I wanted to build a unique computer to hook up to my TV to watch movies. I searched the Internet for a while trying to get an idea of what I could make it out of and finally ran across the 1979 Kenner Millennium Falcon. While I was searching I found only a few other people that have modded this, one was a PS3 and a couple were turned into an original Xbox. So as far as I know I'm the first to put a PC inside one of these. It took a little planning and time searching for parts but it finally all came together. There are a few additions I'd like to make in the future: I'd like to add a slot load Blu-ray player, more LEDs, and give it a nice paint job but I'm not in a rush to do them yet. I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I do.
***I guess I should've mentioned this to begin with that I didn't use a Millennium Falcon that was is good shape. I had to give it a bath in bleach to remove a bunch of stains and the smells that went along with them. I had to reinforce the rear feet because they could no longer support it's own weight let alone the weight of a computer inside it. There were also parts missing that I had to find to make it whole again.***
***I guess I should've mentioned this to begin with that I didn't use a Millennium Falcon that was is good shape. I had to give it a bath in bleach to remove a bunch of stains and the smells that went along with them. I had to reinforce the rear feet because they could no longer support it's own weight let alone the weight of a computer inside it. There were also parts missing that I had to find to make it whole again.***
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Signing UpStep 1: Materials Needed
1979 Kenner Millennium Falcon (I kept an eye on eBay for a while so I could get one at a decent price)
Han Solo and Chewbacca Action Figures (I chose the 1978 Kenner Large Head Han Solo so I could use him as the power switch and used the 1977 Kenner Chewbacca, I also found these guys on eBay)
Mini ITX motherboard (I used Foxconn H67S LGA 1155)
CPU (I used Intel Core i3-2100T I chose this one because it's low profile and doesn't stick up as high as the normal version.)
PSU (I used picoPSU-160-XT and 192w AC-DC Power Adapter, 12v 16A) (This is the component that took the longest to find)
RAM (I used G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB))
HDD (I used OCZ Vertex Series 30GB Internal Solid State Drive) ( I used the 30gb because I'm only using this for streaming movies and music, Everything I access is either from mapped network drives or on the Internet)
6 x 40mm Fans (I used two 40mm black fans and four 40mm blue LED fans)
6 Port Fan Hub (I used Sunbeam Multi Fan Power Port)
Plexiglass cut to size of Motherboard (You can get this at your local hardware store and usually if asked they will cut to size needed)
Motherboard Standoffs (However many your motherboard supports – Mine was four)
24 x Fan Screws (I used Black Fan Screws)
Miscellaneous cables (This all depends on what you want to put in to it but here’s a list of what I used)
1 x 3 Pin Fan Power Y Cable
1 x 4 PIN Molex Adapter TO 3 PIN Fan Adapter
2 x 3 ft. Panel-Mount USB 2.0 A Male to A Female Cable
1 x 3 feet HDMI Panel Mount Cable
1 x 18” Sata to Right Angle Sata (I already had one of these but you can get them pretty much anywhere)
1 x 2 Pin HDD LED and 1 x 2 Pin Power Switch (I already had both of these from an old PC case but here’s a link to a kit you can buy ATX Case Replacement Wire Kit)
1 x Molex 4 Pin on/off Power Switch 12V DC
CAT5 cable or Wi-Fi adapter (I used a cable because I wanted a fast connection for streaming)
Tools Needed:
Dremel Tool
Drill and bits
Phillips Head Screwdriver
Epoxy
Superglue
Hot Glue Gun and a glue stick
Sandpaper
Velcro strips
Cable strippers
RJ45 Crimpers
Punchdown Tool w/ 110 blade
RJ45 Keystone Jack (Almond color to match the Falcon)
RJ45 modular plug
Han Solo and Chewbacca Action Figures (I chose the 1978 Kenner Large Head Han Solo so I could use him as the power switch and used the 1977 Kenner Chewbacca, I also found these guys on eBay)
Mini ITX motherboard (I used Foxconn H67S LGA 1155)
CPU (I used Intel Core i3-2100T I chose this one because it's low profile and doesn't stick up as high as the normal version.)
PSU (I used picoPSU-160-XT and 192w AC-DC Power Adapter, 12v 16A) (This is the component that took the longest to find)
RAM (I used G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB))
HDD (I used OCZ Vertex Series 30GB Internal Solid State Drive) ( I used the 30gb because I'm only using this for streaming movies and music, Everything I access is either from mapped network drives or on the Internet)
6 x 40mm Fans (I used two 40mm black fans and four 40mm blue LED fans)
6 Port Fan Hub (I used Sunbeam Multi Fan Power Port)
Plexiglass cut to size of Motherboard (You can get this at your local hardware store and usually if asked they will cut to size needed)
Motherboard Standoffs (However many your motherboard supports – Mine was four)
24 x Fan Screws (I used Black Fan Screws)
Miscellaneous cables (This all depends on what you want to put in to it but here’s a list of what I used)
1 x 3 Pin Fan Power Y Cable
1 x 4 PIN Molex Adapter TO 3 PIN Fan Adapter
2 x 3 ft. Panel-Mount USB 2.0 A Male to A Female Cable
1 x 3 feet HDMI Panel Mount Cable
1 x 18” Sata to Right Angle Sata (I already had one of these but you can get them pretty much anywhere)
1 x 2 Pin HDD LED and 1 x 2 Pin Power Switch (I already had both of these from an old PC case but here’s a link to a kit you can buy ATX Case Replacement Wire Kit)
1 x Molex 4 Pin on/off Power Switch 12V DC
CAT5 cable or Wi-Fi adapter (I used a cable because I wanted a fast connection for streaming)
Tools Needed:
Dremel Tool
Drill and bits
Phillips Head Screwdriver
Epoxy
Superglue
Hot Glue Gun and a glue stick
Sandpaper
Velcro strips
Cable strippers
RJ45 Crimpers
Punchdown Tool w/ 110 blade
RJ45 Keystone Jack (Almond color to match the Falcon)
RJ45 modular plug
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• • • Fuzzee Dee OUT • • • }~{ <> }~{ ^~^ :->
Please told me you saved the box! It is probably worth more than the toy to collectors....
1) Put it on a shelf.
2) Try to repair as much as possible... still wouldn't be right.
3) Radically modify it and do something new.
4) Chuck it in the dustbin.
We chose option #3... installed modern electronics and LEDs... and now it is getting played with by a whole new generation. (Gave it to my friend Tim... he reworked it.) I will admit that it was odd seeing a picture of the disassembled parts in the dishwasher... but in the end... much better.
And for this project... the same applies... a worn and tired toy becomes something new and exciting. Two thumbs up!
If it had been mint-in-box you would have been hanged however. Just sayin'.
(grin)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxx6uRndvu8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNoSz51JWQg
That was my jaw hitting the floor!
Man, I can't decide whether to be horrified at the sacrilege of cutting up an original Millenium Falcon toy, or overjoyed at the final product.
Total nerdgasm!
Do or Do Not, Padawan!