Ping: S4L et al

[ohernie]

Don't have the bread for it right now but I'm wondering ...

What do you think of the idea of getting a laptop with a broken screen ($$$ savings) from Ebay and dropping it into a 1U rack along with the power supply, external drive, and whatever automatic power-on/off circuitry is needed?

I'm thinking ASIO4ALL + Forte' + VST softsynths = 1U sound module

If it was 12.5" LCD size there you could probably fit two and still be smaller than the typical server.

Ernie

[elcabong]

If the screen is broke, then does the seller really know if it works? How did it break? What else is broken?

[ohernie]

Most laptops have an external video port that will continue to function if the screen is broken. Reasons for breakage are various - I've read explanations from the dog jumped in the person's lap when the laptop was there to being "sat on" to just getting knocked off the table.

Ernie

[scope4live]

Buy a used 1U for peanuts on ebay.
Then buy 2 x ITX motherbaords from Supermicro for a dual PC in a 1U. They are 6.7" x 6.7" generally.
I use a 1U QWERTY w/ a 4 Port KVM switcher to run 2 x 4U DAW's.
I was shocked at my buddy's DIY 1U that does the same amount of VST work w/ a 2 port KVM 1U QWERTY.
He runs Kontackt on both of them and it has twice the power of the new SM PRO AUDIO V RACK, which is a great way to avoid the 64bit farce.

[ohernie]

Thanks!

Ernie

[buckshead]

Not sure I'd want to try getting all that wired up without blowing it all up. Thats not for the faint hearted. I've made 5 PC now but sorting out the bits separately WOW

[scope4live]

We have a builder who has all of the tools necessary to make ITX, mATX and eATX fit any chassis.
Same thing with my truck, when I want the oil changed, I take it to a pro.
Besides it's nice to have somebody to blame other than myself. ;)

[ohernie]

In my previous life I wirewrapped up a 6809 (Motorola) based drum machine. That's pin to pin on the chips themselves, no motherboards involved. It was roughly the same power as a Radio Shack Coco but with midi and an LCD display instead of video. Embedded computers is what I used to do for a living. I assemble and maintain all my computers and unless there are warranty issues I repair all my electronics. I'd still have to read up some more on ITX motherboards to understand all the parameters but I think I can handle putting one in a box. :p

Ernie