Removing laptop screen

[stephenp1983]

I've run into a problem with my bartop project, as my decased computer just won't fit correctly in the mameroom kit I have.  So I've decided to use a spare laptop I have laying around.  I would still be using a crt for the monitor, I would just have the laptop in the bottom since it fits.

The problem I'm facing is how to power it on, so I thought about removing the lcd screen, so I could easily just reach it and press the power button.

Will the laptop still function properly with an the attached crt monitor, after I remove the lcd?

Also does anyone have any other recommendations besides removing the lcd?

[chadandjody]

I can tell you from experience that a Compaq 600 laptop will work without the LCD screen attached.  The issue you may run in to is if the laptop is "smart" enough to know when a VGA monitor is attached.  Otherwise you have to use the hotkeys (usually a combination of function key and a number key) to have the laptop send the video signal out via VGA port.

[Hoopz]

You may want to check out this thread.  Smokes used a laptop in a project.  Maybe it can help you.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=59624.msg596119#msg596119

[leapinlew]

I've run into a problem with my bartop project, as my decased computer just won't fit correctly in the mameroom kit I have.  So I've decided to use a spare laptop I have laying around.  I would still be using a crt for the monitor, I would just have the laptop in the bottom since it fits.

The problem I'm facing is how to power it on, so I thought about removing the lcd screen, so I could easily just reach it and press the power button.

Will the laptop still function properly with an the attached crt monitor, after I remove the lcd?

Also does anyone have any other recommendations besides removing the lcd?

I just used a laptop. Some things you'll want to check -

• Make sure the laptop still fits with the power plug, monitor plug, and speaker jack plugged in.
• Figure out how you will power the laptop on - I had to solder a couple wires to the power button

Mine worked with no problems after removing the LCD. YMMV.

[severdhed]

i'd say if you are willing to go to the extent of removing the lcd, why not just solder some wires to where the power switch attaches and use a standard arcade button to power it on and off.

[Thenasty]

If using pure DOS for setup, in BIOS there is an option (some) that when power is cutt off, and when power comes back, it turns the machine on. Also, in BIOS you can setup the screen to be external video.

Best bet like some mentioned, is just to tap into the power button with 2 wires.

[Malenko]

I was gonna reply to check the BIOS to see if you can default the video to CRT only but other beat me to it. Sodlering the power wires is a cake walk as well. besta luck!

[torez]

If you want to use this daily, there is setting in bios that will turn on the laptop at a specified time.  Might be useful

[stephenp1983]

I looked for a setting like that, or to power on after power failure etc, but it doesn't seem to be in this bios.

I may just end up using the lcd of the laptop if I can figure a good way to turn it around and mount it.

[Thenasty]

I looked for a setting like that, or to power on after power failure etc, but it doesn't seem to be in this bios.

I may just end up using the lcd of the laptop if I can figure a good way to turn it around and mount it.

don't need to turn it. Let the FE and MAME turn the images for you.

[BobA]

I think he means from back to front.   Hard to physically do with a FE   

[stephenp1983]

Yeah I'm taking about physically turning it around.  Any ideas on how to mount that?