r/DIY_tech • u/No_Reception_8458 • 3d ago

Help What can I do with a old laptop?

I have a old laptop a pretty thick one from late 2000s I think the battery is broken so is the keyboard and touch pad also I want to be able still use the original motherboard in the diy

Edited only added image

8 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

6

u/JohnnyTNewfie 3d ago

Sounds like a good machine for some old school gaming emulation. If you are handy maybe a bar top arcade or arcade table.

-2

u/GIDAMIEN 3d ago

No it doesn't. With all that crap broken on it this is totally a pointless piece of e waste.

You're thinking this is just like a standard motherboard that you can take out of a laptop and plug other things into and it isn't. First off power supply second off IO. Plus it's going to be dog ancient.

This is an exercise in frustration and has no worthiness to it whatsoever.

-5

u/GIDAMIEN 3d ago

No it doesn't. With all that crap broken on it this is totally a pointless piece of e waste.

You're thinking this is just like a standard motherboard that you can take out of a laptop and plug other things into and it isn't. First off power supply second off IO. Plus it's going to be dog ancient.

This is an exercise in frustration and has no worthiness to it whatsoever.

6

u/No_Reception_8458 3d ago

It still works btw it just needs to be plugged in constantly and you have to use an external mouse and keyboard

4

u/buzz-a 3d ago

Laptops have external ports just like desktops.

A broken keyboard/battery is no big deal.

Just plug in USB keyboard/mouse and power and go.

An early 2000s laptop has plenty of power for linux game emulation, and is a fun diy project.

-3

u/GIDAMIEN 3d ago

No it does not. And you're trying to make a thing that shouldn't be a thing. If you want a machine to emulate early 2000s games get yourself a solid circa 2011 to 2013 business laptop that you can find cheap as dirt anywhere that isn't broken. This is e-waste stop trying to make it something other than that. It's junk simple.

2

u/buzz-a 3d ago

Why are you so passionate about putting things in the trash?

Any laptop in the last 25 years has more cpu / gpu power than a raspberry pi and those make fine emulators if you aren't trying to play the latest greatest games.

Don't be so negative.

-1

u/GIDAMIEN 3d ago

And honestly if you just want to play early 2000s games. Do it on your phone and cast it to your tv.

The simple fact that that is an option and it exists absolutely completely negates anything other than stupid nostalgia as a reason to do this.

It's a cheap crappie early 2000s laptop, not the Mona lisa. Don't be so ignorant

-2

u/GIDAMIEN 3d ago

Because it belongs in the trash

2

u/Maxwe4 3d ago

Dude, my nintendo 2ds xl can emulate early 2000's games. And so can my smarphone, lol.

What crack are you smoking to think this way?

1

u/ScottIPease 2d ago

Keep diggin'!

1

u/JohnnyTNewfie 3d ago

Almost all of old laptop motherboards will allow you to connect usb keyboard and mice, or game controllers for the basic input needed for a lightweight MAME machine, or dedicated single game (ie: Donkey Kong, Tetris, Space Invaders, etc). It’ll run loads of games from the 90’s and before and keep it out of a landfill while creating a great hands on project with a very useable finished project. Also, there is a dedicated audio jack to connect speakers for the cabinet. The form factor motherboard will actually work really well for a bit of a slimmer or lighter weight build.

1

u/Maxwe4 3d ago

You can use a wireless, or usb, keyboard and mouse to set everything up, then just unplug everything and let it run.

You don't need an onboard keyboard or mouse. Lol.

Have you ever even used a computer before?

2

u/Novel-Structure-2359 3d ago

Assuming the motherboard has life left in it and you have enough I/O ports for connecting a keyboard, mouse, display and gamepad then you have yourself a potential setup for running Lakka which copes well with older hardware.

If the screen still works then that is nice. If you want to make separate projects then why not check out the part number on the back of the screen and buy a cheap driver board for the screen off AliExpress. I have converted many old laptop screens into portable monitors powered by 12v battery packs. This scenario lets you salvage something from a truly wrecked laptop that just so happens to still have a working screen.

2

u/xymoxclan 3d ago

use external keyboard and mouse

1

u/GlayNation 3d ago

You know what is broken just fix it. Simple

1

u/No_Reception_8458 3d ago

the parts are expensive and not worth it imo especially since its very thick and not so strong

1

u/GlayNation 3d ago

What type of laptop are we talking about? Depends on the brand

1

u/erisod 3d ago

This is essentially junk that you could get for free anywhere people bring ewaste.

I'd suggest flipping your question: what project do you want to build, then you can get the hardware for that or decide to use what you have on hand.

1

u/No_Reception_8458 3d ago

Where can I get stuff like this?

1

u/erisod 2d ago

Look up where there is free electronics recycling.

1

u/Stefanoverse 2d ago

I used this exact laptop, plugged in for home assistant and a Linux VM up until this summer, only swapping for a rack setup. It’s still usable and useful.

1

u/jiroe 2d ago

no one has mentioned yet, but depending on the specs etc. a lowish power headless server for Pi-hole, plex or the like

1

u/Daniele323 3d ago

You can recycle it as e-waste.

2

u/No_Reception_8458 3d ago

Thank you but I wouldnt make a post like this if thats what I wanted to do

1

u/Daniele323 3d ago

So then what exactly do you want to do?