Hardware Requirements for Dell Inspiron 5160 laptop

[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]

INCmains: My original post states that my video card is a nVidea fx5200 32 mB. I just need to know if this is fully compatible with the Hoster program, and if not, how much do I need to spend on a really good one that is guaranteed to do the job.
Bryant
Also, is it true that any USB Plextor writer will be sufficient?

[gduns - with the Lord]

I have used a nVidea fx5200 on one of my machines, and it works fine. as long as you have an s-video out on it you will get the second screen fine.

[bryant]

Can the monitor out of the PC be hooked to one of those scan converters that convert computer screen images to TV images and work just as well? (Some people use these to get their computers to TV screens for presentations. ) On these scan converters they have video-out and s-video/out that can go directly to any modern TV set.