Making my laptop in a desktop mod

[TheGreatSatan]

My Alienware lappy is over a year old and starting to break at the hinges. I'm about to order a new one, but my old one is still very usable. The specs are:

Dual core
8GB DDR3
GeForce GT330 1GB
120GB SSD

I'm thinking of removing the screen and making it into a desktop instead. I would use the HDMI connection for a monitor, add the power cable to the case, and use an external mouse and keyboard. I'd be able to better cool the parts this way too.

Anyone know of any mods done this way? I'm just very unsure how I'd get the screen off and rewire the power button.

[AmEv]

Dell usually has relatively good tear-down manuals.



Why not mod it by flipping the screen somehow? Dual monitors!

[Outlaw]

I'll see if I can find the link. It was similar to what your doing.

It was an HP with a trashed monitor. They didn't do any mods to it, but they strapped the laptop to the bottom of the desk to keep everything clean.

Depending on the monitor used and modding planned. you can make a mount to utilize the vesa mount on the back of the monitor. I thought about this a few times and it doesn't seem that hard. It would just need a little reinforcement if the bottom is plastic like most laptops and to ensure the screws/mount don't touch any components in the laptop.

There isn't a ton of stuff for laptop cooling mods but still quite a bit for some ideas. What type of mods are you looking for?


update-
Some reason, I can't find it now. Basically, they removed the monitor as it was cracked/shattered and strapped it to the under side of the desk with a metal strap like this.
http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/252346_front200.jpg

[diluzio91]

that m11x has one of the best teardown manuals i've ever seen.

Link
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/alw_lp_m11x/en/sm/index.htm

[OvRiDe]

Luciel recently did one very similar to what you are talking about here:

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27663

[TheGreatSatan]

I'm just unsure how I'd rewire and relocate the power button

[diluzio91]

if you strap the case without the lid to the bottom of the desk you could drill a small hole over the location of the button, put a dowel through the hole, and use that to push the button, just make it slightly raised and have it match the desk, or put the alienware logo on it or something similar.

[msmrx57]

You could just solder a lead to each of the contacts on the board and run them to a new switch.

[xr4man]

^^^ that would be my suggestion. in my eyes it would be the easier way too.

[AmEv]

Who's doing that alien-game-themed laptop mod?

[Munty]

I relocated a power button on a laptop not long ago (albeit on an ancient model) Given the fact that laptops and computers almost all use the same hardware for the actual switch itself you should have no problem relocating it in the same way I did. Just find out which pins are used by the switch (trial and error works fine!) then solder on some extensions with ordinary wire. Get hold of another bog standard switch from somewhere (mine came from an old desktop case) and then wire it up correctly, placing it wherever you like. If you're going to build it inside an actual desktop case then you can actually just solder the cables straight from one switch to another.

First few pics here;
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showpost.php?p=319736&postcount=42
And some here;
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showpost.php?p=331082&postcount=63
show how I did mine ;)

(just seen msmrx already said this but now you have detail and images. Hope it helps :p)

[Fuganater]

So I'm gonna be that guy...

:pics:

[Cale_Hagan]

So I'm gonna be that guy...

:pics:

YES! :banana:

i have also soldered new wires and switches to a pcb, my handheld ds.... its like brain surgery... haha. it worked, though. even with my hands being unsteady...

[NightrainSrt4]

Dell extended the warranty on the M11X hinges. They updated to a new set of hinges. I had mine sent in and back to me in a week. They sent the box to me to send it in as well.

[Twigsoffury]

Dell extended the warranty on the M11X hinges. They updated to a new set of hinges. I had mine sent in and back to me in a week. They sent the box to me to send it in as well.

I sent my broken evga 8800GTS SSC back in a dixie cup box... LOL