Upgrading the interior: Inspiron 8000 to 8200?

Hi there, I have a Inspiron 8000 with a really good screen.

I would like to buy an 8200 without keyboard, without screen and with a
broken base so to "upgrade" my 8000. I would replace the interior of my
8000 putting the motherboard of the 8200 in it.
Is that possible? Are the two cases really identical or there are
differences?

Another question for the keyboard: I see that the keyboards for
8000/8100 are DIFFERENT from those of 8200. Is that a difference in the
connector or a difference in the shape? I ask this because if it is a
difference in the connector, I would then need an 8200 keyboard, while
if it is a difference in the shape I would then need an 8000 keyboard.

BTW I already know the screens are interchangeable. The question is only
for the "case" and the keyboard.

Thanks in advance.

linuxnewbie1234 wrote:
> Hi there, I have a Inspiron 8000 with a really good screen.
>
> I would like to buy an 8200 without keyboard, without screen and with a
> broken base so to "upgrade" my 8000. I would replace the interior of my
> 8000 putting the motherboard of the 8200 in it.
> Is that possible? Are the two cases really identical or there are
> differences?
>
> Another question for the keyboard: I see that the keyboards for
> 8000/8100 are DIFFERENT from those of 8200. Is that a difference in the
> connector or a difference in the shape? I ask this because if it is a
> difference in the connector, I would then need an 8200 keyboard, while
> if it is a difference in the shape I would then need an 8000 keyboard.
>
> BTW I already know the screens are interchangeable. The question is only
> for the "case" and the keyboard.
>
> Thanks in advance.

If it ain't broke...

wrote:

> If it ain't broke...

If it ain't broke WHAT??

"linuxnewbie1234" <> wrote in message
news:457c1cb2$0$28835$ anews.com...
> wrote:
>
>> If it ain't broke...
>
> If it ain't broke WHAT??


.....don't fix it.

Tom Lake

linuxnewbie1234 wrote:
> wrote:
>
> > If it ain't broke...
>
> If it ain't broke WHAT??

.... Don't fix it. The project you want to undertake is beyond the
abilities of 95% or more of the professional laptop repairmen. For most
of the rest, there isn't any economic reason to justify that kind of
operation.

A handful might attempt it if the inspiron 8000 had a dead motherboard.
But since you are describing this as an UPGRADE, we presume you have a
working unit. The chances of turning a working unit into a nonworking
unit are very high here. That's IF the motherboards are even
compatible.

If you insist on upgrading the CPU, you can do that. Much cheaper and
easier. Better chance of a good outcome. Because of heat and power
concerns, even a cpu upgrade is an iffy deal. Laptops don't have a lot
of margin built into their cooling system.


Inspiron 8000 service manual.

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...v/en/index.htm

wrote:
> linuxnewbie1234 wrote:
>> wrote:
>>
>>> If it ain't broke...
>> If it ain't broke WHAT??
>
> ... Don't fix it. The project you want to undertake is beyond the
> abilities of 95% or more of the professional laptop repairmen.

LOL! I don't believe this
If they can't replace a mobo what can they do?

I have built desktop PCs for myself since ever, and never broke
anything. I don't think a laptop is THAT different. I also have replaced
the videocard in my 8000.

> A handful might attempt it if the inspiron 8000 had a dead motherboard.
> But since you are describing this as an UPGRADE, we presume you have a
> working unit. The chances of turning a working unit into a nonworking
> unit are very high here. That's IF the motherboards are even
> compatible.
>
> If you insist on upgrading the CPU, you can do that. Much cheaper and
> easier.

I don't think I can put a Pentium-M (8200 CPU) on the mobo of my 8000
(PIII)... Or can I? I would be surprised if the connector was the same
and the bios even supported the Pentium-M.

> Better chance of a good outcome.

I'm not sure. Disassembling the CPU from the MOBO needs removing and
replacing the heat sink. If you have built desktop PCs you know that
installing the heatsink without breaking the CPU core is the most
difficult operation of all the assembling. I probably can skip this step
if I replace the motherboard alltogether.


Now if somebody would answer my original questions...

Thanks

linuxnewbie1234 wrote:
> wrote:
> > linuxnewbie1234 wrote:
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> If it ain't broke...
> >> If it ain't broke WHAT??
> >
> > ... Don't fix it. The project you want to undertake is beyond the
> > abilities of 95% or more of the professional laptop repairmen.
>
> LOL! I don't believe this
> If they can't replace a mobo what can they do?
>

They CAN replace motherboards. They get a nice, shiny new one from
Dell (or whoever makes the laptop they're working on). That's the RIGHT
motherboard. Though a motherboard replacement is often an expensive
repair (big labor charge): when cost of repair approaches cost of
replacement unit, most honest repairmen tell their customers that,
before proceeding.

