Upgrading notebook computers

Does anybody out there know how easy/difficult it is to upgrade a notebook computer? I have an opportunity to purchase an older notebook (cheap) that I would have to install a CD-ROM, bigger HD and probably better RAM into it - and I wanted to know if it would be too hard to be worth it. If you need details, ask specific questions and I'll do my best to get the info.

Shouldnt be *too* bad. Those are all user servicable parts.

[residue]

it's more of a financial than technical issue.

Here's the scoop. It's for my girlfriend for school. I can buy the machine for $50 - it's 6-7 years old, as far as I know has no CD-Rom, a tiny (200 meg I think) hard drive, no network card or modem.

I want to get a Rom drive for it, a network card, upgrade the RAM and put in a bigger HD, but I don't know whether or not I'll run into problems with different sizes, no slots, etc. (of course it doesn't help that I've never actually laid eyes on the thing)...

[Camel toe joe]

sounds like more trouble then it's worth just my 2 coconuts, besides just steal one:cool:

It's usually ALOT hard IMO, b/c:

1. Parts can be a bitch to get.
2. ummm...see #1.
3. They tend to take proprietary to unheard of levels (makes the compaq of old look downright friendly)
4. smaller parts usually = more expensive (i.e. the HD's).

I've never personally tried, so maybe I'm wrong, but good luck buying a new mobo for it if that's needed to get it modern enough to run something besides win95/98. 6-7yr. old laptop might be on EDO mem (which is ungodly expensive, and shit), or old pc66mem, which can SOMETIMES be a bitch to find in the appropriate size. If it's brand name, Crucial.com is your best bet, or else pny.com (both have pretty big databases of memory).

I want to build one of my own from scratch, but don't really know where to get 3 main pieces: Case, LCD screen, and mobo. I know I could buy a thin 15" desktop LCD and mod it, but I'd really like to buy actual laptop parts, like I do for my 3 desktops.....

[shockwave203]

I thought almost ALL notebook computers (except the newest ones) could not be upgraded. Or is that just the video? I know that video can't be upgraded...

[-HaVoC-]

Some can you have to let us no the make and model. Once we have that the parts can be found if available and priced.

Originally posted by -HaVoC-
Some can you have to let us no the make and model.

Oh man what is going on on the North shore:rotflmao:

you can't upgrade older notebook computers.

newwer ones have the ability to have special made ram installed later (at abpout 2x the price) and upgrading the hdd is unheard of.

Upgrading HD is not unheard of, just not as cheap as desktop. I know a good shop in Orlando that does it regularly. Only thing special about laptop memory is they use SODIMM's, instead of DIMM, which are about 1/2 size of regular DIMM.

Shock, you are correct on the video, b/c ALL mobo's have integrated vid, although some of the newer ATI chipsets supposedly support upgradability, I'm not quite sure the details. The biggest challenge with an old notebook is drivers, they can be either impossible to find, or they only have drivers up to MAYBE 2000, more likely win98/me.

Hey, thanks for the info, guys. I think I'll just buy a new one for her instead. Thanks.

[-HaVoC-]

Originally posted by Rocky Dennis
Oh man what is going on on the North shore:rotflmao:

I think the winter finally got to my head. Where are the Stripaaaah's?!

Originally posted by -HaVoC-
I think the winter finally got to my head. Where are the Stripaaaah's?!

Nah, it's what I like to call "Sudden brain thaw" - the temps been in the 50's and the frost that formed in our brains during the deep freeze has f'd up our synapses.. should be okay in about two or three weeks - Dr. recommends a liquid diet.

CD-ROM, probably not, unless there a battery/cdrom bay currently holding a battery you can remove for it. Memory, probably not to bad if you can find it. HDD, maybe, just be aaware that the laptop may be limited to 512 Mb, or if you're lucky, 2.1 Gb. Video, almost certainly not...it's usually hard wired onto the mbd. Network card: pray. IF it doesn'y have PCMCIA (PC Card) slots, you won't get it.

HAve fun. I suggest saving some more money up, and getting no more than 2-3 year old laptop.