USB through a NES controller port

[KeNnO]

Hello,

 

I'm currently building a NES PC from an old NES console.

I've bought some USB game controllers which I want to:

 

Chop the USB ends off

Solder original NES controller connections to

Solder the NES ports on the case to the USB headers on the motherboard.

 

I'm just wondering - am I going to have issues with this due to the shielding around the usb cable?

95% of the cable will be shielded, just the end that is cut off and connected through the NES ports will not be ...

Will this be an issue or how would you suggest I get around this?

 

Thanks.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

I should think that the real issues will be the type of data, I know little about NES, but USB data will no doubt be a lot different so the system may not work at all. Add to that, there is a powerful 5 volts DC voltage present on USB connections from the motherboard that your NES equipment may not be able to handle and could fry it.

 

Nev.

[KeNnO]

Thanks for your reply Nev,

 

The only piece of NES equippment involved in this is the actual NES controller ports themselves which are just metal male connectors.

I have mounted a Mini ITX motherboard in the case replacing the NES equippment.

So the NES board itself is not in use and I am just wanting to use the ports to change the connection plug of the USB

[Plastic Nev]

Re reading this after finding out you are trying to convert an old Nintendo case, and I am puzzled about why you want to use these older ports, the motherboard you have is set up for USB and so also is the controllers, why not stick to USB? Just set the motherboard up and fix it in such a way that you can get at and use the USB ports mounted on the motherboard. OK it may mean cutting a slot in the case perhaps, but that is simpler than the very small soldering of connections is going to be. Not to mention the risk of getting wires crossed and causing damage.

 

Nev.

[KeNnO]

I want to keep the original NES ports to keep the originality of the case. I don't want to replace the original ports - I want to use them as USB adapters. Just wanting to know if there would be any issues using these ports without the shielding of the USB cables.

[Plastic Nev]

Hum, one thing I am not sure about as I have never taken a USB plug or port to bits, however I would assume that the screen or shielding may well be connected to one of the contacts in the USB plug, that is providing there is a shield on the cable in the first place.

As I say I haven't gone that far to check it out. However if the shielding is connected to one of the USB connections, then it will have to be connected to the similar NES connection. If you have a meter that can be set to continuity, once you have cut a USB plug off, (Leave enough cable to strip the outer off and bare the internal wires) you should be able to find what is what.

Thinking about it, the shield would possibly be connected to the metal outer of the USB plug. The USB plug itself has four connections, how many are there on the NES ports? if more, then use one of them for the screen or shield, just make sure that the same connection pin inside the case is connected to the metal of the case.

Best of luck as that soldering is going to be fine work to be sure you get it right.

 

Nev.