Going to call Intel on Tuesday (I''ll try Monday, but pretty sure they will be closed) to see if I can get a replacement under warranty.

HI JelloMan, I didn't see your messages until today. That's disappointing that the package didnt arrive there safely. To answer your questions, no I did not remove any of the capacitors on the board at all for purposes of the mod. I can get you the receipts and details of anything you need. The board was purchased at www.mini-box.com on aug 8, I can forward you any receipts you need. If you have any spare power supplies laying around, you could try those with the board in case it is the PSU or connector that got knocked loose.

Yeah actually I've thought about swapping power supplies as well, but the way I have everything tied down in my case, its not feasible. Going to take it in with me to work tomorrow and see if I can try there (do computer repair for a school district). Maybe can swap it out at mini-box? I'll check their policies and post back.

Thanks for responding back, I figured you were out enjoying the holiday weekend.

cbutters, I would like to congulate you on your first Nes Mod.

However, there's few thing that I'm not very fond of.

- USB to Nes controller board ( you need to explain in greater detail on how to break it open and to install it inside the case, enabling the original NES controllers to work without the extension or any tomfoolery that can be seen outside of NES case. )

- A/V plug - This should be able to be built on a board, wired, which it could be hooked to graphic card and audio card if you can WITHOUT the case modification or any matters. If you can, please, please do explain on how to do this.

- WiFi Wireless card should be able to be installed internally, using the PCI riser. Or you can just use the USB WiFi card. Or any M-ITX with integrated PCMIA controller.

- Cooling - You should be able to add the 40, 60MM fan on bottom of the case, which it could be grilled, and hidden out of slight. Top of the case have some air opening to flow in and out, so i'm sure the incoming cooling air from bottom will be blown outside of the top, or any place where exhaust would be.


I really like the idea of micro-ITX, which it works really good for anything, even if you are running on VIA C7.

**After a while of researching over the google, and i found it could be MUCH EASIER if you just mount the burner and hard drive on the top-inside of case, leaving some cooling space for entire of ITX, and more of wire works.

**Also, I found that you could throw in Firewire and 2 extra USB port in front of black plastic, once you installed the swinging door for it.

Both of the tips indicated as ** is found on this link. http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1 ... 952,00.asp
To take closer look at pictures of the mod, click here. http://www.extremetech.com/slideshow/0, ... 030,00.asp


I certainly hope this suggestion helps a lot, and looking foward for your second edition of NESPC.


Lucan

I do like the flip up front for the USB and firewire ports, but I also appreciate the work to keep things original as with cbutters' mod. I see so many NES PCs with the back panel, while practical, just looks gaudy. Yes I know, who's looking at the back, but it just leads to cable clutter, and we all know we don't need any more of that in our entertainment centers.

Missed my window to call Intel today (7am-5pm), so I'll have to try again. I noticed mini-box.com is out of stock of the board, so even arranging an RMA for an exchange may be out of the question.

Im not sure what to make of your post.
You say you arent very fond of a few things about the mod, and then describe how it should be, and basically describe my NES mod how it already is,

Usb to NES controller board, you said that it should work without being able to see anything outside the case. That is how mine is,

A/V Plug, You say it should be connected to the video card without the case modification? I didn't mod the case, I wired up an s-video out and audio out to the original controller board.

Wifi card, you say it should be installed internall through USB, that is what I did.

cooling, you say to add a fan, which doesnt make sense because it doesnt get hot enough to warrant adding a fan, especially if you are concerned about modifying and having tom-foolery on the board.

You say to add USB ports to the front, but why would I do that when I already have a USB hub underneath? And what would I use firewire for? do you want to do video editing on your nintendo?

I do use a mini-itx board, but it is NOT a VIA C7, it is a INTEL Celeron 220, which is actually a conroe-L (core 2 technology) and is very fast.

I appreciate the post, but I'm not sure what to make of it and I'm not sure you actually read how my NESPC works or saw my video.

Maybe he's trying to make an HTPC Lite in an NES case, in which case that mod may do it. I liked your way because it keeps it original and is going to surprise people when they see it. I would like to internalize a bluetooth adapter for keyboard/mouse, and if I could find a bluetooth controller for other games, but is not a huge priority. I think the USB hub is a nice gimmick as well and will be handy for multiplayer games like Super Smash Brothers.

On that note, I contacted Intel today and it seems they will do the swap for me, but they said they needed an AA number from the board. I thought it was E26314-401, but they couldn't find it (or they typed it in wrong). Anyways, I was wondering if you still had the box and could either scan or take a picture of the label that would have the UPC, serial, etc. Would be much appreciated! PM or email (came as the ebay/paypal purchase) would be fine.