Digital Frame from Old Laptop

I took a functioning, but no longer practical, laptop. My goal was to make a digital picture frame out of it. Similar to these expensive models.

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:50:37 -0700

LucidMusic
I took a functioning, but no longer practical, laptop. My goal was to make a digital picture frame out of it. Similar to these expensive models.

Since it will hang on a wall, I want to make it as light as possible. But it still has to work. I take out the battery (typically heavy), and need to make sure it will run without it.

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:54:39 -0700

LucidMusic
Since it will hang on a wall, I want to make it as light as possible. But it still has to work. I take out the battery (typically heavy), and need to make sure it will run without it.

And it does. Now I'll repeat that with all the internal pieces not needed for the picture frame function (keyboard, floppy drive, pcmcia slots, modem, etc.).

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 21:07:57 -0700

LucidMusic
And it does. Now I'll repeat that with all the internal pieces not needed for the picture frame function (keyboard, floppy drive, pcmcia slots, modem, etc.).

I also double-checked that the slideshow program was set to automatically start. I planned to run it off of the CD ROM drive, and also checked to see if I could switch CDs without having to ...

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 21:01:52 -0700

LucidMusic
I also double-checked that the slideshow program was set to automatically start. I planned to run it off of the CD ROM drive, and also checked to see if I could switch CDs without having to ...

Reference manuals are usually available for download from the manufacturer site. I printed out just the sections I needed.

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 21:04:11 -0700

LucidMusic
Reference manuals are usually available for download from the manufacturer site. I printed out just the sections I needed.

The manual makes it easy to keep track of removed pieces, Without manuals, I'd recommend numbering and labelling each part (for easier reassembly, if needed).

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 21:00:56 -0700

LucidMusic
The manual makes it easy to keep track of removed pieces, Without manuals, I'd recommend numbering and labelling each part (for easier reassembly, if needed).

Robert Pirsig would be proud. (Read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.")

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:58:28 -0700

LucidMusic
Robert Pirsig would be proud. (Read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.")

Progress. Since they are already exposed, cleaning the components with canned air is a good idea.

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:51:58 -0700

LucidMusic
Progress. Since they are already exposed, cleaning the components with canned air is a good idea.

With most identified parts removed, I check to make sure it still works. I learned from earlier tests that this model will not operate without the keyboard.

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 21:09:36 -0700

LucidMusic
With most identified parts removed, I check to make sure it still works. I learned from earlier tests that this model will not operate without the keyboard.

Beneath the keyboard there's fewer parts than before. Now I need to modify the casing to allow the screen to fold all the way back around so the rest of the computer can hide behind it.

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 21:03:04 -0700

LucidMusic
Beneath the keyboard there's fewer parts than before. Now I need to modify the casing to allow the screen to fold all the way back around so the rest of the computer can hide behind it.

The video cable doesn't have much slack. To get enough room for it to bend all the way around, I need to cut away some of the plastic framing.

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 21:10:42 -0700

LucidMusic
The video cable doesn't have much slack. To get enough room for it to bend all the way around, I need to cut away some of the plastic framing.

And a chunk from the screen backing buys a little more room for the cable.

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:49:19 -0700

LucidMusic
And a chunk from the screen backing buys a little more room for the cable.

The hinges are also removed, so now the cord has more room...

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:57:17 -0700

LucidMusic
The hinges are also removed, so now the cord has more room...

...to be folded around...

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:56:00 -0700

LucidMusic
...to be folded around...

... all the way back. Now it's ready to take to the local frame shop to dress it up.

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:59:47 -0700

LucidMusic
... all the way back. Now it's ready to take to the local frame shop to dress it up.

Here's the leftovers. The speaker and microphone were also removable, and the screen hinges and frame were pretty weighty.

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:53:20 -0700

LucidMusic
Here's the leftovers. The speaker and microphone were also removable, and the screen hinges and frame were pretty weighty.

A weeek later...back from the frame shop!

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:48:19 -0700

LucidMusic
A weeek later...back from the frame shop!

The back will hang against the wall, but I can still access the keyboard if needed. To change CDs I need to loosen one screw and tilt the base of the laptop up far enough to clear the side o ...

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 21:06:42 -0700

LucidMusic
The back will hang against the wall, but I can still access the keyboard if needed. To change CDs I need to loosen one screw and tilt the base of the laptop up far enough to clear the side o ...

Looks good!

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 21:05:20 -0700

LucidMusic
Looks good!

And it still works.

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 21:08:33 -0700

LucidMusic
And it still works.

Mounted on the wall, all I need to do now is hide the the power cord with some white tape, or run it through the wall. Similar units sell new for $750 or more. The only cost I had was the ...

nobody@smugmug.com (LucidMusic) — Sun, 23 Oct 2005 21:11:09 -0700

LucidMusic
Mounted on the wall, all I need to do now is hide the the power cord with some white tape, or run it through the wall. Similar units sell new for $750 or more. The only cost I had was the ...