Hi

Hey, making some projects from my book? Got a question about something? Wanna share what you've done? Here's the place - go for it!

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gamefreak11
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Hi

Post by gamefreak11 » Mon Oct 03, 2005 11:26 pm

I'm 13 years old, and like the idea of changing my old ps1 into a portable.
However, I'm woundering if this will be too complicated for me. Do you need to know about motherboards, and stuff, or does the book explain everything you need to do?
Also, will it really cost $100+, or can I make it cheaper?
Thanks

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Sparkfist
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Post by Sparkfist » Tue Oct 04, 2005 9:15 am

The price is if you bought everything listed in the book. Now very few (as to say non) newbies make CNC cases or handbuilt cases as nice as the ones Ben makes.

You can save money on the system you use (dont use the big gray Playstations), screen and case. For example the PSone cost an average $30, a Hip Gear Screen (2.6" lcd) cost average $30, and just use a Radioshack project box (hell if I know the cost)... Would cost you less then $100.

However the time and money you invest dictate how well your system looks and works. For example it will be very taxing to get a (older) Playstation to run off batters. Reason being is that it takes more power, requires 8v and 3.5v where as the PSone can take a simple 7v+ (use a 7.2v batter) input to run.

I hope this helps you.
vskid wrote:Nerd = likes school, does all their homework, dies if they don't get 100% on every assignment
Geek = likes technology, dies if the power goes out and his UPS dies too

I am a geek.

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Post by atkafighter » Tue Oct 04, 2005 9:34 am

All I did was a casemod really. It came out really cheap, and easy if you use the Psone LCD. It depends how fancy you want to make it. Frankenstiening it would cost less, and of course CNC casing it is very expensive.

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Post by bicostp » Tue Oct 04, 2005 1:17 pm

Well, going to places like GameStop and Best Buy aren't the only options for parts. You can always try some secondhand stores or thrift stores. Here's a triangular chart to illustrate my portablizing theory:

<img src="http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/7334/triangle3sy.gif">

I suggest you print this picture out, lay it on the table, and place a dime on it. If money is a more important factor, moe the dime towards "money". Same deal for "Quality" and "Time". The further away the dime is from each factor, the more taxed that factor is. For example, if you want to make it high quality, it will cost more money and take more time. But if you want it to be really cheap, then it would take more time (for finding bargain parts), and not be as high-quality (cheap case parts).

DISCLAIMER: This chart doesn't factor in parts you already own or the tools you hae access to. It assumes what the book assumes: You have to buy all the parts because you don't have them.

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gamefreak11
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Post by gamefreak11 » Tue Oct 04, 2005 2:36 pm

I have the newer ps1, not the old big one.

I'm thinking about making one for around $60 dollars at most.
Is the plastic covering/case thing what costs most of the project?

I want to spend a lot of time on this, but I don't want to spend too much money.

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Post by Sparkfist » Tue Oct 04, 2005 3:27 pm

Well this is an idea.

Buy a Hip Gear Screen. If you can find a way to mount it the PSone's case (best bet would be the back). From there Frankestein everything else like the controller and batteries. It wont be pretty (hell it will likey cause children to cry) but it will be working and fuctional. This way will also help you avoid the trouble with covering the cd (dont want those deadly lasers getting out and killing people).

Good luck

@Biscostp, thats a nice chart(?). Maybe we can add that to the long list of t-shirt ideas we have.
vskid wrote:Nerd = likes school, does all their homework, dies if they don't get 100% on every assignment
Geek = likes technology, dies if the power goes out and his UPS dies too

I am a geek.

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gamefreak11
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Post by gamefreak11 » Tue Oct 04, 2005 5:05 pm

Excuse my newbiness, but could you explain what "Frankesteining" is?

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Sparkfist
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Post by Sparkfist » Tue Oct 04, 2005 7:18 pm

vskid wrote:Nerd = likes school, does all their homework, dies if they don't get 100% on every assignment
Geek = likes technology, dies if the power goes out and his UPS dies too

I am a geek.

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daguuy
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Post by daguuy » Tue Oct 04, 2005 7:24 pm

here's how you make a really cheap one:

1. get broken PSone screen for cheap and fix it
2. psone (the newer kind)
3. frankencase
4. use original controller instead of breadboard and tact switches
5. spend a bunch of $ on a battery
ImageImage

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