Attempting to combine two similar laptops into one working one.

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by starfleetkirk, Jul 31, 2011.

  1. starfleetkirk

    starfleetkirk MDL Novice

    Jul 31, 2011
    1
    0
    0
    #1 starfleetkirk, Jul 31, 2011
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2011
    Hi, I am a freelance computer technician and I am looking for some insight and/or info to
    my issue below.

    I have a Compaq Presario CQ60 and a HP Pavilion G60. Both laptops are virtually identical
    and both have the same specs. The only difference is the Brand Logos. My problems;

    Compaq Presario CQ60 - Damaged top cover and LCD screen, missing keyboard keys and
    a dead in the water SATA hard drive. Mainboard still works as well as the entire base but
    the Vista Home Premium COA is unreadable.

    HP Pavilion G60 - Everything works except the mainboard. Mainboard is certified toast.
    Good LCD, keyboard, Hard Drive with Vista Recovery partition intact, Top & Bottom
    Chassis and a readable Home Premium COA.

    I am planning to merge the two systems into one either

    Tossing the working Compaq Presario CQ60 mainboard into the dead HP Pavilion G60
    so that I don't need to mess with moving the COA.

    or

    Transferring the Top Assembly, keyboard, hard drive and COA from the Pavilion G60
    to the Compaq Presario CQ60

    But the main issue is the Vista Recovery Partition. I was reading some forums and
    discovered that HP & Compaq's Vista recovery partition runs off the chassis serial number
    or mainboard serial number to work. I need some clarification on this matter.

    Is there anyway I can edit the recovery partition to accept the CQ60's mainboard or is
    there a way I can edit the CQ60 serial numbers to the G60 serial numbers and eventually
    restore Vista Home Premium to factory-shipped standards?

    Both Laptops ARE NOT STOLEN. I am just trying to make one good working laptop with
    what I have available to me without spending anything but my time and effort.
     
  2. mobsta

    mobsta MDL Novice

    Feb 21, 2010
    41
    10
    0
    I see your dilemma, replacing the screen is the easiest way out but just have to be really careful not to brake the plastic surround. They are so flimsy. Replacing the MB is a major operation, but could be less of a hassle since covers are more robust and don't break as easily. I guess you can start taking the HP apart to sort of practice and gauge the difficulty level, mark everything as you go so you don't end up with extra screws ( which is a common occurrence ). That's that bit, as far as the OS goes I'd Modify the BIOS for the so the OS will be activated if you run recovery. And as far as the COA label, as long as both laptops are running same version of OS I don't see any problems. If it worries you then just take it of HP and stick it back on the other one, get some double-sided tape to make it stick. Hope it helped.:)
     
  3. thethingy

    thethingy MDL Senior Member

    Sep 7, 2010
    301
    41
    10
    I wouldn't even bother with the recovery partition, but you should post the bios in the bios mods section to get the splash screen + make, model, serial changed to the one on the sticker of the main case.