Laptop Case?

[alentris]

First off, I'm new here, so hello everyone . So, I just got a free laptop from my friend, but here's the catch. It's an older than dirt, with a 266 mhz processor (I don't know the ram), 8 gb hard drive, and a battery that doesn't hold the charge. Also, the power input is snapped off. So, I've gutted the thing for the case, and so I've been thinking. I'm not new to console modding, but my only experience is with computers and psp's (mind you, EXTENSIVE experience with psp). I'm not a half bad solder-er (however you say it), and I want to try something bigger. What I want to know, is, would it be possible to use the laptop case for a console laptop? I have N64's/NES's laying around, so what better to use?

[bicostp]

Sure, you can use the case. Whatever you can make fit (with adequate cooling, of course) will work fine. If you use a console with some kind of keyboard input (old home computers, the 360, etc), you might even be able to figure out the keyboard connector and reuse the original keyboard.

The only thing is you won't be able to use the laptop LCD, so you'll need to fit another screen in it. (Laptop LCDs are digitally controlled, and you need a decoder circuit to translate inputs like component video and HDMI to signals the screen understands. Check the "Screens you can and cannot use" sticky for more info.)

[alentris]

Sure, you can use the case. Whatever you can make fit (with adequate cooling, of course) will work fine. If you use a console with some kind of keyboard input (old home computers, the 360, etc), you might even be able to figure out the keyboard connector and reuse the original keyboard.

The only thing is you won't be able to use the laptop LCD, so you'll need to fit another screen in it. (Laptop LCDs are digitally controlled, and you need a decoder circuit to translate inputs like component video and HDMI to signals the screen understands. Check the "Screens you can and cannot use" sticky for more info.)

Yeah, I already know that about the screen. The OEM fan will be easy to implement, It's just a 2 wires and it screws in right on the case. As for the keyboard, I didn't count the pins but I'm pretty sure it has 10. Also, does the dreamcast have keyboard/mouse input? That would be my most probable console for the laptop (PSO is the greatest). Lastly, Is it dangerous to take apart the battery if it doesn't hold a charge?

[bicostp]

What kind of battery is it?

Ni-Cd and Ni-Mh batteries are safer to take apart. Be VERY careful with Lithium batteries. Lithium burns white-hot if it's exposed to oxygen (air, water, etc), so don't puncture the cells inside.

Chances are you'll be able to find new battery cells to rebuild the laptop battery with online. Lithium batteries will need a protection circuit (there should be one built into the battery pack). Buy identical replacements (same size and voltage, higher mAh capacity if you want) and wire them the same way the originals are, and you should have a like-new battery pack!

[alentris]

What kind of battery is it?

Ni-Cd and Ni-Mh batteries are safer to take apart. Be VERY careful with Lithium batteries. Lithium burns white-hot if it's exposed to oxygen (air, water, etc), so don't puncture the cells inside.

Chances are you'll be able to find new battery cells to rebuild the laptop battery with online. Lithium batteries will need a protection circuit (there should be one built into the battery pack). Buy identical replacements (same size and voltage, higher mAh capacity if you want) and wire them the same way the originals are, and you should have a like-new battery pack!

Actually, I just planned on gutting the battery case and putting in a more lightweight cell, the current one is EXTREMELY heavy, and I wouldn't doubt that I could make it lighter. But looking at this laptop case, I'm thinking I might have better luck with a pelican case...

[MegatronUK]

btw, the DC supports both keyboards and mice. but it's via a weird 'maple' bus, not usb or ps2. you'll have to hack a dc keyboard and mouse (eek!) to work in the laptop case.

[alentris]

btw, the DC supports both keyboards and mice. but it's via a weird 'maple' bus, not usb or ps2. you'll have to hack a dc keyboard and mouse (eek!) to work in the laptop case.

Yeah, but considering all of these factors, I might just use a pelican case. I have jackloads of memory foam, which would be perfect to encase the mobo.

[ptj]

i tried a similar thing with a gutted laptop case, but i failed. The issue was space. Trying to fit the console mobo, screen mobo, batteries, disc drive and room to wire and cool is tough, unless it was a pretty large laptop. It would have looked really cool though, good luck on your project.

[alentris]

i tried a similar thing with a gutted laptop case, but i failed. The issue was space. Trying to fit the console mobo, screen mobo, batteries, disc drive and room to wire and cool is tough, unless it was a pretty large laptop. It would have looked really cool though, good luck on your project.

Thanks, looking at a Dreamcast motherboard REALLY makes me doubt I'll be able to it in a laptop case, considering that the board has multiple layers (I.E. hidden traces). I'm still pondering and doing a planning stage, I don't want to spend TOO much money, so I don't know if this is something I want to take on...