Compaq Presario CQ61-429US Motherboard

[WolfLeader116]

Hello, I have a Compaq Presario CQ61-429US which is perfectly fine and runs very well surprisingly and the case has an HDMI slot, however the motherboard has no HDMI port as if it was just cut out. Is there any way that I can buy a mostly identical motherboard that has an HDMI port on it? It would be much cheaper than buying a new laptop with HDMI so I would rather just switch out the motherboard. I have seen some with HDMI, but I am not sure if they would fit properly. There is a vent, VGA, Internet, HDMI, USB and a SD Card Reader on the left side of the laptop looking from the top. I would like to make use of that space where the HDMI slot is, and I am getting an HD monitor so it would be nice to take advantage of the HD. Thanks!

 

[delaro]

Can you replace the motherboard, yes but it will run you around $150 or more the CPU/GPU in that unit is weak to be streaming 1080p, it would be choppy you might get away with 720P. Also replacing the motherboard to a version with HDMI would have a different CPU/GPU as well as a different power brick.

USB to HDMI Adapter $11.99 will allow you to output 1080p or 720p
http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Plated-DisplayPort-Adapter/dp/B005H3I38Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422290805&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+to+hdmi+converter+cable

Chrome Cast + Google Chrome with Chrome cast app + XMBC $29-$39

This allows you to stream anything to the TV albiet @720 highbitrate and with the XMBC remote software on a Smartphone or tablet you can control the XMBC on the Laptop or PC from another room.

1080P Miracast dongles and set top boxes $15-$300
Haven't messed with them but heard they will work as well.

 

[WolfLeader116]

Can you replace the motherboard, yes but it will run you around $150 or more the CPU/GPU in that unit is weak to be streaming 1080p, it would be choppy you might get away with 720P. Also replacing the motherboard to a version with HDMI would have a different CPU/GPU as well as a different power brick.

USB to HDMI Adapter $11.99 will allow you to output 1080p or 720p
http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Plated-DisplayPort-Adapter/dp/B005H3I38Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422290805&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+to+hdmi+converter+cable

Chrome Cast + Google Chrome with Chrome cast app + XMBC $29-$39

This allows you to stream anything to the TV albiet @720 highbitrate and with the XMBC remote software on a Smartphone or tablet you can control the XMBC on the Laptop or PC from another room.

1080P Miracast dongles and set top boxes $15-$300
Haven't messed with them but heard they will work as well.

Ok thanks for this info. And AMD S1 socket and 25w is what the current processor uses, but these motherboards can handle 35w processors too without a problem. As you can see here http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c02008939 the graphics are pretty bad anyways... ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4200 Graphics but they're still HD, so the built in monitor has the full color range that comes with HD while the connected monitor does not which is annoying as Windows 8/10 seems to use a lot of colors that are not supported on VGA (or maybe my current monitor is just that old...) I am fine with getting another motherboard but if I can't I'll just stick with a USB to HDMI adapter. (I had no idea those existed.) Do you think that would work to get an HDMI port with the same AMD S1 socket for the CPU? Thanks!

 

[delaro]

The adapter should work, if not you will need the PN# of the board itself which you can only get by taking it apart. Once you have that search Ebay for the PN# and ask the supplier for other compatible units. There are way to many updates and versions of CQ61 boards out and only a handful will fit in your chassis. For the cost as well you can find a used laptop that would give you HDMI and probably be a little faster all you would have to do is swap the hard drive as most of them don't include that.

 

[WolfLeader116]

The adapter should work, if not you will need the PN# of the board itself which you can only get by taking it apart. Once you have that search Ebay for the PN# and ask the supplier for other compatible units. There are way to many updates and versions of CQ61 boards out and only a handful will fit in your chassis. For the cost as well you can find a used laptop that would give you HDMI and probably be a little faster all you would have to do is swap the hard drive as most of them don't include that.

Ok thanks for your help! I'll try checking the motherboard soon and see if I can find another one with HDMI. I have a new 1TB HDD to replace the old 160GB one in here and the laptop was made very well to get into the hard drive. The motherboard was more of a problem when I replaced the broken fan, but I like this laptop. It has a very nice case and screen that are better than most I've seen (although heavy, but idc about weight and size) so I'd rather not get a new one when this one could last me many more years just with a few upgrades. Plus, laptops aren't so customizable anymore so I would like to keep my nice customizable laptop. Thanks for helping me with this!