What to do with old laptop

james888 · Feb 3, 2013, 06:09 AM

I have been givin and old, kinda broken, laptop. The screen is dead but the computer itself is still functional. It currently has no hdd. Its got a 1.86ghz celeron and 1gb ddr2 memory.

What would be the best use of this? It feels like a waste to just throw it away.

TRWOV · Feb 3, 2013, 07:46 AM

Maybe this could give you some ideas: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=154385

Frick · Feb 3, 2013, 07:47 AM

Use it as a secondary machine. Bolt it to the back of a monitor and make a diy aio. Give it to me.

james888 · Feb 3, 2013, 08:31 AM

That is certainly a good idea. I would have to find a monitor... hmm.
I wonder if I could do a router with it? Edit: I don't think a router would work because I need a few lan ports, not just one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frick

Use it as a secondary machine. Bolt it to the back of a monitor and make a diy aio. Give it to me.

I don't think its worth the shipping cost you would have to pay.

HammerON · Feb 3, 2013, 08:47 AM

I do not think it is worth the hassle...
Let it go to that special place that old pc's go to

james888 · Feb 3, 2013, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HammerON

I do not think it is worth the hassle...
Let it go to that special place that old pc's go to

but but but......

Seems like the easy way out and probably the best course of action. It does not have enough resources to run a server of some kind, or the lan ports for a router, or really much to at all to be useful.

HammerON · Feb 3, 2013, 08:57 AM

I feel by the time you invest any money into the rig, it will not be worth the effort. Just my two cents.

james888 · Feb 3, 2013, 09:03 AM

If I did anything I would not invest any money in it. I would just use spare stuff that come into my hands the same way this laptop has.

von kain · Feb 3, 2013, 09:56 AM

make an torrent-mame-video player-fax-calling center server. thats what i have done with my old computer.

BrooksyX · Feb 4, 2013, 08:41 PM

You could add a HDD to it and install ubuntu server onto it. Then set up a samba share and throw it in a closet for a headless file server.

brandonwh64 · Feb 4, 2013, 08:42 PM

It would be ok for a file server or some type of downloading host but nothing else. Some people make arcade machines out of them

Liquid Cool · Feb 4, 2013, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james888

If I did anything I would not invest any money in it. I would just use spare stuff that come into my hands the same way this laptop has.

This comment here and Hammeron's advice are the best comments on this thread James. Not really worth tossing any real money into it. Even if 'upgraded', you're dealing with a slow machine. Toss it in the parts pile and visit it later would be my call.

I'll add...an LCD for it would cost about as much as it's worth. Memory and CPU upgrades are limited by the onboard video...might as put your money towards a new one.

I have old computer parts tossed at me all the time, I have boxes full of them, but I resist the urge to do something with them...it's gets expensive and in the end I have something that is good for nostalgia's sake, but not as good as I'm used to so I get bored quickly.

Best,

LC

syeef · Feb 5, 2013, 09:59 AM

Keep the RAM, throw the rest away. Someday, an Idiot will need 1GB DDR2 RAM and be willing to pay big money for it.

de.das.dude · Feb 5, 2013, 11:43 AM

mount it somewhere in the kitchen etc.

Frick · Feb 5, 2013, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syeef

Keep the RAM, throw the rest away. Someday, an Idiot will need 1GB DDR2 RAM and be willing to pay big money for it.

This is one of the stupidest post I've seen in a while.

If the monitor had worked you could've turned it into a digital photo frame. Or you can see if you can find a touch monitor and turn it into a sort of home control unit, or a really big tablet. Or just a web server.

Black Panther · Feb 5, 2013, 12:47 PM

Rather than just throw it away, put in a small HDD and attach it to a monitor (even if a CRT one) and donate it to charity or to someone who needs a pc but can't afford one.

hat · Feb 5, 2013, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james888

That is certainly a good idea. I would have to find a monitor... hmm.
I wonder if I could do a router with it? Edit: I don't think a router would work because I need a few lan ports, not just one.

I don't think its worth the shipping cost you would have to pay.

You can use the onboard LAN port it already has, and use a USB NIC to add a second lan port. I would use the onboard LAN port as modem in, and then use a small ethernet cable to connect the LAN out (usb nic) to a switch and go from there.

brandonwh64 · Feb 5, 2013, 08:02 PM

USB gig nic would work as HAT said. Would def make a decent low power router.

