Amiga gaming in a retrogaming multiplatform machine inside a C=64

[Retrofan]

Hi:
I've started a new project: a retrogaming multiplatform machine using a Mini ITX and a broken C64, to play Amiga Forever and others.
 
I'm not sure if I can show it here, but the main emulation will be with Amiga Forever and C64 forever.
 
It was around two weeks ago that I saw a project of a mini ITX inside an A1200. By now I've got enough parts to show it, but still I will have to wait for more parts. I'm nervous waiting to have all the parts to show it working, but I thought that I don't have to be the only one desperately waiting, and that if I show it here you can be too...:madashell:
 
Well, first I bought a broken C64, that was worse than expected: very dirty color, broken plastic at the rear part, broken mobo, broken plastic tabs to close it, rusty Commodore logos...
 
Afortunately I've retrobrighted it, fixed the broken tabs and I had some nice logos.
 
I know the C64x is something discussed here. This is not the thread to talk about it, but of course I think we can compare them as they are over the same idea. I just will comment that my idea is that I, as only represent myself, I think I can make it for my own, with a broken C64, just like if I were using a keyrah, that I will be using, but instead of leaving the PC outside, I will put it inside it.
 
I've got to say that I don't think the CUSA one is well designed. I've seen how they are letting the CD in the upper part of the case, and the only way they will be opening the case will be that the Cd is inside the case (well, the original plate of the power switch and the joysticks is inside the case), but I don't like it that way. I've put it from the middle.
 
The second thing I don't like is that they aren't using that original plate, but they have put there a multicard reader.
 
The third thing: " A Keyboard Better Than the Original "
 
.....!  Jojojo... That's just 'cause they can't use the original one. If you want a keyboard better than the original you'll be buying another thing, jejeje.
 
I've been searching, and by now there isn't any project like this already working (I can be wrong, but I didn't find it), of course neither the CUSA one.
 
I've done several things in the inside, but I'm still waiting for part for it.
 
Well, this is my project:
 

 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 

 
 

 
 
I'm planning to use Windows 7 Ultimate, but will use Aros too and Amiga Forever as a bootable partition.
 
I'm planning to change the dvd bezel. I've ordered one with white logos.
 
And this is how it looks inside by now:
 
 

 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
I've spent: mini ITX (105,23€), 150 watts Pico PSU (48,37€), 500GB Hard drive (29,99€), internal card reader (0,99€), internal usb-wifi with antenna (0,99€), cd/dvd drive (16,41€), a sata cable (1,35€), and 2Gb Ram (23,90€). Well, all this for 227,23€.
 
The mobo is an Asus AT5IONT-I with 1,8Ghz
 
I'm thinking now how in two weeks I can have (IMHO) a better design than the multimillionar CUSA people (if they wish to pay me...).
 
I'm waiting for the Keyrah still, and that will be a difficult part, as I don't have room where it has to go, but all is fitting in my mind.
 
The hardest part by now has been to change the height of the original keyboard, as I'm using a similar mini ITX to the Cusa guys one (well it has the same Dual Core 525 Atom processor and NVidia ION2 graphics chipset), and they are using a "modern" IBM keyboard. I had to cut the keyboard plastic supports and glue them in it's sides. I've won around 1,5 cms in height. As you can see, it's closing perfect now (well, I filed the PicoPSU connectors too).
 
I'm planning to make a vintage Commodore/Amiga tank mouse with freewheel and wireless (donnor ordered from China for 7,68€, free sending and nano usb dongle adapter), although surely will leave the cable just to have it like the original one.

[Retrofan]

I like it. I see that you currently have the plate on the right side from the original C-64. It would be cool to rework that so that you would ue this space for usb ports or something or run the sata connector to an ESATA connector.
Nice job.

Thanks. Individual Computers thought it better than I (and CUSA people), making the Keyrah that I'll be installing, with two joysticks, switch for keyboard selection and a USB in the power place in that plate (well, that USB is to connect it, and I don't want it).

