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Bonkers idea or not -convert broken i7 laptop into NAS server ??
Hi folks
I've got a broken i7 laptop that someone was chucking out - 2 X USb 3 ports too -. The connection to the screen is broken and the lid ripped off --rest of Mobo works fine.
Was thinking of removing the Mobo and installing in a small form factor box to create a NAS server for an old friend of mine (i7 a bit overkill - but why not - won't have any transcoding problems when using PLEX etc !!!!).
The Video still works fine from the mobo via mini-HDMI and for external HDD just use an external 2 BAY USB 3 enclosure. Internal OS can run on an SSD - that connection still fine and working as is the power supply - but I could disconnect that and use a proper one on the CUBE form factor box. I7 running 24/7 is going to need better cooling than the typical laptop gives.
Since in any case this thing will run headless we don't really need a video out at all anyway.
Seems a real cheap way of doing this -- Small form factor box with power supply around 50 EUR, 2 X say 3 TB HDD's and a USB 3 2 port HDD bay, plus a couple of extra fans for cooling.
I love playing around with this sort of gear -- people often throw away quite salvageable material if you can devise uses for it.
Saves HUGELY on paying for brand new stuff which probably won't perform as good.
Am I being really Bonkers here -- probably but I'm interested in trying it. !!!
Cheers
jimbo