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    Laptop Sega Mega Drive Case mod DC/USB Daughterboard

    Discussion in 'Notebook Cosmetic Modifications and Custom Builds' started by DMC-12, Feb 21, 2012.

  1. DMC-12

    DMC-12 Newbie

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    Right, so I'm taking the internals from an old Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop and putting them into the case of a Sega Mega Drive, so I can use it as a media PC connected to my TV. The motherboard fits perfectly except for one thing, the DC/USB Daughterboard when connected protrudes about an inch out of the back. As It is a seperate board, I was wondering if it was possible to make a Riser cable so I can mount the DC board at 90 degrees. If I was to make a Riser cable, what sort of wire would be best to use? And would it be possible to solder it to the outside pins of the connectors instead of the inside?

    The Connector:


    How I want to mount it:



    Any help or advice would be appreciated!
     
    DMC-12, Feb 21, 2012
    #1
  2. pengy_666

    pengy_666 Notebook Evangelist

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    Welcome to NBR!

    You could get two connectors one of the male and one of the female, Then use a old IDE cable stripped down and create a cable. You will need to solder it.

    Only issue worth checking is wether the IDE ribbon could withstand the voltage. Its just an idea?


    This sounds like a great project. Is the graphics card capable of running XBMC or MC?
     
    pengy_666, Feb 21, 2012
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  3. whitrzac

    whitrzac The orange end is cold...

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    Does the laptop have other USB ports? it may be easier to get a few hubs.


    The pins on the board look easy enough to solder to(if your good) some 20-30ish gauge wire would work nicely.
     
    whitrzac, Feb 21, 2012
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  4. DMC-12

    DMC-12 Newbie

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    It does have other USB Ports, but it's the DC connector I need.

    It should be able to run XBMC, It's got 2gb ram and I'm pretty sure it's a Dual core processor, Not really had it running to check as it had a bad hard drive when I got it.

    I'll definitely invest in a few smaller heads for my soldering iron then, and try to find some older leaded solder, Can't stand the lead free stuff!
     
    DMC-12, Feb 21, 2012
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  5. funky monk

    funky monk Notebook Deity

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    My friend managed to solder his display cable back together after it melted, so I think you should be fine.

    As far as solder goes, I can't stand the lead free stuff either.
     
    funky monk, Feb 21, 2012
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  6. pengy_666

    pengy_666 Notebook Evangelist

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    It just doesn't have the same smell when you working away.

    :)

    Tbh I asked about it running media centre stuff is, you dont wanna finish it and find it just doesnt cut it display wise. It would be a Shame to go to all the effort of doing this and find it can't display HD videos well enough.
     
    pengy_666, Feb 22, 2012
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  7. DMC-12

    DMC-12 Newbie

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    A blu-ray drive was an option for this laptop, so I'm pretty sure it should be okay playing HD videos
     
    DMC-12, Feb 22, 2012
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  8. pengy_666

    pengy_666 Notebook Evangelist

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    Awesome

    :D
     
    pengy_666, Feb 22, 2012
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  9. apocalypt077

    apocalypt077 Newbie

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    Great idea! Keep us posted!
     
    apocalypt077, Mar 22, 2012
    #9