Mini-PiC Build

[WillBakesPi]

This is a simplified build log for the Mini-PiC computer.

I started on this after going thru a my spare parts seeing and seeing this post on reddit.
https://www.reddit.com/r/raspberry_pi/c ... ovelty_pc/

There is another more intensive build here utilizing different parts:
https://imgur.com/a/5xiPJ

Parts used
- Raspberry Pi 0 (Pi 3 will fit if you do some additional modification)
- Adafruit 3.5" Pi TFT Screen https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pit ... pberry-pi/
- Curtis FM Scan Radio ($5-15 eBay search "Radio FM Computer")
- (Optional) USB Mini Hub with Power Switch https://www.adafruit.com/product/2991
- (Optional) UGREEN SD Card Reader USB https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Reader-Ad ... B01ARAH6O0
- (Optional) DIY HDMI cable parts (ribbon cable / straight hdmi female / mini hdmi ) https://www.adafruit.com/product/3548
- MISC (silicone wire / otg adapter / jumper cables / micro sd card / USB soundcard / Speaker)

1. Start by installing RetroPie and getting it to work with your screen. This seemed to be the most troublesome piece of the project. In fact it should probably be its own guide.

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Ignore the outdated Adafruit site completely. Plug the TFT in via jumper cables or directly to the Pi.

After installing the RetroPie software edit /boot/config.txt
Add these lines:

Code: Select all

dtparam=spi=on
dtoverlay=pitft35-resistive,rotate=90,speed=42000000,fps=60

Once you get it working install fbcp and edit /boot/config.txt again with some additional tweaks.

Add overclock (just for core_freq to speed up fbcp a little bit)

Code: Select all

arm_freq=1000
gpu_freq=400
core_freq=488
over_voltage=2

Decrease hdmi screen resolution to match screen

Code: Select all

hdmi_group=2
hdmi_mode=87
hdmi_cvt=480 320 60 1 0 0 0

2. Open the FM radio and remove all internals and begin modifying to fit your screen.

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3. Add screen and run jumper wires or cables. You can add your USB soundcard / speaker and pi. Trim any additional plastic and edit/create files to add the USB sound card (see RetroPie wiki).

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4. You can finish now if you want or cram more stuff like I did. Time to trim more plastic and add the hot glue! You can also wire up the mouse to the GPIO and install retrogame for keyboard keys!

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Here's a video of the finish build.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeAGUhiFAoy

Enjoy and happy building!

[Hex]

Awesome. Great work Will