PC Build Project: Converting a Laptop into a Desktop

But Why?

Because I must. That's why!

I acquired an old laptop; the HP Mini 5103. A fun little netbook style laptop dated 2010. By today's standards, that's ancient! 

​The laptop took some damage over its years as my mom's primary PC. The keyboard no longer works and the battery doesn't hold a charge. The solution? Swap the board and usable components into one of my empty, sad-looking desktop PC cases I have stacked in the corner!

The laptop is currently rocking a whole 2gb of RAM, a Hitachi 160GB HDD

I will have to grab the rest of the technical specs once I have the rig back up and running.
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The HP Mini 5103 - Image from CNET.com

The laptop's board and power/reset button PCB mounted in the case.

I carefully disassembled the laptop. Then mounted the board in the case. I decided to mount it to the floor of the case to allow extra cable-management space up above.  This also allowed me to mount the small piece of PCB that contains the power button to the back wall of the case. I am unsure at this point if I'll be able to connect any kind of power button to the front of the case. The tiny power/reset button PCB is connected to the laptop board via a very thing delicate ribbon. I'd rather just leave it alone to avoid breaking it and making the board unable to be powered on at all!

Yes, that IS a box of floppy disks behind the case. I discovered those while digging through some random odds and ends boxes.

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Pay no attention to how I've connected this very thin strip of PCB to the case wall...  

Pictured above is the finer details of the power button and the very flimsy little ribbon that connects it to the main board. The two thin cables going up behind the power strip PCB are the antennas for the WIFI receiver. They are mounted up near the top of the case to avoid blockage by cables and other components. 

I've run the power connector up to the section of the case that would normally contain the PSU. I will be using the case for a no-longer-functioning PSU I have laying about, to house the laptop's 19V power adaptor. Then I can plug the main power cable into the back of the case in the same fashion as a standard desktop PC! 

I've ordered a 90 degree-angle F to M VGA adapter to attach to the board's VGA plug, this will allow the longer F to M VGA cable to clear the walls of the case and be mounted behind the IO shield. Then I can plug a monitor in just as I would for a desktop system. I will run cables from the audio parts to the front of the case as well as USB extenders. I have a USB splitter that will expand one of the laptop board's USBs to 4 ports, giving a few additional USB connections.

As for keyboard and mouse, I have a Logitech 2 in 1 wireless mouse and keyboard set. I simply dedicate one of the onboard USBs for the receiver. 

I am going to mount the laptop's hard drive (eventually to be upgraded to something a little more modern/larger capacity) in the appropriate bays within the case via a SATA combo extender cable like the one pictured below.

Optionally I could add in an optical or other drives to the front of the case via USB-SATA/ATA power adapter and data cable. 

If I want to add additional cooling or RGB, I'd have to run extra power to the case as the 19V adaptor and laptop board are only rated to power the components they're designed for. I suppose USB-type RGB could be an option... but that will be for future consideration.

​Check back at a later time and/or follow on social media for the latest updates on this interesting little project!