Sanity-check this plan for me

[blackbirds]

Okay, I have a dead laptop. As memory serves, it's an HP nx9105, and its only fault is that the motherboard's blown. The battery still works and I assume it's still able to charge the battery, and that's what I want out of the system.

My theory is, I reckon it's possible to charge the battery up to full using the dead laptop, and then take the battery out and leech a 5v feed from it which I can wire up to a USB socket, letting me use the battery as a portable USB charger for my phone or whatever.

It seems a sound plan in my mind, but then, I'm not sure how sound my mind is. What do you guys make of this theory? Should it work? Is there anything I need to consider?

[shaithis]

It all depends on the curcuitry. The battery may not be able to charge without a functioning motherboard.

That's probably not the case but it is a possibility.

Ironically, you could just buy a freeloader