transplant laptop guts to mini tower?

[MikeLisko]

hi everyone, first post. The following is what I've been thinking about and I am hoping for some guidance.

I have an old laptop and a dream

As of right now it's connected to the TV with an S-Video and the sound is going from the headphone jack, to an RCA split, to an old Sony all in one 5.1 DVD player/Receiver. I control it using RealVNC server/client software. The old laptop is the server and the new one is the client. My primary laptop is a big, slow remote. It's better than getting up of course.

I can download stuff, play music, video but the DVD/Receiver is on it's way out and I want to build something that is esthetically pleasing, or hidden all together.

I want to hook up 2 bookshelf speakers and an amp.
(Pyle Home PCA1 Mini 2 x 15-Watt Stereo Power Amplifier)

use the TV as a monitor

run it all from a mini keyboard w/touchpad

Is it possible for me to take the guts out of my laptop and reinstall them in a mini tower or something similar? Is that even a good idea? Is there a better way that doesn't cost much?

[Force Flow]

No, you won't be able to put the hardware of a laptop in a tower case. It simply won't fit.


But, you can get a wireless keyboard and mouse and not have to use a separate laptop and VNC.

Here's an inexpensive one that works well: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823201035

[MikeLisko]

thanks

I shouldn't have used the term "tower". I meant box. Any ol' thing.


I think this is what I was thinking of

http://www.mashie.org/casemods/anemone3.html
or
http://images10.newegg.com/UploadFil...scription.html

These projects are ridiculous though.

I was thinking something basic that I could take my laptop parts out and install them in a box like thing. The second URL (a cigar box) looks like a match. That is way out of my league, ability, price range, etc...

Are laptop cables long enough to mess around with? Is it possible to get longer wires to replace the short ones. Therefore increasing my mounting options?

I'll keep looking around for ideas. Thanks for replying and if anyone has done something like this I would love to hear about it

[Force Flow]

Laptops are not PCs, so there aren't many alternatives for parts. Laptop parts aren't meant to mounted, so you will have difficulties.

[FooseinSB]

While technically possible to reuse the hard drive, it's really not recommended, as none of the other stuff will work in a desktop, and you'll still need to reinstall the OS. If you do manage to reuse the hard drive, you can mount it with a bracket, something like this:

http://www.discountelectronics.com/i...t_detail&p=135

Probably not worth the trouble. I would follow the others' recommendations and start from scratch.

[glc]

You might want to look at building a mini-ITX system.

[MikeLisko]

The more I research the more I am realizing this is way more work than it's worth.

Now I'm thinking I could just put the laptop and amplifier in a box, make the wires look nice and call it a day. My only issue is cooling and ventilation. Which seems a little more reasonable of challenge.

Then, over time, and a lot of forum reading I'll build something custom from scratch.

Thanks for the input guys.