Turn your old NES cartridge into an external hard drive, just like this guy did, except with better step-by-step instruction.
I altered the built-in LED so that I could have custom red lights coming out the bottom. This is an optional customization; if you aren't comfortable with cutting some wires and adding your own stuff, don't do it.
Necessary supplies:
NES cartridge (one that you can bear to open up to take away its playability)
External hard drive - a SMALL one (4.5"x2.75" bare, about 5"x3.5" with the case on)
Screwdrivers, of various sizes, philips and flat head
Dremel or other multi-tool
Electrical tape
Marker
Might-need supplies:
Pencil & paper
Tin snips
Knife
Optional supplies:
2 small LEDs, I chose red to fit with the NES color pallet
Hot glue gun
Soldering iron
Solder
Hookup wire
Wire clippers
Helping hands (not your little brother's hands, a stand with clips for holding things while you solder)
Oh yes, and I am so NOT liable if you screw up your hard drive. Perform the operation at your own risk.
I altered the built-in LED so that I could have custom red lights coming out the bottom. This is an optional customization; if you aren't comfortable with cutting some wires and adding your own stuff, don't do it.
Necessary supplies:
NES cartridge (one that you can bear to open up to take away its playability)
External hard drive - a SMALL one (4.5"x2.75" bare, about 5"x3.5" with the case on)
Screwdrivers, of various sizes, philips and flat head
Dremel or other multi-tool
Electrical tape
Marker
Might-need supplies:
Pencil & paper
Tin snips
Knife
Optional supplies:
2 small LEDs, I chose red to fit with the NES color pallet
Hot glue gun
Soldering iron
Solder
Hookup wire
Wire clippers
Helping hands (not your little brother's hands, a stand with clips for holding things while you solder)
Oh yes, and I am so NOT liable if you screw up your hard drive. Perform the operation at your own risk.
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Signing UpStep 1: Open Her Up
Older cartridges have flat head screws. "Newer" ones have custom screws which probably require a "socket wrench" type thing to remove. I do no have this "socket wrench" type thing, so I decided to open up the old, crappy cartridge.
I've heard that melting the tip of an appropriately-sized plastic thing with a lighter and sticking it in the hole to let it cool will result in a little tool that you can use to unscrew the custom screws. I'm not responsible if you end up melting a Knex piece to your hand.
Anyways, unscrew the thing, whichever way you need to do it.
And remember to save ALL of the screws!
Open the cartridge and take out the little circuit board. Smaller than you thought it would be, huh? Keep the cartridge; you might use it in some wacky art project some day.
I've heard that melting the tip of an appropriately-sized plastic thing with a lighter and sticking it in the hole to let it cool will result in a little tool that you can use to unscrew the custom screws. I'm not responsible if you end up melting a Knex piece to your hand.
Anyways, unscrew the thing, whichever way you need to do it.
And remember to save ALL of the screws!
Open the cartridge and take out the little circuit board. Smaller than you thought it would be, huh? Keep the cartridge; you might use it in some wacky art project some day.
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With a lighter or another heat source (AH! Fire HOT! :O), I gently heat up that tapered tip until it's slightly soft and malleable (and not dripping plastic goo. Plastic goo that can cling to your skin hurts). The first time, I tend to pinch it together to make that narrower and ready for shaping. Then I heat it a little more, and press it down against what I need to unscrew, hold it a few seconds, and then lift up.
Let the plastic cool!
Have a refreshing drink or something, give it a few minutes, and come back.
And there you go, impromptu 'screwdriver' of sorts. :)
Good for when you can't afford the 2 week wait for the part to be shipped. :)
I think its time we start making cartridge-like flash drives on console-like computers, and devise new plug shapes for USB to give the retro console aesthetics; thereby creating a new market for gaming PCs in a new form.