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2/28/11

Dissecting a Frog Was Never This Fun

I am sad to report... my laptop is dead.

But I'm not one to give up easily.  It may still be of some worth to me.


I decided to take it apart for two reasons.  One, I wanted to see how it went together.  If I get another laptop, I want to know how to pimp it out.  Two, I wanted to see if I could fix the problem.  Alas, I couldn't.  The motherboard is completely fried, and an expensive part to replace.

What made it fun, was I didn't quite remember how to put it back together...


But I don't think I need to put it back together.  I looked at a few sites, and it made me think of selling it for parts.  The motherboard is no good, and the Hard Drive isn't wiped, but I can sell the battery, the monitor, the memory, etc.  Maybe I can get a few bucks from it?

What I am probably going to do is replace it with a true blue PC.  Both my gf and I have laptops, and there is no desktop in the house.  Not for long.

I have built a PC from scratch before, and I'm looking forward to do it again.

But before I begin... I'm asking for advice.  Are there any sites that you, my followers, recommend for the best deals?  I usually check frugaldad.com when shopping for any deals or discounts.  They usually have a bit of everything.

Are there certain parts I HAVE to have?

Intel vs AMD?

Nvidia vs ATI?

Windows vs Linux?

Traditional-looking box, something with LEDs like an Alienware box, or should I go crazy and do something like this???


Let me know what you all think.  I am very open to suggestion, and would like some feedback with the designing process.  Cheers!



Oh, and Edit:  Check this out!!



Edit #2... check out this funny as fuck post!  I just learned about buttlube beer.
Please Share it! :)

41 witty retorts:

Con Queso said...

The two sites I go to for computer parts is newegg and tigerdirect, but I haven't built a new computer in age. Good luck fixing that.

Choirchick22 said...

Dude that compy at the end looks so sick! Definitely do something cool like that!

rinns said...

Don't wipe the hdd and sell it to someone, think of it as a little surprise on the side. ;P

Aaron Cunningham said...

Get the crazy case that's shaped likea pyramid!

Anonymous. said...

That last PC picture is awesome.

pizzafuckyes said...

Intel and windows has generally worked better for me... btw nice picture in the end

Anonymous said...

I haven't built a computer in a long time. Since you and your GF are going to be using it I would stick with windows for the ease of use. If it was just you I would go with linux.

The Almighty Lewis said...

Newegg and Tiger Direct for parts. Crazy PC for leds and neons. I'd go AMD for the processor for the price, unless you're getting one of the intel I series. And go something outlandish for the case, make it a beast.

Me said...

Taking computers apart is always fun!

Ante Babaja said...

go crazy :D we want statue of liberty or something like that xD

llllollllll said...

I'm really tempted to open up my laptop but I'm always worried that once it's open, it's open forever. Putting it together again is damn hard.

Chris Phillips said...

+1 for newegg.

Rebecca said...

that last pic is too cool i love it

Joe Somebody said...

I replaced a dvd drive in a macbook pro once. almost 100 steps to complete.

zepdragon said...

Like Con Queso said, I also recommend Newegg and TigerDirect. Currently I am in college for Computer Programming and I can offer a little bit of advice. Also, Windows 7 is great, it's like Windows XP on Steroids.

Now then: Windows 7, everyone is getting it. It works. It's awesome. Bad side: It's still windows.

Linux: Amazing demonstration of open-souce code become. It is estimated that 97.68% of virus's are created for windows, making Linux safer to use. While Linux can be a little tricky to learn, once you get the hang of it thought it is quite fun.

I currently run Windows 7 Laptop, XP/Ubuntu Linux Dual-Boot Desktop, and Android OS on another Laptop.

Hope this helps at least a little, and if you decide to go Linux, I recommend Ubuntu, unless you are a die hard Windows fan in which case you may find it easier to go with Mandriva Linux as a start to make the switch easier.

Love the blog, and following!

T. Banacek said...

I only know of computer places in Canada like NCIX and Canada Computers. Sorry, man.

Anonymous said...

Go crazy and build something like the last picture! That thing looks amazing!!!

Jaylan said...

That box in the end is sick nasty lol

brug said...

Personaly, I like Intel processores more than AMD.

