VCR Computer
VCRs are old technology, so turning them into a computer would give you a new, out of the ordinary device.
In this Instructable, I will show you how to combine a computer and a VCR into one.
The computer is fully functional, uses the buttons from the VCR to turn it on and off, and is fan-equipped to prevent overheating.
If you like the original product, you can buy it here:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260360542044
In this Instructable, I will show you how to combine a computer and a VCR into one.
The computer is fully functional, uses the buttons from the VCR to turn it on and off, and is fan-equipped to prevent overheating.
If you like the original product, you can buy it here:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260360542044
Materials
To make a VCR computer of your own, you will need a few things:
- A VCR that is somewhat bigger than 12"x10" and at least 3.5" tall
- A fully functional computer (Avoid using oversized heat sinks)
- A drill
- A fine line marker
- A soldering iron
- Glue gun and glue
- Metal cutting scissors (a steel cutting laser could work too)
- A bag of jolly good animal crackers
- A VCR that is somewhat bigger than 12"x10" and at least 3.5" tall
- A fully functional computer (Avoid using oversized heat sinks)
- A drill
- A fine line marker
- A soldering iron
- Glue gun and glue
- Metal cutting scissors (a steel cutting laser could work too)
- A bag of jolly good animal crackers
Preparing Your Computer.
To prepare your computer for this Instructable, your first step would be taking all of the parts out of the tower. Don't forget to take out the lights and the power button. Now, unscrew the cover of the power supply, but be careful! The capacitors may still remain charged.
Have some Animal Crackers.
Have some Animal Crackers.
Preparing Your VCR
Of course the next step would be taking out all the parts from the VCR. But don't take out the board at the front as you will use it for your power button.
Next, use a fine line marker to create a perfect (or somewhere close to there) square with dimensions of 120mmX120mm on the top panel of your VCR. Then, drill holes at the corners, and if you have the time/patience, draw more lines to create a professional looking vent for the fan. (Some fans don't have the dimensions of 120mmX120mm, so to be completely sure, check your fan's specs.
Now, try on the motherboard with the cards already attached and using the fine line marker mark the places where you have to cut off the excess steel, but remember that you will need to have a space between the panel and the motherboard. You can create it by making small platforms made out of preferably hot glue, but be careful with the substances you use as some may conduct electricity. I chose hot glue as the melting point is about 3 times higher than the operational temperature of the motherboard and it does not conduct electricity. Now you need to cut of a small square in one of the corners for the power supply socket and two holes at the sides of it, for the pins that are on the actual socket. Now cut a large hole like the one in the pictures. the large part of the hole is used for the cards, while the small one is used for the motherboard's sockets. Also, if you can see that the metal part of the cards are way too big, use the scissors to cut off the excess.
And now to the panel. Most VCRs already have LED sockets, so you can attach the LEDs from the computer on the VCR. Now find the button that you wish to use as your power button (and if you are using one of the older computers, the 'Turbo' button too) .
After you have done that, put on 5 more platforms for the hard drive, and 5 more ON the actual hard drive as the power supply is installed on top of the hard drive.
Have some more crackers.
Next, use a fine line marker to create a perfect (or somewhere close to there) square with dimensions of 120mmX120mm on the top panel of your VCR. Then, drill holes at the corners, and if you have the time/patience, draw more lines to create a professional looking vent for the fan. (Some fans don't have the dimensions of 120mmX120mm, so to be completely sure, check your fan's specs.
Now, try on the motherboard with the cards already attached and using the fine line marker mark the places where you have to cut off the excess steel, but remember that you will need to have a space between the panel and the motherboard. You can create it by making small platforms made out of preferably hot glue, but be careful with the substances you use as some may conduct electricity. I chose hot glue as the melting point is about 3 times higher than the operational temperature of the motherboard and it does not conduct electricity. Now you need to cut of a small square in one of the corners for the power supply socket and two holes at the sides of it, for the pins that are on the actual socket. Now cut a large hole like the one in the pictures. the large part of the hole is used for the cards, while the small one is used for the motherboard's sockets. Also, if you can see that the metal part of the cards are way too big, use the scissors to cut off the excess.
And now to the panel. Most VCRs already have LED sockets, so you can attach the LEDs from the computer on the VCR. Now find the button that you wish to use as your power button (and if you are using one of the older computers, the 'Turbo' button too) .
After you have done that, put on 5 more platforms for the hard drive, and 5 more ON the actual hard drive as the power supply is installed on top of the hard drive.
Have some more crackers.
Fitting It Inside.
Now that both the computer and VCR have been prepared, it's time to put it all together.
First, screw on the motherboard panel and put daps of hot glue on the platforms and quickly put on the motherboard, while making sure that all of the sockets are accessible through the panel. Now, do the same task for the hard drive.
After you have done that, slip on the power supply socket and use glue to make sure it doesn't go anywhere. Now, screw on the ground wire to one of the closest holes.
And finish the process with gluing on the power supply to the platforms on the hard drive the same way you did with the motherboard . Again, be VERY careful with the power supply, it can still shock you even if it is unplugged.
Now connect all the wires (Fan, power supply, hard drive, LEDs, power button). Try to use the shortest possible wires to connect the hard drive wires to the motherboard, as longer ones will touch the power supply and melt, or restrict air from circulating inside.
Make sure 2 thirds of your crackers have been eated.
First, screw on the motherboard panel and put daps of hot glue on the platforms and quickly put on the motherboard, while making sure that all of the sockets are accessible through the panel. Now, do the same task for the hard drive.
After you have done that, slip on the power supply socket and use glue to make sure it doesn't go anywhere. Now, screw on the ground wire to one of the closest holes.
And finish the process with gluing on the power supply to the platforms on the hard drive the same way you did with the motherboard . Again, be VERY careful with the power supply, it can still shock you even if it is unplugged.
Now connect all the wires (Fan, power supply, hard drive, LEDs, power button). Try to use the shortest possible wires to connect the hard drive wires to the motherboard, as longer ones will touch the power supply and melt, or restrict air from circulating inside.
Make sure 2 thirds of your crackers have been eated.
End
Now here comes the easy part, after slipping on the panel back on the VCR, screw the cover back on the VCR and check if your new VCR Computer is operational.
If it works, congratulations! You have a fully functional VCR Computer! If not, go back and check if you forgot to connect something.
Have the rest of the crackers either way.
If it works, congratulations! You have a fully functional VCR Computer! If not, go back and check if you forgot to connect something.
Have the rest of the crackers either way.