DOM · Feb 5, 2013, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRWOV

Maybe this could give you some ideas: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=154385

thanks

i can do this for my lil ones there always on my wife laptop

xvi · Feb 5, 2013, 08:10 PM

Could be a media server if you hook it up to a stereo. Just RDP in to it and launch Pandora.

Anthony12 · Feb 20, 2013, 06:39 AM

Yeah this is good suggestions here with your old laptop but i just want to say you that you should replace your old laptop with any new laptop by exchanging the old one and i think this is the best opinion for you ....

james888 · Feb 20, 2013, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony12

Yeah this is good suggestions here with your old laptop but i just want to say you that you should replace your old laptop with any new laptop by exchanging the old one and i think this is the best opinion for you ....

If you actually read the thread it is a spare old laptop.

Anthony12 · Feb 20, 2013, 06:47 AM

Yes i know it is a spare old laptop dude but you can replace it with a new laptop and i think this is not a issue to replace becuase this is a spare laptop means not in use...

james888 · Feb 20, 2013, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony12

Yes i know it is a spare old laptop dude but you can replace it with a new laptop and i think this is not a issue to replace becuase this is a spare laptop means not in use...

The point of this thread was not to replace. I have my main laptop with a i3 2330. It was to find a creative use so I did not have to throw it out.

Anthony12 · Feb 20, 2013, 07:14 AM

ok as your wish buddy ...!!!!
no problem....

Feb 3, 2013, 06:09 AM	#1
james888 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,283 (3.27/day) Thanks: 457 Thanked 429 Times in 320 Posts System Specs	What to do with old laptop I have been givin and old, kinda broken, laptop. The screen is dead but the computer itself is still functional. It currently has no hdd. Its got a 1.86ghz celeron and 1gb ddr2 memory. What would be the best use of this? It feels like a waste to just throw it away.

Processor:	Intel Core i5-2500K @ 4.5GHz
Motherboard:	MSI P67A-GD53
Cooling:	Alphacool Monta 240mm
Memory:	G.SKILL 2GBx4 1600mhz 7-8-7-24-2N
Video Card:	Saphire 7970 OC 1250Mhz/1600Mhz
Hard Disk:	Adata sp900, WD Black 500Gb
CRT/LCD Model:	Vizio VM230XVT 1920x1080
Case:	Corsair 550d
Sound Card:	Auzentech Prelude + jvc rx700
PSU:	COUGAR SX850 850W
Software:	Windows 7 64 Bit
Benchmarks:	8224 firestrike

Feb 3, 2013, 07:46 AM	#2
TRWOV Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Mexico Posts: 2,064 (3.16/day) Thanks: 796 Thanked 1,071 Times in 556 Posts System Specs	Maybe this could give you some ideas: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=154385 __________________ My other rigs: OCTANUX - Conroe865PE - QX6800 - 4GB OCZ Platinum EL - HIS HD4670 AGP - SB Audigy 2 ZS - BFG PPU phenomenal - AM2NF3-VSTA - 965BE - 8GB OCZ Platinum LV - HIS HD3850 AGP - SB X-Fi - Asus PPU - WIP Green Tea - 939A8X-M - FX60 - 4GB OCZ Platinum EL - 7950GT AGP Re-build - CT-6VTA2 - PIII 600E - 384MB PC133 - Voodoo 5500 AGP - SB16 ISA BLUELINE - H61M-GE - PDC G645 - 8GB DDR3-1333 - Powercolor HD7750 - 2xTV Wonder 650

System Name:	Sandy Bridged 3rd Take
Processor:	Core i5-2320 @ 3.5Ghz
Motherboard:	GYGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H
Cooling:	Antec Kuhler H2O 620
Memory:	2x4GB A-DATA XPG 1600GS
Video Card:	ATi RADEON HD7870 2GB / Zotac GT430
Hard Disk:	500GB WD / 64GB Samsung SSD (SRT cache) / 2TB Seagate
Optical Drive:	Samsung SH-B123A Blu-ray/DVD-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	Acer V223W 22" LCD 1680x1050
Case:	Cooler Master Gladiator 600
PSU:	Cooler Master Silent Pro M 700w
Software:	Windows 8 Pro with Media Center
Benchmarks:	3dmark11 7925, IBT 90Gflops

