DIY Desktop Computer from Laptop Motherboard and aluminum case. I needed a light weight computer to replace my mothers old Athlon XP 1800+ computer. It needed to be under 2Kg about 4.4lb including the AC adapter cables and shipping box so that the shipping will not be more expensive than the computer 
Specs are AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-58 1.9GHz (65nm) 2GB RAM ATI Radeon Xpress X1270 with VGA and HDMI Chipset RS690T. I installed a custom live Linux OS based on 64bit Ubuntu 10.10 using remastersys. In the other life it was the Gateway M-1617 and I purchased this from eBay for 84$ with a cracked screen bad sectors on HDD and over-temperature shut down that was only the fault of an old and dry thermal compound. If you need any parts that I did not used in this Desktop please let me know I will give you for free.
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DIY Desktop Computer from Laptop Motherboard and aluminum case.
by admin on May 9th, 2012
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This was done some time ago and I used Ubuntu 10.10.
I made a custom distribution based on Ubuntu 10.10 using remastersys is a read only live OS so it will be exactly as installed after each reboot no changes are possible.
wat is the os you are using?
ROFL
Thanks
This is far from Mac Mini but I still prefer this one.
Mac Mini PC Version?
Yes the HP and dell at least in the last few years use a 3 pin AC adapter one of the pin is to communicate with the motherboard and on some models it will not run without a battery.
The one I had used in this project had a simple 5.5×2.5mm jack with only two pins so it works fine without a battery.
Some models will work just with the AC adapter even if they have 3 pin DC jack. I have an newer HP with Sandy Bridge and it works fine without battery.
How did you Supply power? Ive been using my HP with a broken screen as a desktop but the battery just died and it wont run off just the power cord. Great vid!
You are probably right.
you can install the windows you can as long as it is the same motherboard
Yes you can but you will need a HDD. Windows will not work as a live OS from a flash memory. Not sure about the Windows 8.
Also not sure if the windows license allow to mod a laptop like this and still use the the license on the original stinker.
I installed Linux because this is what I use on all my computers, I do not like Windows.
can you reinstall windows like this!
The screen was broken on this one and the cooling on older AMD laptops was quite bad so I also made an aluminium case to help with cooling and noise.
I just remove my laptop screen and use it as a desktop
I think the small ones where 6mm and they where female on one end and male at the other where they connect to PCB and the long one was 17mm and was female at both ends.
So there where #4 screws only used for the top and bottom plates.
What are the dimensions of the standoffs that you used? I noticed that you used male and male/female standoffs. Did you also screw-in screws to each of the female standoffs that hold the motherboard in place (not the top lid)? Thanks
Is 0.08″ or 0.09″ about 2mm but I was constrained by weight you can use ticker plate.
What is the thickness of the aluminum sheet?
Thanks,
The stand offs I got form digikey and the aluminium sheet from eBay not sure what was the seller but is from US and he will cut to specific dimension but only rectangular sheets no other special shapes.
Nice build. I have an old laptop that I want to use as a media center. I have a few questions to ask you if you don’t mind.
- Where did you buy the standoffs that you used?
- Where did you buy the aluminum sheet and how thick is it? Can the supplier cut the sheet to specific dimensions?
But dust ever will go inside, since air moves and so does dust. Even when you move around inside your room, you wave around alot of dust. It’s harder to clean it afterwards. You’re right, this shipping fee is a big joke… I mean it’s really unfair overpriced. Well it just was an idea by me, because of the sharp edges and big openings. It would look better and be more safe if it was closed
But because of this cost factor I understand you completely.
There is no reason for dust to get inside since there is no fan there the original one was deactivated and the only fan is on the top of the case that can be cleaned easy.
I prefer 100% fan-less but this one was not for me and the shipping will have been to expensive with the additional aluminum.
Shipping was 50$ under 2kg will have been over 150$ if it will have exceed that limit
I decided 100$ is to much just not to have a 5V silent fan.
Great idea but you should place a mesh on all four sides around this case, so that it won’t turn into a dust catcher!
A fine anti dust mesh you can build with rubber connector line which holds it dust free against the metal case plates and helping against annoying noise (scratch sounds otherwise because of vibrations letting metal sides scratch together). So you can remove it for cleaning and then place it back on
Actually i added at the end an 80mm fan supplied with 5V.
But you will need no fan if you use tinker aluminum plate on top or you are fine with around 60C at load with the fan I have under 50C that is way better than original cooling that was at about 85 even 90C at load.
One thing to consider is opening up the top of the new case, and screwing on top parts from a cooling fan powered from the usb. there are lots of mini-pad cooler products out there. Plus building a stand where the new DT stands up..
Was the old laptop functional at the time you opened? There are normally not that many parts and the connectors are different so not that easy to confuse.
Usually except for motherboard you have just the power on button and the HDD that need to be connected.
You can eventually send me some photo if you are not sure about something, I will try to help you.