Digital Picture Frame

Step 3 Parts needed.

From Laptop
- Motherboard +CPU
- RAM
- Hard Drive (Pre-installed OS that can load without password)
- Laptop AC Adapter
- LCD + all related parts (power converter and backlight plug)

Other
- Touchscreen (same size as your LCD); easy to find on ebay.
- PCMCIA Wifi card if its not integrated in your laptop.
- IDE to CF adapter; no need for this if your using the original hard drive.
- Plexiglas 2 pieces(add 2 inches to the height and width of the screen so that you end up with a 1 inch border around the computer); you can get this pre-cut at your hardware store or use a jigsaw to cut it.
- Mounting Screws; some of the screws can be salvaged from the laptop and used for fastening the motherboard to the Plexiglas, if you need more they can be found at most computer stores (future shot, best buy, circuit city)
- 4 mains screws+more that will hold everything together. Again this is something that you will need to determine based on the laptop your using.. Mine were 3 inches long. (see picture)
- Various other items (two sided tape, foam tape, usb extension, wall mounting cable) ALL OPTIONAL and can be changed with whatever you have lying around that you think will do the same job.

Comments

[jbird123]

Just wondering where you got these 'extention' screws and stuff from stage 3 image 3? Other than that im ready to go!

[micahdear]

Hi there

I got them all from my local hardware store.

Micah

[alexanderbly]

I just got a copy of windows XP pro, though I haven't had a chance to run it yet. Does it have different install options? How can I install it to take up the least amount of space? Thanks.

[blurofred]

try linux, there are several verstions that are really small.

http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/
or
http://www.delilinux.de/

[ReCreate]

Windows XP May Be A little Heavy For Old PC's. Windows XP Requires at least 1.3GB of disk space to be happy,You Could Try Windows 95,Visit win3x.org They have it there,Windows 95 Will Be happy with anything larger than 150BM,And IT can Run With as little as 4MB or RAM.

[zim_256]

You could try to install XP Embedded, it's more lightweight than xp pro.

[ReCreate]

Windows XP Embedded comes only in preinstalled packages for emulators, Like virtual PC. I would recommend MicroXP, Or tinyXP

[zim_256]

XP Embedded is a commercial, modular version of windows XP. It comes in 2 setup cd's + 1 update. It can be installed on any x86 system. Even the ones with little storage or RAM. You can get a reduced installation in about 200 MB.

[ReCreate]

Really? Anyways, MicroXP is 200MB

[zim_256]

I googled microxp and it looks fine, just a 100MB cd and it uses very little memory, it's already slipstreamed and available on a 99MB CD so it's a drop-in solution, easier than building a runtime image for XPEmbedded. BUT, it's a modified version with uncertain source so i don't really know what i'm installing and using with microXP, ¿what about malware?. With XPE i can select what to install and is a official release, plus, it has advanced features oriented to slimline pc's like little footprint, hibernate once, resume many, integrated "deep freeze" like feature from ms, the possibility to run from ROM saving only changes to other drive (it can be a optical CD drive for example), etc. Microxp is illegal donwloadable software, but considering the licensing fee for XPE, i'ts out of the target of this instructable (The license cost is higher than the best quality digital photo frame.). Anyway, i'm downloading it to test it in my netbook, the 4 gig ssd is a little tiny for a full XP. Right now i'm using XP Performance Edition and i thought that there wasn't any better o slimmer.

[ReCreate]

Yeah, Some people consider it legal being stripped down so much that it lacks so many features, such as eyecandy themes, Multiple users and such. Windows has been modded in many ways Original XP>TinyXP>MicroXP MicroXP has so far ran every program i have ever wanted it to, it installed in like 5 Minutes.

[opanocat5]

Get Ubuntu! Its smaller and better for small gadgets like this ubuntu.com

[micahdear]

a typical ubuntu installation is much larger then the performance xp build (200mb). Please on older machines like this, sure you can install linux, and then you either have to be a linux guru to resolve the numberous problems you will have, or you can spend weeks reading forums that tell you 20 ways to resolve one problem (that usually doesn't work) or you can take 30 minutes out of your day and install XP... It all depends on if you like living your life or prefer being in solitude in front of your ancient computer that you just want to act as a picture frame... Sorry to vent, but I've been working with Linux for years and I'm just so tired of the time I've wasted trying to resolve the simplest of problems that are not even problems with XP... and yes I know there are a bunch of Linux guru's or even amateurs that are going to hate me for this comment, but if your honest you know I'm right!!!

