COMPLETE 12.30.2010 core grafx into a USB hard disc

[bigsanta]

I sat last night looking at those nes cart turned into a usb hard disc and thought ok,i have an empty core grafx case so lets see what we can do with it.

This is what i have done so far;

2.5" sata disc and usb interface pcb fits ok inside case with the usb socket facing out towards the space where the expansion connector goes.
Orange PC engine Expansion port cover fits into the exp port and so covers the rear ,so usb disc is completely hidden when it's not in use.
USB disc's ac adapter socket has been removed and relocated to where the original core grafx's ac socket would be.
Core grafx's controller din socket is also detached ,now glued and left in it's usual position.
HU card pcb has been detached and is no also fixed back to it's normal position,so a HU card can be inserted as normal just for appearances sake.
The core's green plastic power switch cover will remain fixed in place also.

Now i just need to fix the disc and usb pcb in place and maybe fit the original av din socket back to it's original place  and decide on whether to have just the one or two LEDs for HDD activity  and that it finished in just over 24 hours .

I've also been toying with the idea of chopping off the usb male cable end and wiring that to either the av din or the joypad's din socket and then making a new usb cable to plug into that and into the pc ?

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Some poor pictures
Joypad port and green on/off switch cover still intact

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Expansion port cover(pc engine one).

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Av din socket in place

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HU card connector also in place.

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Ac adapter jack moved from original place on the usb sata pcb ,to where it would normally be found on the core grafx.

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Mini usb access point now showing.
With the case closed,the pcb does not have any room to move around inside,so there was no need to fix anything down.

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Finished project ,with usb cable and a 5 Vcc switched power supply attached.A joypad and scart cable can also be plugged in just for show.

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Room lights turned off ,iso increased to show the disc access light working .this is the led behind the joypad port .

[NFG]

I like the idea of this.  If I were you though I'd have gone for a bus-powered device so you didn't need the extra power cord.  Then maybe leave the exp bus connector intact, with a smaller drive/adaptor inside maybe?  Then you could have a system that didn't look any different from the outside (and would probably weigh about the same...)  Sneak a USB connector into the AV port, and both lights out the controller port. 

Ideas for next mod.  =D

[bigsanta]

I like the idea of this.  If I were you though I'd have gone for a bus-powered device so you didn't need the extra power cord.  Then maybe leave the exp bus connector intact, with a smaller drive/adaptor inside maybe?  Then you could have a system that didn't look any different from the outside (and would probably weigh about the same...)  Sneak a USB connector into the AV port, and both lights out the controller port. 

Ideas for next mod.  =D

Good gear son !

This is the strange thing about this sata adapter,they have gone for using only a separate  power supply to power both 2.5 and the bigger hdds (they do need 12 Vcc and 5Vcc for those bigger sata hdds ?),completely removing bus power to power the small 2.5" sata drives.Stupidity or cost savings ? i chose the former reason.

On those tips,it's something i could stil easily do,but i would wire the usb output to the av din ,then for the din output ,just create a new lead with a din plug on one end and a normal usb male plug on the other end .Exp connector might be the straw that broke the camels back due to space .