System Name:	Ongoing scavanging
Processor:	Sempron 140
Motherboard:	MSI 760GM-P23 (FX)
Cooling:	Somesuch
Memory:	2GB DDR3
Video Card:	Something
Hard Disk:	160GB + 1TB
Optical Drive:	Yes
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Case:	Wossname
Sound Card:	Creative Audigy 2 ZS with front panel
PSU:	FSP400-60APN
Software:	Windows 7 Pro

Feb 3, 2013, 07:47 AM	#3
Frick Fishfaced Nincompoop Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 7,898 (2.99/day) Thanks: 1,076 Thanked 1,449 Times in 1,155 Posts System Specs	Use it as a secondary machine. Bolt it to the back of a monitor and make a diy aio. Give it to me.

Feb 3, 2013, 08:47 AM	#5
HammerON The Watchful Moderator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Cold North Posts: 4,364 (2.82/day) Thanks: 3,986 Thanked 2,881 Times in 1,544 Posts System Specs	I do not think it is worth the hassle... Let it go to that special place that old pc's go to

System Name:	Cruncher/Gamer
Processor:	i7 970
Motherboard:	ASUS Rampage III Extreme
Cooling:	H2O
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Video Card:	2x VisionTek HD 7970's
Hard Disk:	OCZ Vertex 4 256GB x2 in Raid0 + WD 640GB
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CRT/LCD Model:	Dell UltraSharp U3011 30"
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Sound Card:	On-board
PSU:	Corsair AX1200
Software:	Win 7 64bit
Benchmarks:	Always changing~

Feb 3, 2013, 08:57 AM	#7
HammerON The Watchful Moderator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Cold North Posts: 4,364 (2.82/day) Thanks: 3,986 Thanked 2,881 Times in 1,544 Posts System Specs	I feel by the time you invest any money into the rig, it will not be worth the effort. Just my two cents.

Feb 3, 2013, 09:03 AM	#8
james888 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,283 (3.27/day) Thanks: 457 Thanked 429 Times in 320 Posts System Specs	If I did anything I would not invest any money in it. I would just use spare stuff that come into my hands the same way this laptop has.

Feb 3, 2013, 09:56 AM	#9
von kain Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: athens/greece Posts: 638 (0.26/day) Thanks: 40 Thanked 51 Times in 36 Posts System Specs	make an torrent-mame-video player-fax-calling center server. thats what i have done with my old computer. __________________

System Name:	intel-hate
Processor:	Amd phenom 2 955 @ 3800
Motherboard:	msi 790fx-gd70
Cooling:	coolermaster
Memory:	4096 @1600 corsair
Video Card:	sapphire 5770 @950-1350
Hard Disk:	1 seagate 80gb sata2 1 160gb seagate sata
CRT/LCD Model:	20inch wide lg
PSU:	chieftech 750w
Software:	windows 7 x64
Benchmarks:	nah

Feb 4, 2013, 08:41 PM	#10
BrooksyX Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 3,572 (1.82/day) Thanks: 511 Thanked 570 Times in 527 Posts System Specs	You could add a HDD to it and install ubuntu server onto it. Then set up a samba share and throw it in a closet for a headless file server.

System Name:	Main / Home Media Serever
Processor:	Intel i5 2500k @ 4.75ghz / AMD AM3 5200+ x2
Motherboard:	ASRock Fatal1ty P67 Performance / Biostar 790GX
Cooling:	Xigmatek Dark Knight / XIGMATEK Apache
Memory:	16gb of G.Skill Value Series DDR3 / 4x 1gb DDR2
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Hard Disk:	2x Samsung 830 64gb SSD Raid 0 & 750gb WD Blue HDD / OCZ Vertex 30GB & 8TB of HDD Space
Optical Drive:	Blu-ray Rom & DVD-RW / DVD-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	2x Acer 20" LED 1600x900 / Samsung 40" LED
Case:	Xigmatek Asgard II / APEX PC-389-C
PSU:	OCZ Stealth Power 500w / Antec EArthwatts 380w
Software:	Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 / XBMCBuntu 11.10

Feb 4, 2013, 08:42 PM	#11
brandonwh64 Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chatsworth, GA Posts: 13,569 (10.01/day) Thanks: 2,149 Thanked 5,342 Times in 3,697 Posts System Specs	It would be ok for a file server or some type of downloading host but nothing else. Some people make arcade machines out of them __________________ Cruncher's: All GPU's GPU's: 7970 3GB Unlocked = 8 Threads 5770 1GB OCed = 2 Threads

