Laptop->Desktop conversion

[APE992]

I've got a fairly recent HP Pavilion DV7T-3300 laptop whose heat pipes have bitten the dust, looks like a leak developed and the coolant flew the coop and the battery is shot (thanks HP for the shitty battery). However the laptop is based on an i7 and still packs a decent punch albeit.

What I'd like to do is convert it to use as a desktop machine or at least something tied to the wall. I've done some checking around and I had already figured that there wouldn't be any sort of "drop in" case solution for the motherboard but I'd like to maximize the usage of video outputs. The mobo comes with HDMI and VGA outputs so if I need to I could simply use those to get video but I'd prefer to start with trying to use the connector that the LCD panel would normally attach to.

I don't suppose anyone knows of a handy way to determine what connector the panel is using and how probably an adapter is for such a connector?

 

[paul878]

You are not going to find such an adapter, just use the vga or hdmi, that is what they are made for.

 

[paperwastage]

I'd like to maximize the usage of video outputs.

most likely, the GPU will be limited to 2 displays MAX (between HDMI, VGA, onboard LCD)


I'm sure there's some way to reverse engineer the onboard LCD connector to a HDMI signal, but why waste that effort (you'll probably need another board to do that)

these guys below solve the "mirrored" side of your problem (converting HDMI to onboard LCD input... you want to convert the onboard LCD signal from mobo into HDMI/VGA/DVI)

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sfen/able-hd-portable-hd-monitor-for-laptop-and-smartph

 

[APE992]

I want to say I've used all three before but you're probably right.

 

[paperwastage]

I want to say I've used all three before but you're probably right.

maybe you've done laptop screen + 1 external , and a second external (mirroring the laptop screen)

(i.e. 2 independent displays + 1 mirrored)

 

[mindless1]

I've got a fairly recent HP Pavilion DV7T-3300 laptop whose heat pipes have bitten the dust, looks like a leak developed and the coolant flew the coop and the battery is shot (thanks HP for the shitty battery). However the laptop is based on an i7 and still packs a decent punch albeit.

So you have already installed and tested an alternate cooling system? If not, anything else is putting the cart before the horse.

I don't suppose anyone knows of a handy way to determine what connector the panel is using and how probably an adapter is for such a connector?

It's not a matter of a connector/pin adapter, the LVDS signal itself isn't compatible. Your best option is probably a USB video adapter.

 

[bhvm]

Been there, Done That.

I have an HP DV8 that has pretty crappy quality other than CPU and Display, RAID HDDs. Battery, DVD and cooling went bust just after warranty.

Not even HP Service (India) had the cooling parts in stock. It pains after spending almost 2000 Dollars back then.

Coming to your point, I'd suggest use internal display as-is (Mine is 17.3 inch) or use VGA output. Don't bother with other PCB connections. Rest, use an UPS instead of battery (Remove your battery). You could use an USB DVD burner and USB 3.0 Card. For cooling, I have slapped on a CPU heatsink and powered its fan via 5v USB power. Need cutting some plastic but works ok.

 

[Murloc]

interesting but does it blow air through the heatsink even though it's not covered anymore because you cut it?

 

[Revolution 11]

And here I thought you were going to tape your laptop inside your case and feed USB cables to keyboard/mouse and a DVI/DisplayPort/HDMI to a monitor.

 

[sm625]

If you mount a big 120mm fan right above the cpu it will probably work somewhat ok but it is really designed to have air blowing across it rather than down on it. I would try that first jsut because its such a simple task.