Hardware Requirements for Dell Inspiron 5160 laptop

[bryant]

I'm about ready to install Hoster 3.3 in my laptop, but want to be sure I have all
the right hardware to make it work properly. I have a Dell Inspiron 5160 Laptop, 2.8gZ pentium 4 processor, Windows xp professional, 512 mB Ram, GeForce fx5200 video card w/32mB memory and AGP4x with Directx 9.0 support. A 30 gB hard drive, and a dvd/ cdwriter installed. I am willing to purchase all the necessary equipment that is installable in my laptop. Then compare this to the price of a Ruggedized laptop from MTU. What are my options(requirements)?
Bryant

[gduns - with the Lord]

I would recommend at least a 60 gig hard drive, and 1 gig of ram. However I don't think you can beat the price of the deal that mtu has on their laptop. Comparing apples to apples..........I dont think the MTU laptop and the Dell Laptop are comparable. From What I have seen the MTU laptop is almost an Industrial grade quality. I lived in Austin Texas for a while, and the Computer Repair shops there were not very complementary towards Dell as a company. The reason I mention this is Austin is where the Dell is homebased from. I am not Biased either way, this is just hearsay.

[bryant]

I see. However, what I was referring to was the fact that I already have a laptop and am really curious if I can simply add the software, an external plextor(what do I really need and for what price?), an internal HD(you say 60gB, but how much and will my 5160 take it?), and is my graphics card compatible(?), and if not will my Dell 5160 take another and at what cost? I do see that the Ruggedized MTU laptop carries a 512mB RAM as my Dell does.
If I can put all these components in as others have done to their laptops, I will go ahead with that, but I do need some very specific advice from experienced laptop users, however.
Bryant

[gduns - with the Lord]

a 60 gig hard drive will fit in the dell 5160. They are fairly easy to install. I only recommend the 1 gig ram Because it will be more forgiving with the 32 meg video card. The latest version of hoster may well work with the built in cd drive for reading in cdg's as they have improved the Interface.

I would suggest put the trial version of hoster on the machine and seeif it works right. You may not have to add anything. My suggestions were what I would do If I were going to use it for a karaoke show.

[bryant]

If I install a 100 gb HD, purchase a USB plexwriter, and what about my graphics card(is it good enough and is it a dual display?). And if not, can my Dell upgrade to video card that is; and about how much of a cost?
Thanx, so far, really!
Bryant

[lmcmains]

The bad thing about a laptop is you can't upgrade the video card. It is built into the motherboard. To find out what you have. Go to the control panel, click on system then click on hardware. Click on device manager, click on the + sign beside display adapter and it should tell you what type of video card you have.

[bryant]

Thanx for the advice. I'm not sure yet, but it may have been due to the fact that the Dell laptops have their own 7-pin s-video ports and the standard 4-pins caused a lack of color transfer. Anybody here familiar with Dell s-video?

[lmcmains]

Most Dell laptops come with the plug. I had a Dell 4000 and it came with the adapter to go to RCA plug. I didn't have any proplems with the color. The only proplem I had was not being able to be in the extended mode. Mine didn't have a duell display. Mine only worked in the clone mode. Mine was an older Dell.