The Retro64 Worklog. NEWS: Finished! Got nice pics!

[deviouskoopa]

Don't forget to look up the melting points of lead, steel, iron, nickel, and copper... and you gotta find that "laser"

(But for real, good job dude haha)

[thewise1]

Wow nice job, I don't really know how one of those things work so I was just planning on putting 2 switches on it, one for the n64 and one for the screen. I would definitely do this if I knew how.

[deviouskoopa]

Wow nice job, I don't really know how one of those things work so I was just planning on putting 2 switches on it, one for the n64 and one for the screen. I would definitely do this if I knew how.

It's basically just a magnetic induction relay that pulls the switch closed (towards the coil) when current runs through it, judging from the schematic symbol. I think...

[Mario]

Don't forget to look up the melting points of lead, steel, iron, nickel, and copper... and you gotta find that "laser"

(But for real, good job dude haha)

Hah! I forgot that was on that paper. It's for a science project on induction, look here. I need to test several different metals to see how hot they get, I need to make sure they don't melt in the process. The "laser" thing is one of those digital thermometers that you point at something and it measures the temperature. Anyone know what it's called?

You are right about the screen switcher. The relay normally has the switch connected to one contact (where the screen is connected). Then, when current runs through the coil it becomes an electromagnet and pulls the switch away, turning the screen off. It's easy to do if you know the pinout of the relay.

[jjhammerstein]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe ... tnG=Search

[ShockSlayer]

Arrg! I've been discoverd! *runs away*

Get back to work, if I'm going to be beat, you better make sure I DIE!

Mario FTW!

SS

[Mario]

Thanks, jjhammerstein, and thanks ShockSlayer.

i rly apprciate the commntz thx a lot guyz!!!1!!1shift1! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D



Well, good news! (No, the N64 didn't come back to life.) But I did find another N64! I was telling my friend about how I fried the N64 in my portable and he said he had one and did I want it and I said sure you want money for it and he said no please take it so I went to his house and got his N64 and said thanks and here's a picture of it! *takes enormous breath*



And taken apart:

By the way, it's a revision 8 board. I wanted 3 at first for RGB, but I couldn't get it to work so rev. 8 is just fine now.

Don't worry, the case is fine. I have the necessary tools to open it without hurting the case. I might sell it, if somebody really wants it. ($30 shipped?)

Note the strategic placement of the thermal pads:



So here's the story. I took apart the N64, tested it, all good. I then
overclocked the CPU and tested it, it worked. I then proceeded to cut off
the extra pieces of board, take off the power and reset switches, remove
the AV and power connectors, and wire the cartridge slot. Without testing
between steps. Now THAT was just inviting something to happen, but on
with the story. So I had just spent a hour doing the above things, putting
on the regulator, and jumping the power switch. Everything looks good,
put in the jumper pack, pop in SM64, flip the power switch, and...




















keep going...

























you probably know what it's going to say...

















It didn't work! Is that any surprise? So I go over all my wiring,
everything's perfect, so I assume I screwed it up when I was cutting
parts off the board. I check all over the bottom of the board, looking for
missing components, and everything seems to be fine. Now I'm just
stumped. Everything is fine, why doesn't it work? Maybe I should try a
different game. I get Zelda and put it in, turn on the power, and success!
Or, so I think. The PSone screen flickers as it does when it is receiving a
picture, but nothing shows up. No audio, either. I remember the screen
won't give audio without video, so I check where the video line is
attached. Hmm, maybe the fuse is broken? I attach the wire before the
fuse, and it still doesn't work. I'm getting really frustrated now. Then I
remember something about the later model boards. I read on here that
the CPUs need the real 3.3v and not 3.1v, like the TI regulator gives with
a 2.2k resistor. So I search through all my old electronics boards and
finally find a 1.8k resistor. I install it, and the moment of truth. Drumroll,
please.

Yes, it works! Turns out that the whole time the CPU just needed more volts. So here it is powered up and running from the battery:


I might open the screen back up and put some electrical tape on the corners so that light doesn't shine through, but probably not. I think it looks fine.

So now I just need my fan, heatsinks, and tact switches. I should get all of these on Wednesday when I go with my dad. Then, if I work nonstop, I should get it done by this Friday! Woohoo! Go ahead, clap. I know you're proud of me.

[jjhammerstein]

Hey, how can you tell what revision a board is?

[Mario]

Look right above the cartridge slot. It's silk screened on there.

[Stoweboarder]

well, done...back on track

[deviouskoopa]

looks niiiiice dude... i'm still waiting on parts, this sucks. at least it gives me plenty of time to oggle over your portable

[ShockSlayer]

As soon as I saw the green case I instantly said: FAIL! I haven't heard good things about those, but as far as I'm concerned it's just a myth.

Anyways, looking good! And I certainly was astounded when you just came along and said: "Oh btw I made this auto switch for the av lol" Like it was nothing. That is what make your skillz win.

SS

[Mario]

Comments like that are the reason you're on my friends list, ShockSlayer!

You've probably noticed that I haven't updated this in a while. That's I've been working on my portable nonstop! I hope to have it done tonight. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure:
I received my stuffz!


Put the heatsinks on:


The chopped-up controller board:


I had to relocate some of the caps so it would fit:


Z button in place:


View of the back:


The gold spraypaint I got for the triforce logo (matched the Zelda cart almost exactly):


The guts:


All the wiring I got going on so far:


Look for an update (hopefully) later tonight!

[deviouskoopa]

Very nice... can't wait to see it done and fully painted!

[Stoweboarder]

interesting...useing sting to hold down heat sinks...nice