[Retrofan]

@retrofan, well your not alone found these while googling..
 
http://commodore64.se/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5751
http://stiggyblog.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/commodore-c64-itx-pc-%E2%80%93-part-vii-%E2%80%98finished%E2%80%99/
http://mini-itx.com/projects/c64/

 
Thanks. Really very, very interesting projects... . I liked the third one too, but... "so a few things have been added on the to-do list:
- Getting the keyboard to function. I tried squeezing the standard PS2 foil in the keyboard but with limited success and destroying the original wiring"
 
¿¿¿???
 
Any finished project anywhere?
 
EDIT:Oh, the second link you gave is finished, I didn't see it. Very interesting.

[Retrofan]

....and used the C64 case in a different project. Mine didn't look nearly as solid as yours internally.

Thanks. What project? Any link?

[Retrofan]

I've been thinking how to make the power on button, and I've just done this, that will go in the original plate where says "power". Yes, the socket connector for the Psu is now a button:
 

 

 
The mobo model is in the first post.
 
A keyboard better than the original is something relative. I don't want a better keyboard. I want the same keyboard.
 
Still I haven't thought about the PSU, it's a 150watts one that came with a Pico Psu kit. If it doesn't fit inside a C= one I think I will leave it as is; anyway you don't pay much attention to it.
 
When I talk about the position of the cd in the CUSA one
 

is that it seems to be not from the middle, but above it. Perhaps I'm wrong and it's just the photo, because if it's above, it would be very difficult to open the case.

[Retrofan]

It's a nice project, shame it's Intel Atom instead of AMD Fusion though. Looks well put together. Have you thought about spray painting the DVD drive tray to match the case colour? I like using the DIN ports for the fan.
 
Personally I think the C64X should have used a slot-load DVD drive, it would have looked neater. Using an off-the-shelf memory card 3.5" adaptor is great for a home-project like yours (and it looks very neat on the back), but the C64X could have put these bays over/below the DVD drive too.
 
Where will you fit the KeyRah, doesn't the motherboard interfere?

Thanks. Really good questions here. First I like more the tray load system as although it seems bigger, the slot load one leaves a huge hole there.
 
The question about the dvd bezel is very interesting. I told I'm going to change it to put another black too, but with white logos. I bought anyway the DVD without bezel.
 
I have stored the piece of plastic I cutted for the mobo at the rear part, and I could do as I've previously done in an Amiga a bezel using the same plastic (this bezel was made with an spare A1200 trapdoor):
 
 

 
Surely I will make anyway that bezel in the Commodore too, but I think that black color matches with the rear card reader and the lateral plate for the joysticks and power switch.
 
About the keyrah, yes it will interfere, but I will desolder the connectors and will put it between the HD and the mobo soldering some cables.
 
Hey BigBenAussie what do you think of my power button?

[Retrofan]

Thanks.
 
Does anybody have the measures of the Keyrah? I need them as still I haven't received it (don't worry, it's going to fit).
 
EDIT: I've found I've done something wrong, but I've got no problem to change it: The HD. Instead of horizontally it will be better vertically. I've got enough room for it. That's not a problem, as I've got it screwed to a perforated aluminium plate, so I can change it.
 
That way I'll have more room between it and the mobo to put the keyrah.
 
EDIT: I don't know, but I keep thinking that if they have done it like this:
they can't open the case. I hope that in his prototype they have changed it.

[Retrofan]

Update:
 
This is how the keyrah looks from new:

 
And this is how it is now:
 

 
 
But it's already connected... so where are the cables? Under the card and under the mobo:
 
 

 
The board for the joysticks has it's traces cutted where I don't want continuity.
 

 
Well, I've got to try the joysticks still, but the main thing is working: the keyboard.
 
Aaaah, I love my power button; I should pattent it.
 