They just don't replace GOOD motherboards. And they don't do
xenotransplantations on the motherboard.

> I have built desktop PCs for myself since ever, and never broke
> anything. I don't think a laptop is THAT different. I also have replaced
> the videocard in my 8000.
>
> > A handful might attempt it if the inspiron 8000 had a dead motherboard.
> > But since you are describing this as an UPGRADE, we presume you have a
> > working unit. The chances of turning a working unit into a nonworking
> > unit are very high here. That's IF the motherboards are even
> > compatible.
> >
> > If you insist on upgrading the CPU, you can do that. Much cheaper and
> > easier.
>
> I don't think I can put a Pentium-M (8200 CPU) on the mobo of my 8000
> (PIII)... Or can I? I would be surprised if the connector was the same
> and the bios even supported the Pentium-M.

I meant find a faster P3 chip.

>
> > Better chance of a good outcome.
>
> I'm not sure. Disassembling the CPU from the MOBO needs removing and
> replacing the heat sink. If you have built desktop PCs you know that
> installing the heatsink without breaking the CPU core is the most
> difficult operation of all the assembling. I probably can skip this step
> if I replace the motherboard alltogether.

It's not so bad on laptops (the heatsink is held on with screws, and
the socket releases the chip with a screw). And you have to get the
heatsink out to remove the motherboard anyway.


Alternate repair:

Find an 8200 with dead screen. Use yours. The screen is what you're
stuck on anyhow.

Then you can keep half of the 8000 around if your 8200 dies (from
something other than a dead screen).

Just make sure you get the hard drive caddy.


> Now if somebody would answer my original questions...
>
> Thanks

A laptop IS THAT different. Desktop computers use standard commodity parts
with standard commodity form factors. Even the Dell desktops that use somewhat
proprietary motherboards use otherwise commodity drives, memory and CPUs.

A laptop is different because the disassembly and reassembly are painstaking and
meticulous. One false move and you snap an important piece of plastic. The
parts are MUCH more fragile than desktop parts.

A laptop is different because each model is custom designed, taking into account
(for better or worse) thermal and power considerations. There IS some
carryover of parts among models of essentially the same generations, because
these folks are not so dumb to know that you get economies of scale using the
same CD-ROM drive and bezel, the same drive tray and the same memory slot cover
across several models.

The ONLY reason a pro laptop repairman would undertake a transplant of an 8200
board into an 8000 chassis is if he/she could disassemble the two, lay them out
side by side, and see that the 8200 board would fit perfectly inside the 8000
chassis. None of us here can tell you that this is so. Nobody from Dell will
tell you, because it is not in Dell's best interests to tell you. They'd
rather sell you a new laptop.

We are only trying to save you from your own worst impulses... Ben Myers

On Sun, 10 Dec 2006 20:52:49 +0100, linuxnewbie1234
<> wrote:

> wrote:
>> linuxnewbie1234 wrote:
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> If it ain't broke...
>>> If it ain't broke WHAT??
>>
>> ... Don't fix it. The project you want to undertake is beyond the
>> abilities of 95% or more of the professional laptop repairmen.
>
>LOL! I don't believe this
>If they can't replace a mobo what can they do?
>
>I have built desktop PCs for myself since ever, and never broke
>anything. I don't think a laptop is THAT different. I also have replaced
>the videocard in my 8000.
>
>> A handful might attempt it if the inspiron 8000 had a dead motherboard.
>> But since you are describing this as an UPGRADE, we presume you have a
>> working unit. The chances of turning a working unit into a nonworking
>> unit are very high here. That's IF the motherboards are even
>> compatible.
>>
>> If you insist on upgrading the CPU, you can do that. Much cheaper and
>> easier.
>
>I don't think I can put a Pentium-M (8200 CPU) on the mobo of my 8000
>(PIII)... Or can I? I would be surprised if the connector was the same
>and the bios even supported the Pentium-M.
>
>> Better chance of a good outcome.
>
>I'm not sure. Disassembling the CPU from the MOBO needs removing and
>replacing the heat sink. If you have built desktop PCs you know that
>installing the heatsink without breaking the CPU core is the most
>difficult operation of all the assembling. I probably can skip this step
>if I replace the motherboard alltogether.
>
>
>Now if somebody would answer my original questions...
>
>Thanks

The Boards will physically fit each others base plastics HOWEVER were you
may come unstuck is if the 8200 has a firewire port you may need to break
out a plastic cover BUT be very very careful as the plastics are very
fragile and you can /probably will break them if you do not know where to
pull/excert the right amount of pressure.