System Name:	The StarCrunch Defender!
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Motherboard:	Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3
Cooling:	Corsair A70 Push/Pull
Memory:	G-Skill Ripjaws 2x4GB DDR3 1866mhz
Video Card:	Gigabyte 7970 3GB Reference Card at boost clocks
Hard Disk:	2x 500GB WD Blue Raid 0 / 1TB WD Black
Optical Drive:	Samsung DVD/R/RW SATA
CRT/LCD Model:	ViewSonic VG2227wm 1080P
Case:	NZXT Tempest 410 Elite
Sound Card:	Onboard Realtek (Azalia)
PSU:	Corsair 750TX
Software:	Windows 7 Home X64

System Name:	My Idle is better than your Pi
Processor:	Core i3 - 2120
Motherboard:	Intel DH67CF
Cooling:	Xigmatek Praeton/100x12mm Scythe
Memory:	Mushkin RedLine 2x4GB - 996981
Video Card:	Sapphire HD 6570 LP
Hard Disk:	Samsung 830
Optical Drive:	none
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell P2412H
Case:	Wesena ITX5
Sound Card:	onboard
PSU:	PicoPSU 150XT/144w Adapter
Software:	Windows 7

Feb 5, 2013, 09:59 AM	#13
syeef Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh Posts: 280 (0.16/day) Thanks: 151 Thanked 70 Times in 54 Posts System Specs	Keep the RAM, throw the rest away. Someday, an Idiot will need 1GB DDR2 RAM and be willing to pay big money for it.

System Name:	WorkStation
Processor:	Intel i7 3770k @ 4.4GHz
Motherboard:	ASRock Z77 Extreme6
Cooling:	Zalman 9900 Max / Thermaltake 120mm Thunderblade x2
Memory:	Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3 1600MHz
Video Card:	MSI GTX680 Twin Frozr III OC
Hard Disk:	WD 1TB Sata III
Optical Drive:	Samsung DVD-RAM 24x Sata
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung 22-inch LED 1080p
Case:	Thermaltake Commander GS-III
Sound Card:	Onboard Realtek 898 HD
PSU:	Thermaltake SMART 750W
Software:	Windows 8 Pro x64
Benchmarks:	Many thanks for banning me :D . I did it to end Double Standards and Hypocrisy here at TPU.

Feb 5, 2013, 11:43 AM	#14
de.das.dude Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Wild Wild East Posts: 4,585 (4.26/day) Thanks: 2,337 Thanked 1,342 Times in 919 Posts System Specs	mount it somewhere in the kitchen etc. __________________ my wallet isnt hashwell compatiple sad face

System Name:	SuperDuperUberComputer
Processor:	AMD Phenom II 945 X4 3.0Ghz
Motherboard:	ASRock 990FX Extreme 4
Cooling:	CM Hyper 212 EVO push:pull+ 1 panaflow 113CFM + 2 x 120mm NZXTs
Memory:	2x4GB DDR3 Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz CL9
Video Card:	GIGABYTE GTS450 OC2
Hard Disk:	SATA II 80GB Hitachi 7200RPM,W.D 500GB Green \|\| 4GB int + random SD cards
Optical Drive:	ASUS DVD drive
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung Sync Master 793s CRT\|
Case:	NZXT Guardian 921RB
Sound Card:	Realtek ALC892 with THX True Studio
PSU:	Corsair GS600
Software:	Windows 7 64bit
Benchmarks:	real men dont need to bench :p

Feb 5, 2013, 12:47 PM	#16
Black Panther Senior Moderator™ Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7,062 (3.23/day) Thanks: 2,170 Thanked 1,838 Times in 1,104 Posts System Specs	Rather than just throw it away, put in a small HDD and attach it to a monitor (even if a CRT one) and donate it to charity or to someone who needs a pc but can't afford one. __________________ *My Great White Bengal build* Join the techPowerUp! Official Group on Facebook.

