Building a carputer from a broken laptop

dosh142 · 10-14-2006, 01:14 PM

I have an inspiron 5100 that recently had a the whole motherboard go bad. I was wondering if it would be possible to buy a mp3car.com case and mini itx motherboard and use these old parts, such as the ram, the harddrive and everything else needed. Are these old parts compatible with this kind of motherboard and will they fit in one of these cases?

P.S. I also know I would need to get a new power supply.

Wiredwrx · 10-14-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by dosh142

I have an inspiron 5100 that recently had a the whole motherboard go bad. I was wondering if it would be possible to buy a mp3car.com case and mini itx motherboard and use these old parts, such as the ram, the harddrive and everything else needed. Are these old parts compatible with this kind of motherboard and will they fit in one of these cases?

P.S. I also know I would need to get a new power supply.

The HD yes, the ram probably not. WHat else do you think you need??

Michael

walky_talky20 · 10-14-2006, 02:22 PM

RAM - No, most of the new motherboards use DDR DIMMs, your laptop uses DDR SO-DIMMs (smaller physical size, won't work)

Processer - Probably, if you buy a P4 mini-itx board.

HDD - Yes, with an adapter

DVD/CDRW - Maybe, will need an adapter if it is possible

Battery - No

Screen - No

Power Supply - No

Vineet Singh · 10-16-2006, 11:29 AM

Dosh, check out this post I made regarding the Dell Inspiron 5150's (5100 is 99.9% similar with a different power connector).

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=88036

I have a contact at Dell, that could help you out, and get the board replaced for free (possibly). You have to PM me though to get the info, and promise never give out his info to the general public (I don't want him ****ed at me).

Alternatively, you could call them multiple times until you get a helpful tech that will listen to your problem.

It's only covered if you didn't spill or do anything like drop it to damage the board... they have power supply problems, charging problems and heating problems.