[Retrofan]

Nice looking project. I hope you made sure that there was nothing conductive left in that power button. I still remember the horror I had when my brother decided to plug the PSU into the data port of my C64. If it will fit, SOMEONE will find something to stick in it. Wouldn't want any bad shorts.

Thanks for the advice. No, it's just plastic what remains in the button, and it was very easy to make it, my brother lives far away, nobody wants to touch such a vintage machine and my family always give me funny looks for the things I do.
 
I've got to comment that in the first photos you can see that the keys are higher than originally. By then I had changed the keys and they weren't completely pressed. After that I changed too the way I had glued the keyboard supports. I'll show new photos when I'll have all working (if I get to do it).

[Retrofan]

Did you think I coudn't improve my power button? Well I've made this (the one of the left is what it has inside):



The first button I've installed has it always in the same position. Is the one you usually have in your PC. What's wrong with that is that it has to be a little out always so you can push it. With this new one it has two positions. What's good is that pressed you can leave it in the original C64 position, and as it has two pins for on-off and two pins for the led, I could leave the original C64 power light as it is and I could have light in the button (you could see it through it's holes) for the HD activity. What's wrong is that if you turn off the computer with Windows, later you'll have to press it to have it in the off position.



Well, I'll have to think which will I leave.

And it seems now I'll have to wait for another ram card I've ordered today.

[Retrofan]

Hi:
I've been a week out, but yesterday I installed the ram card, but it seems I have to wait for another. See this thread and you'll see how many problems there are to find the right one to start the mini ITX before you can update it's Bios: http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?...e=en-us&page=1

I have installed the 9.5mm Dvd drive and it fits perfect. Now I won't have any problem to put the keyboard at the right height. When I'll have all running I would like to change it for a 9,5mm Blu-Ray.

I've received the Chinesse Mice too, and now I've got this running, just as I planned:









Of course the cable is disconnected, and I've taked out it's wheel, just to let it look like the original. It uses a nano USB connector, as it's wireless. I've tried it and it works perfect.

I wonder what mice the CUSA people are going to use. I will use the right/original/autentic one.

[Retrofan]

:hammer:A photo of the progress in my -more than ever- messy place. I've just installed Windows 7 Professional:
 
 

 
 
I've got a couple of ideas in my mind:
 
-To take off the cable of the mouse:
Against: It won't look as "original" (although for that I should buy another mouse, as they've got different cables).
In favor: I can use it from further & it will look like an original/modified one.
-To buy an smaller PSU and to put it inside a C=64 one
-To change at least one of the Keyrah joystick connectors and use an Amigakit one -but for this I want to try it first-

[Retrofan]

Thanks. How many kudos?
 
Watching other C64x posts I've got to say 2 things by now:
- It isn't overheating at all (and very silent).
- I've got it connected with Wifi.
 
Edit:
I was going to close it right now, but it's making updating 1 of 81 ones...

[Retrofan]

Well, I've got all connected. Keyboard, card reader, internal wifi, wireless mouse... and all working. I've left finally the hd light connected to a led inside the power button, and the C=64 light connected to the Keyrah.
This is a photo I taked before I closed it:
 
 

 
 
And I've made a poor quality video:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nm1zgunDVc

[Retrofan]

I've done a couple of things. First I've installed internally the wireless connector of a Logitech gamepad, and I've added another fan, so I've got three in total. Later I changed the Blu-Ray bezel to have the same plastic of the C=64. I've been searching too a good Blu-Ray player. First I tried with Nero Kwik media, but it wasn't working perfect, as the video was jumping very often. Finally yesterday I installed PowerDVD 11 and it works great. I watched Avatar yesterday in my C=64. Have to try with 3D if I get a movie and I buy another 3D glasses for my Tv.

I've done a video in my 42" Lg Tv (sorry, still using the camera of my mobile):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGtxqgfRV6Q

I still haven't find the way to change the keyboard to have F12 in it. Will have to find a way to have it from booting.