And finally to the poster that said "I have built desktop PCs for myself
since ever, and never broke
anything. I don't think a laptop is THAT different. I also have replaced the
videocard in my 8000." laptops are that differnt compare say a Dell Lat D600
and a sony Vaio strip them apart and they are totally unlike, except for the
core componants. i can strip and re assemble a D600 in about 10/15 mins as
its my job and i'm experianced at it but as for the sony it would take me a
couple of hours

"Ben Myers" <> wrote in message
news:...
>A laptop IS THAT different. Desktop computers use standard commodity
>parts
> with standard commodity form factors. Even the Dell desktops that use
> somewhat
> proprietary motherboards use otherwise commodity drives, memory and CPUs.
>
> A laptop is different because the disassembly and reassembly are
> painstaking and
> meticulous. One false move and you snap an important piece of plastic.
> The
> parts are MUCH more fragile than desktop parts.
>
> A laptop is different because each model is custom designed, taking into
> account
> (for better or worse) thermal and power considerations. There IS some
> carryover of parts among models of essentially the same generations,
> because
> these folks are not so dumb to know that you get economies of scale using
> the
> same CD-ROM drive and bezel, the same drive tray and the same memory slot
> cover
> across several models.
>
> The ONLY reason a pro laptop repairman would undertake a transplant of an
> 8200
> board into an 8000 chassis is if he/she could disassemble the two, lay
> them out
> side by side, and see that the 8200 board would fit perfectly inside the
> 8000
> chassis. None of us here can tell you that this is so. Nobody from Dell
> will
> tell you, because it is not in Dell's best interests to tell you. They'd
> rather sell you a new laptop.
>
> We are only trying to save you from your own worst impulses... Ben Myers
>
> On Sun, 10 Dec 2006 20:52:49 +0100, linuxnewbie1234
> <> wrote:
>
>> wrote:
>>> linuxnewbie1234 wrote:
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> If it ain't broke...
>>>> If it ain't broke WHAT??
>>>
>>> ... Don't fix it. The project you want to undertake is beyond the
>>> abilities of 95% or more of the professional laptop repairmen.
>>
>>LOL! I don't believe this
>>If they can't replace a mobo what can they do?
>>
>>I have built desktop PCs for myself since ever, and never broke
>>anything. I don't think a laptop is THAT different. I also have replaced
>>the videocard in my 8000.
>>
>>> A handful might attempt it if the inspiron 8000 had a dead motherboard.
>>> But since you are describing this as an UPGRADE, we presume you have a
>>> working unit. The chances of turning a working unit into a nonworking
>>> unit are very high here. That's IF the motherboards are even
>>> compatible.
>>>
>>> If you insist on upgrading the CPU, you can do that. Much cheaper and
>>> easier.
>>
>>I don't think I can put a Pentium-M (8200 CPU) on the mobo of my 8000
>>(PIII)... Or can I? I would be surprised if the connector was the same
>>and the bios even supported the Pentium-M.
>>
>>> Better chance of a good outcome.
>>
>>I'm not sure. Disassembling the CPU from the MOBO needs removing and
>>replacing the heat sink. If you have built desktop PCs you know that
>>installing the heatsink without breaking the CPU core is the most
>>difficult operation of all the assembling. I probably can skip this step
>>if I replace the motherboard alltogether.
>>
>>
>>Now if somebody would answer my original questions...
>>
>>Thanks

Dell and IBM/Lenovo make disassembly of notebook computers relatively easy,
because service manuals for evey model are readily available on line. I've
heard of sacrifices of ones first born to get a service manual for a Sony,
Toshiba, Gateway, or HPaq. A Russian web site is gradually collecting service
manuals for a lot of computer gear for which the manufacturers do not freely
make them available.

For someone inexperienced but with nimble fingers and a set of small
screwdrivers, teardown and reassembly of a Dell notebook can be done without
great difficulty, although it take more time to do so that it would take a
pro... Ben Myers

On Mon, 11 Dec 2006 08:37:21 GMT, "Fixer" <> wrote:

>The Boards will physically fit each others base plastics HOWEVER were you
>may come unstuck is if the 8200 has a firewire port you may need to break
>out a plastic cover BUT be very very careful as the plastics are very
>fragile and you can /probably will break them if you do not know where to
>pull/excert the right amount of pressure.
>
>And finally to the poster that said "I have built desktop PCs for myself
>since ever, and never broke
>anything. I don't think a laptop is THAT different. I also have replaced the
>videocard in my 8000." laptops are that differnt compare say a Dell Lat D600
>and a sony Vaio strip them apart and they are totally unlike, except for the
>core componants. i can strip and re assemble a D600 in about 10/15 mins as
>its my job and i'm experienced at it but as for the sony it would take me a
>couple of hours
>
<SNIP>