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These instructions will detail the steps necessary to prepare the SOFTWARE elements of a homemade Digital Picture Frame. I hope to post instructions on the physical modifications later.
Digital Picture Frame on a Dell Inspiron 5100
key features:
web-enabled - images provided via rss feed
diskless (boots and runs from a 2gb usb drive)
Digital Picture Frame on a Dell Inspiron 5100
key features:
web-enabled - images provided via rss feed
diskless (boots and runs from a 2gb usb drive)
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Signing UpStep 1Background
I pulled this laptop off of a pile headed for recycling. I might not have grabbed it, but I have an identical one already, so I knew I could swap parts to see what worked and what didn't. It was stripped down to the bare minimum: screen and motherboard, with trackpad.
After adding RAM an optical drive and a keyboard, I was able to boot into the BIOS. This laptop supports usb booting, but not with the original BIOS. Step one was to visit Dell's site for the BIOS update, then install it on the laptop. Also, I found a great usb keyboard with 2 built-in ports at a local computer salvage. This allows me to not have to trade keyboards from laptop to laptop. Only new-ish laptops will support this. Through Craigslist, I quickly found a stick of acceptable RAM (512mb), then I didn't have to swap that back and forth either. The last element I installed was an 802.11b mini-pci card for wireless access (it was free, from another salvage).
Having a working laptop on hand I set out to create the digital picture frame. I have done hard drive installations using Puppy Linux on older laptops, but I specifically wanted to use the more modern features built in to this laptop. I use Xubuntu as my main OS most of the time (personal preference) and since 'Buntu 8.10, persistant USB installs are made very simple with the USB-creator package.
materials needed (in addition to the laptop):
2gb or so flash drive (mine is a PNY somethingorother, $15 bucks a few years back...)
Xubuntu 8.10 live cd
After adding RAM an optical drive and a keyboard, I was able to boot into the BIOS. This laptop supports usb booting, but not with the original BIOS. Step one was to visit Dell's site for the BIOS update, then install it on the laptop. Also, I found a great usb keyboard with 2 built-in ports at a local computer salvage. This allows me to not have to trade keyboards from laptop to laptop. Only new-ish laptops will support this. Through Craigslist, I quickly found a stick of acceptable RAM (512mb), then I didn't have to swap that back and forth either. The last element I installed was an 802.11b mini-pci card for wireless access (it was free, from another salvage).
Having a working laptop on hand I set out to create the digital picture frame. I have done hard drive installations using Puppy Linux on older laptops, but I specifically wanted to use the more modern features built in to this laptop. I use Xubuntu as my main OS most of the time (personal preference) and since 'Buntu 8.10, persistant USB installs are made very simple with the USB-creator package.
materials needed (in addition to the laptop):
2gb or so flash drive (mine is a PNY somethingorother, $15 bucks a few years back...)
Xubuntu 8.10 live cd
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Mar 25, 2010. 7:20 PMdarkclaw42
says:
Cool idea. I may try this, considering I have 6 of these same exact Laptops! If I do though I might switch the screen around and have it so that you can close it, with the screen facing out.
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Jan 3, 2009. 2:04 PMetlerd
says:
looking forward to the hardware mods, as this looks like my lappie.
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