Nvidia or Ati ? Well, depends on what type of computer you want to make, gamer or non-gamer.. Both brands are good choices, but you should spend some extra bucks if you want a good gamer computer.

I use windows, although Linux is better for some things. I'm using Ubuntu Server on my personal dedicated server for example.. But I would go for win7 to desktop computer

Havuelete said...

I've never used Linux, so can't really compare. But I'm very happy with windows 7, it's really rock hard. Much better than the previous windows

Shutterbug said...

I don't know anything about computers other than mine gets really loud. :)

RQ said...

I recently built a new computer, everything was from newegg. Wasn't in a hurry so I picked everything out and waited for it to go on sale or something similar to go on sale.

afrodude50 said...

Make a sick looking computer, dude

G said...

Go crazy!!!
I've been looking at building one in an old fish tank using mineral oil to keep it all cool and show it off....they look awesome!

Anonymous said...

Lefthandedstraw: Nice bash on my comp using skills... I can keep up with what he can do quite well, thanks.


I guess no one would ever need a nightlight in our house again with that last one though...

Melodic Mayhem said...

my next custom rig will be made of wood

Chuck said...

Dont forget the little things, thermal paste, cables to ground yourself during the build, sufficient cooling, power supply capable of handling future upgrades. Review every part until the cows come home and never ever buy cheap nasty RAM.

Eric P said...

I like the new theme you've got working here. I'd go for Intel, nvidia, and Windows 7; but that's just me. That pyramid-shaped computer is so awesome!

Jesse Brooks said...

I'd second newegg and tigerdirect, both are great for prices. I'm a windows man myself, as I play a lot of games. Windows 7 is great if you haven't used it.

I'm more of a well-built-but-understated case kind of guy. Lian Li are my favorite.

Good luck with the build!

Great blog btw, I'll be back!

THUNDERCAT said...

I'm gonna do some searching for you to find a site or company that buys parts even the fried shit. I remember finding one that bought cell phone parts but I remember it bought computer parts as well! I'll hunt it down for you asap!

Spiderflaw said...

Dude, that's a pretty insane lookin' PC o_o
I wish i could do something like that with my xbox to tells ya tha truth.

Charles said...

laptops are gnarly to reassemble, but at least save the cards, drives and LCD (maybe the fans too)

also I am afraid I am way too OCD to have a pyramid PC...

Kicking Rocks said...

make the box look like the ark of the covenant!

Rachel Neilson said...

I wish I was technical like that lol

A Beer for the Shower said...

I'll just say it, I have a raging nerd-on for that pyramid computer.

mamtc said...

Man - u r one multifaced personality..Yesterday u were talking about Tyra today u have a post like total nerd...Who r u??

Unknown said...

@meandmythinkingcap: I am the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. I am Sam Jackson in pulp fiction. I will fuck shit up.

@Thundercat: So like a laptop chop shop? Yeah, that's what I'm looking for. Craigslist and ebay just aren't gonna cut it.

@Chuck: Word. Grounding is key. There's no way I'm gonna spend big money on a MoBo and then zzzzap it up.

@Yesterday's Echo: Preach! Btw, this is my gf and her blog. She's really smart, and won't be building a rig with me, but I wouldn't be surprised if she could figure it out. She's one smart cookie (and damn sexy too).

Shelby Fox said...

I don't think I'd attempt a post like that if you dont' have some serious construction skills.

I'm good at taking apart computers, but cutting apart plastic like this could go downhill really fast.

Anonymous said...

I can't recommend you any site becuase It would be a bit expensive for you paying the shipping from Spain, BUT I always prfer ATI, AMD and Windows, and well, if you know how to keep it cool put leds and stuff, or even make a crazy case, but I will always prefer good ole gaming cases.

Zakk said...

I just stopped by to show some support, but man, that was a really great post!

StuffGuy7 said...

As a few people have said before me, Newegg is great site for computer parts. I would go for AMD, from a price perspective, and Windows from a compatibility perspective. Can't really say much for ATI vs Nvidia. Make sure you do some shopping around before making a final purchase. Reviews, and benchmarks are all over the place.

Thanks for the interesting post. Hope you can get a few bucks from the old laptop parts. also, if you get a chance take a look at my blog, it shows quite a few useful websites.
Rawbhal's Interwebular Emporium

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