So i have a broken Dell Latitude 505. The "X" key is broken off, and the backlight is broken. EDIT: to elaborate on the backlight issue: When i turn the laptop on, the backlight blinks on for maybe half a second and then turns off, I already checked the BIOS, and its all how it should be. I took it to some guys and they said the only say would be to replace the whole screen. But i'd take you guys' advice over theirs. so any help will be good. I don't care bout the X key because I'm thinking of turning it into a desktop-type computer. Either making a case for it so it'll be a very small desktop, and hooking it up to a monitor. Or making it into something like the iMac. I've never really done any modding, so i need some advice. 1)How can i fix the screen? I can only think of replacing th whole screen 2) How will i make a case for it? for either style.
take it apart ant look at it. as for the screen, it sounds like the inverterboard for the screen is broken. try to find a smilar model with a cracked screen and take the board from that. and in worst case, a normal case CCFL could work just nicely. (could fry the tube, but i doubt it.)
I usually find the inverter on the bottom half of the laptop under the controls/speakers. Pop up the plastic the is just above the keyboard and near the hinges.
here is what i can think up And, the laptop's in pretty good condition, too, there are no real scratches or scuffs.
Okay, now that i have that, i'm making it out of paper to see if i like how it looks. This is the front The side The back with the indent for the cables
But I don't know, this will be a huge undertaking for me being a novice. I'll order two times as much black acrylic as i need so i can practice cutting. So that'll be: -3/16" Translucent Cast Acrylic 24"x48" Color: Black-----$36.80 -x2-------------------------------------------------------------$36.80 -1/2" Clear Cast Acrylic Sheet 12" x 24"--------------------$18.26 -4 Oz. Bottle Weld-on #3 Cement---------------------------$ 5.50 TOTAL----------------------------------------------------------$60.56 Anything else I will need? But First, i need to find whatever i need to repair it.
Okay, so i found an inverter for the laptop on ebay, But the problem is, i don't use ebay. And i don't wanna have to set up a paypal account for one purchase. I'm going to have to find a friend to order it and then pay him. So i found an inverter that says it's for the Dell Latitude 500, 505, 510, and so on. Does that mean if i find a cheaper one that is listed as a "Dell Latitude 500 inverter" that it will work with my 505? Just a quick edit, How do i change the thread title to "dMac (possible project log)" I doubt that i'll have this done before school starts, seeing as I only have 19 days left, but it will definitely be done by the end of thanksgiving break.
OK, so youve decided to turn it into an all-in-one style machine... Thing is that in such a compacted space cooling may be an issue. Your sketch didnt outline any cooling vents or exausts, and the cooling in your laptop may not be relavent when applied to the new case due to its different shape & size and we all know how hot they get even with their integrated cooling. Suppose you could just literally pop the old chassis inside the new acrylic case youre making and then duct the ventilation out meet the edge of your case. Always consider cooling
yeah, i had sketched out vents after i did the measurements, i just forgot to include that picture. I'm including vents everywhere there are vents on the laptop case, so one in the indent with the cables, and one on the back. And i'll probably add another fan and put a vent on the bottom or in the indent. But it'll be a while until i get materials for this, so i'll keep you posted.
Okay, so it turns out that if i can fix the laptop, which is my brother's, he'll want it back. But if i can, i'll be able to get his laptop that he got with school. So it'll take longer than i thought, but I WILL able to get a laptop and do this...
so, you tell him you cant fix it *cough* nah, if he gives you a laptop, take it instead of being dishonest but this looks like a very nice mod you have planned.
