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I have always been a computer hardware enthusiast, but after receiving a very old (sub 200mhz proc) working computer, I figured it was about time to purchase a Dremel and start modding. I had a definite concept behind this computer....a clean looking Nintendo themed box that would serve as my NES, and hopefully SNES computer. While I still haven't gotten around to making this into an emulator machine (my laptop more than does the job, and it can hook up to a TV), I did complete this small mod.
This mod was a great learning experience to have under my belt before attempting serious mods for good computers. It was also tons of fun. I made a hell of a lot of mistakes, but who cares, the computer was free and it's most likely never going to be used. Anyway, as this was my first mod, I naturally took tons of pictures. I found this was very unnecessary, and will include very little of the design/construction process in this thread. After all, everyone just looks for the final product anyway =P
On to the mod...
I started this mod off right by not photographing the original box. Oh well, out with the old in with the new...
I just bought a dremel, and decided to cut a small trial window before cutting anything else.
As you might be able to gather from my dremel technique, I suck. Well, the window was getting cut, but I was using the entire stock of cutting discs included in the kit. I later learned you should get a groove going, then go over it again and again until it gets through. This job should have taken me about 2-4 discs, but it ending up costing an entire pack of 20. ****, well whatever, on to the side panel window.
Being the genius I am, I decided to be safe and wear some gloves...oh, well I guess fingerless gloves will do the job. One tip I found from doing this mod: Don't work at night. The job was generally poorer, but it still came out alright. I used some sandpaper I found around the house and gave it a half-assed sand job.
I then taped off the buttons and LEDs from the front and painted the grey case white. Woooo...big improvement......not really, but it adds a little to the nintendo theme.
I then decided to stencil two things onto the case: ^this mushroom and the famous Nintendo logo. I didn't take any pictures of the Nintendo logo because I messed up while doing it. To do these stencils I originally tried to simply print the design on some printer paper, use an exacto knife to cut them out, then tape them to the side of the case as best I could. This did not work. I then had to repaint the entire case and try again. This time I went to Kinkos and had my designs printed out on sticky paper. I then cut the designs out and used the. This did not work well. The results were average to poor. The edges were not crisp and slightly smudgy. I guess that's what I get for not using any primer or clearcoat on any of my paintning. I know proudly employ both.
The interior of this aging beauty was a mess, ridden with dust and all sorts of crap I mistakenly blew out all over my room. I decided, because this mod ment little to me and need to be as fast and affordable as possible, to use some electrical tape and my trusty knife to make some homeade sleeving. It came out alright, but I havn't plugged it into a monitor since I modded it, so I could have destroyed all my cables. Whatever, don't care, never gunna use this computer.
With the money saved from making my own sleeving, I decided to purchase $10's worth of cold cathodes. Thanks to the awsome deals at svc.com, I got a 12" dual kit and a 4" inch dual kit to suit my needs.
Looking......alright. Let's move on. I decided it needed more, so i spray painted the front buttons red and added a bunch of Kinkos-printed sticky paper decals. That ba-bomb is actually ontop of the cd-rom drive. I put a green mushrom, to signify the new life of the computer being turned on, next to the power button, and a Bullet Bill on the front. Yea, I think that'll do.....Behold the final product.
So that's that. I was satisfied with my work, and sadly had to leave it as soon as it was done. I did this mod over spring break, and completed it in about one week. I didn't even have the free time to boot it up and try to turn it into an emulator system for his TV (I saw that a video card with s-video out capability is only about $20-$30). Some time this summer I may touch up the paint with my exacto knife and some paint, or I may actually turn it on for something other than its glow. I will soon be posting the mod I am working on now which will hopefully show my improved experience. For now, Thanks for checking my mod out, hope you liked it.
