Possible to convert a laptop cd burner to a desktop?

[amaunator]

I have an old dell inspiron 7500 that the system fan and hard drive died on. Rather than just junking the entire thing, is it possible to convert the removable cd burner into something that can go in a desktop?

 

[Lord Evermore]

Technically possible, not necessarily easy.

If the drive actually has a standard mini-IDE 44-pin connector, like notebook hard drives, then there are cheap adapters available to connect to a regular IDE cable. The signals are the same as a desktop IDE connection, just in a smaller size and with power wires included.

If it only has an edge connector or some other type, or some other type of connection, then the only way to connect it would be lashing up a custom cable. Or possibly find an adapter specific to that one, like this http://cgi.ebay.com/Notebook-Laptop-50-...05QQcategoryZ80198QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Of course, turning it into a shape and size that would fit nicely into a desktop is dependent on your ability to construct a housing of some sort, and whether you'd have to take off excess casing parts on the drive.

 

[Jiggz]

Originally posted by: amaunator
I have an old dell inspiron 7500 that the system fan and hard drive died on. Rather than just junking the entire thing, is it possible to convert the removable cd burner into something that can go in a desktop?

It's probably easier to replace the system fan and hdd on the laptop than trying to make the cd burner work on a desktop. Or maybe cheaper to buy a real desktop burner.

 

[jkresh]

you could probably modify an external 2.5 usb enclosure (basically cut out the front part so you can load a disc) to covert the drive to usb 2.0 or firewire, but it would be cheaper to just buy a new drive (and it would likely be a lot faster).

 

[amaunator]

Is it worth it to repair the laptop? I found a cheap hdd for like 45 bucks, but the whole system fan thing has really been a problem. From the manual I found online, it looks like a real pain to open this thing up. Also, the only place I have been able to find the fan has been on ebay. Also, I could buy a junk duplicate from ebay and hope the fan works and put in my laptap. It comes down to is a 7 yr old laptop worth fixing? I think it has a speedstep that's like 400/600 or something P2 or P3 I think.

 

[jkresh]

might be useful as a linux box to toy around with but otherwise it doesn't seem like its worth much (on the other hand if you can fix it for < 50 then it may have its uses, as long as the battery still holds a charge).

 

[Lord Evermore]

Disassembling a laptop is a big pain, especially if you don't really know what you're doing. It is possible, and easier if you actually have a manual or a tech manual which gives you step by step instructions for each part you want to replace (like Dell provides for DCSE certification).

You may actually only need to remove the palmrest assembly to get at the fan though. This may or may not require removing the LCD panel. Even if you don't replace it, oiling the bearing may help a lot, if it's functioning at all.

But no, that laptop isn't really worth much except to someone who has no other way to have a computer. If you can find a place to donate, that'd be nice, or ebay it yourself.