[ReCreate]

Yeah,I have Had So Many Problems with Linux,I tried So Many Distros On my PC. Ubuntu - Applacations randomly Exit Slax 5XX-6.10 Konqueror Becomes unstable DSL Linux,NOthing Works. Puppy Linux,This One worked the best,On an other PC. Reactos Is probably the Only Free OS that works the Best,Its not Linux Based though. And Windows,IT works like a Charm,The Only Problems i have On them are Problems i know How to Fix,And that arent too bad. And Windows 7,It Beats Ubuntu Big time.

[opanocat5]

Ah, i get you on the size factor but i have never ever had a single problem with ubuntu

[micahdear]

I'm envious.. I've never met anyone that has never had a problem with Ubuntu.. I'm assuming that means your a Linux guru.. As a problem to a typical PC user is everyday life to a Linux user and yes even with a build as as seemingly strait forward as Ubuntu.. I have found that the moment you move away from a "amateur computer use" installation, problems follow.. What I mean is if you have a very typical hardware build (Intel processor, Asus Mobo, Nvidia gpu) and you only want to use your computer for word processing and checking your email, then yes, in most cases, its as simple as installing Ubuntu or many other debian builds and your good to go. Personally I've never used Linux for anything typical.. I wanted to setup a FTA Media center using an EPIA mobo (30 days of major issues), tried using one of the machines in this Instructable for a web based weather station, (30 days of problems)... Granted I don't consider myself an expert but I'm not a novice either.. It just shouldn't be that complicated! Again, sorry for the ranting :) I respect the "open-source" aspect the most and I will be the first to jump onboard when any Linux build is even close to as user friendly as Windows.. and YES I do get a chill down by back saying something nice about Microsoft... :)

[micahdear]

Legally I have no idea..... However I have heard that some people download these different windows builds from torrent sites and then change the CD key within to a legal one that was already purchased by the user. There may be actual software out there that can do this as well but I'm not aware of any. Micah

[areffera]

i have problem to download pdf files digitall picture frame

[micahdear]

Hi there

Unfortunately I'm not the one that provides the PDF. Its provided by Instructables.

You will need to contact them for support.

Thanks

M

[areffera]

I NEED

Map electronic circuit digital photo frame PLEASE

[micahdear]

I'm sorry, I don't understand your question. Can you rephrase?

M

[vinnnie]

if i select an embedded system instead an CivilNote laptop?because i want a not-shutdown photo frame? I want to build an digital photo frame but i heard that programming a PIC is much better I dont know, Can you give me a recommendation? Thanks

[chilll2009]

PIC is kind-of boring to program. I'd do a digital picture frame with movies too.

[micahdear]

Sorry I'm not sure what you mean by a PIC or a "non-shutdown" photo frame. Can you give me more detail?

[vinnnie]

Yes, I want to build a digital photo frame but a dont like to use a Motherboard +CPU, but i want to use an embedded system (purchased) like an cpu, with this system i will to program extra instructions for management the photos, and i want that my digital photo frame always be on (never goes out). Cheers

[micahdear]

Hmm interesting.. Some corrections however, when you say an "embedded system" this also mean CPU and motherboard, its just that the CPU is usually incorporated into the motherboard. So depending on the system you purchase, embedded or not you will still be setting it up in a similar fashion. Another point to note is that embedded systems usually cost a fair amount more than an old laptop. Cost is key here. Lastly, my photo frame which you see above, never shuts off.. EVER.. always on!!! Have fun. Micah

[alexanderbly]

ah, I see. Doesn't XP take up most of the space on that 5 gb drive? That doesn't really leave much space for other files & media. Have you added a larger drive or something since?

[micahdear]

Depends on which XP install you use ;) There are some builds out there that use less then 500mb.. Your right for a typical computer that doesn't leave a lot of space of other apps, however this is not a typical computer. Personally I am using it as a web machine, the screensaver and all other apps used are online and not installed locally. hope this helps. Micah

[alexanderbly]

Is the CF drive you used any different from a CF card? I have a high capacity CF card that I normally use for cameras that I would like to use for this project. thanks.

[micahdear]

Its different in that the CF card I used is a micro HDD meaning its that same technology as a typical hard drive found in any computer. The problem with normal flash memory (CF SD MS) is that it has a limited number of read/writes available before it dies. Using it in a camera is great because it will never attain this number, but using it a computer has the main storage source is really bad as a computer running windows especially constantly accesses the hard drive. I hope this helps. Micah

[kdcsatx]

for the touchscreen, what ecactly is is that you used?....was it like a film that cover the screen? waht was the brand you used

[micahdear]

Hi there I just bought one randomly off of ebay and if didn't have a brand name on it.. Sorry. Its not a film though, its an actually piece of transparent glass that and does not reduce the light from the screen at all.. Here are more available on ebay by searching "touch screen 10.4". I hope this helps. Cheers