System Name:	BlackPanther -- Great White Bengal
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Memory:	2x2048 DDR2 Apacer 890Mhz -- 3 x 2048 DDR3 Mushkin black line
Video Card:	Sapphire OC 5970 --Zotac 670 4GB
Hard Disk:	Intel 160GB SSD, eSata Seagate 250GB -- 240GB SSD Sandisk Extreme
Optical Drive:	LG DVD-RAM -- Sony BWU-500S-WW
CRT/LCD Model:	22" 1680x1050 LG Flatron -- 27" 2560x1440 Dell U2711
Case:	Aeroengine Jr -- NZXT Switch 810 White
Sound Card:	X-Fi Xtreme Music 5.1 -- Onboard sound & Z5500 Speakers
PSU:	Corsair HX850W Modular -- NZXT HALE90 850W PSU
Software:	Windows 7 x64 on both systems

System Name:	Starlifter // Dragonfly
Processor:	(lapped) i7 920 4GHz 1.3v // 1090T 3.6GHz 1.3v
Motherboard:	Asus Rampage III // Gigabyte GA-770T-USB3
Cooling:	(lapped) Corsair H70 // (lapped) TT Big Typhoon
Memory:	3x2GB DDR3 1600 10-10-10-30-128-1T 1.5v // 2x2GB DDR3 1333 9-9-9-24-1T 1.5v
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Hard Disk:	Plextor M5S 128GB + 512GB OCZ Agility 4 + 2TB WD20EARS // WDC Black 500GB
Optical Drive:	SATA DVD-RW // IDE CD-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell/Alienware AW2310 + 19" HDTV // 19" HDTV
Case:	Antec SOHO 1030B // some really old white case... but it's decent
Sound Card:	Creative X-Fi Fatality Professional // onboard (disabled)
PSU:	Antec NeoHe 550W // Corsair CX600w
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Feb 5, 2013, 08:02 PM	#18
brandonwh64 Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chatsworth, GA Posts: 13,569 (10.01/day) Thanks: 2,149 Thanked 5,342 Times in 3,697 Posts System Specs	USB gig nic would work as HAT said. Would def make a decent low power router. __________________ Cruncher's: All GPU's GPU's: 7970 3GB Unlocked = 8 Threads 5770 1GB OCed = 2 Threads

System Name:	Daily Rig/Bench Rig
Processor:	Intel i7 3770K/Intel i7 3770K
Motherboard:	ASUS Maximus V GENE/Asrock OC Formula
Cooling:	Water/SS-LN2
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Video Card:	EK Full WB HD7970/To Many XD
CRT/LCD Model:	Asus VE248H 24"/LG 22"
Case:	Danger Den Torture Rack/Table XD
Sound Card:	Onboard/None
PSU:	ENERMAX REVOLUTION85+ 1050W /CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX1200
Software:	W7 64Bit/XP/W7 64Bit

Feb 5, 2013, 08:10 PM	#20
xvi Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington, US Posts: 870 (0.36/day) Thanks: 489 Thanked 225 Times in 124 Posts System Specs	Could be a media server if you hook it up to a stereo. Just RDP in to it and launch Pandora. __________________ Any computer, no matter how old, can serve a meaningful purpose. Behind every closet door is a dusty computer waiting to be reborn.

System Name:	Phoenix
Processor:	AMD Phenom II X6 1100T @ 3.7GHz
Motherboard:	DFI LanParty DK 790FXB-M3H5
Cooling:	Xigmatek S-1283 Push/Pull
Memory:	G.SKILL 2x2GB DDR3-1600//G.SKILL 2x4GB DDR3-1600
Video Card:	ASUS OEM Radeon HD 5870
Hard Disk:	2x Segate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB in RAID0
Optical Drive:	Sony DVD+-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung SyncMaster 2343 (23" 2048x1152)
Case:	Thermaltake Xaser II (Ancient)
Sound Card:	Realtek ALC-885 driving a Logitech z-5500
PSU:	BFG LS-550 (Never buying from them again)
Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate

Feb 20, 2013, 06:39 AM	#21
Anthony12 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: United States Posts: 7 (0.07/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yeah this is good suggestions here with your old laptop but i just want to say you that you should replace your old laptop with any new laptop by exchanging the old one and i think this is the best opinion for you ....

Feb 20, 2013, 06:47 AM	#23
Anthony12 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: United States Posts: 7 (0.07/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yes i know it is a spare old laptop dude but you can replace it with a new laptop and i think this is not a issue to replace becuase this is a spare laptop means not in use...

Feb 20, 2013, 07:14 AM	#25
Anthony12 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: United States Posts: 7 (0.07/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ok as your wish buddy ...!!!! no problem....

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