Modding My '2x D-pad, Spare Gba Parts.

[aaron11193]

Hey all, been a while since I've posted..

Anyways I'm going to install a GBA D-Pad into my GP2X F100 MK2 tomorrow hopefully.
I think I'll go with cutting the GBA mobo apart and getting the D-Pad PCB and putting that into the '2x with a bit of IDE cable (I've got heaps lying around... and 2 x86s with buggard mobos).

Well im only using part of the GBA and I hate seeing good parts wasted,
So I was wondering if anyone has any ideas about what i could do with the extra parts?

I'll have:

* GBA LCD
* GBA Case
* Volume control thingy (potometer??)
* 3.5" audio jack
* A, B, Start, Select, L, R Buttons
* etc, etc... basically the rest of the GBA.

Or if anyone wants the parts for some strange reason I will send them to you in the mail. Just pay for half the shipping

Thanx,
Aaron

 

[gruso]

Adapt the LCD for composite input and use it as a portable monitor. Dual screen GP2X!

 

[aaron11193]

Adapt the LCD for composite input and use it as a portable monitor. Dual screen GP2X!

Yeh I was thinking about that.. If i knew how to I would. Coz thatd be sweet!

Got any instructables/tutorials on how i could achieve it??

Aaron.

 

[aaron11193]

Hokay,
So heres what ive got to do my mod:

* GBA D-Pad
* Sega controller D-Pad PCB
* IDE Cable (for connection from d-pad to gp2x)

Ive also got a soldering iron, solder, solder sucker, sandpaper, etc..

All i ned now is a pinout for the gp2x stick connections. Anyone got a diagram i can use? Ive looked all over the joint and i cant find a decent one.

Thanks,
Aaron.

 

[aaron11193]

I didnt have one of those stupid tri-wing Nintenda screwdrivers so i got an old welding rod and a file and made one =D
It works quite well =]

Cheers,
Aaron.

 

[aaron11193]

Here is the D-Pad PCB after ive sanded it down and made some bare contacts.

 

[gruso]

It's quiet in here! Keep posting your progress pics though, I'm enjoying.

Re: the second screen idea, I don't know of anyone that's done it. The hardware side would be simple enough I imagine, but the software might be a different story.

 

[aaron11193]

Yep will do =D

i just need a pinout diagram for the '2x stick contacts so i can start the big stuff..
Cant seem to find one..

 

[gruso]

Here we go (I think it's what you're after), right click / save as: http://members.aol.com/gp2x1234/GP2x-Dpad.pdf

...PDF courtesy of Bacteria, from this thread: http://www.gp32x.de/board/index.php?showtopic=31605

 

[aaron11193]

Exactly what i needed! thanks.

 

[aaron11193]

I had to do a bit of resizing on the PCBs part since it wouldnt fit...
Tha GBA D-Pad is the perfect size to fit inside the circle where the stick is/was.

More Pics:

Resized PCB

Perfect size


Dremels are too fancy for me, i use sandpaper =P Works just as well and for a fraction of the price =]
Also, i get more control of the shape with sandpaper =D

Ill do a bit more tomorrow when i get the mini soldering iron...

Cheers,
Aaron.

 

[grahf]

Ahhhh, its going to look similar to my dpad mod when I first did it. I used all gamecube parts. The gamecube PCB worked great, and the pad stuff was very similar to GBA parts. The GBA stuff will be a better fit. BTW, 3M double sided tape will work excellent for securing the dpad pcb to the GP2x pcb.

http://files.myopera.com/grahf/albums/3639...pad%20front.jpg

http://files.myopera.com/grahf/albums/3639...arbon%20pad.jpg

 

[aaron11193]

Hmmm.... i wonder if i can 'borrow' some of that tape from work....

Well im off to work to 'borrow' a mini soldering iron =P
More progress coming soon =D

Aaron.

 

[aaron11193]

Hey all,
Ive got all of today to do this mod =D

I just finished soldering the IDE cable to the D-Pad PCB. I had to cut some corners on the D-Pad membrane so that my dodgy soldering would fit..

- To Front of GP2X

- To GP2X Mobo

- With D-Pad on top (Perfect Fit =D)

Still working =D

Aaron.

@grahf: Nice job you did there btw =D

 

[aaron11193]

Hmmm...

My D-Pad PCB gets in the way of the place where the screw is supposed to hold the '2x mobo to the front...

Chop it? What do you guys think? Holy PCB or Chop the Screw holder thing?

 

[aaron11193]

Well ive now started the cosmetic moddinng...
Too bad my drill battery died =[

 

[aaron11193]

Hmmm... a bit more cosmetics here...

I sanded down the old joystick thing.. bit of a shabby job.. oh well itll look better when the d-pad is in there =D

And... the state of my kitchen table untill this mod is finished =P

edit: haha those arent my glasses theyre my mum's =P I'm only 15 i wood have more pimped glasses!

 

[aaron11193]

Ok... I was too lazy to go into work to get another drill battery so i got out my big soldering iron and melted away the space for the D-Pad... It worked quite well but it'sa not exactly eye candy...

I also got around to de-soldering the original stick...

Now...

Time to solder on the new D-Pad PCB! =D

 

[aaron11193]

Hokay...

I soldered the wires to the mobo as per bacteria's d-pad mod guide..

(The one with the red stripe is ground)

I put the back cover on to put batteries in, connected the screen....
Booted to the gp2x menu...
Placed the D-Pad onto the D-Pad PCB.....

And...

It doesnt register the button presses, it registered ABXY START SELECT but not D-Pad :angry:

Anyone know what i could have done wrong??

 

[gruso]

Not sure. Maybe it's worth soldering some leads to the PCB without the d-pad attached, and testing by touching the ends together.