I always wanted some kind of dgital photo display in the family but they are very expensive and does not have wireless capability. I have an old laptop that has been laying around but could only run Windows 98. It is perfect for this project.
This is my requirement:
- Old laptop
- Painting frame. I recommend the RIBBA picture frame from Ikea because it is thick in size
- Boot into Windows
- Connect to the network via WIFI
- Access network share on remote server where pictures are stored
- Launch screen saver to display rotating pictures
Ribba picture frame. There are different sizes so pick one best fit your laptop LCD.
Confgure the laptop and make sure that everything works and behave the way you want it to after you hung it on your wall.
I run Windows 98 on this old laptop. To login to Windows with the network domain account, I use TweakUI from Microsoft to do the job.
To initiate the screensaver automatically after windows boot, I use Macro Express program to execute it. I also installed RealVNC remote control just in case I need to make minor changes remotely.
Looks like everything is working the way I want it to. Now time to strip the laptop of its casing. I got rid of everything that I don't need like the battery, floppy and CD-Rom drives, modem and speaker. The only crucial components are the main boards, LCD, HDD, PCMCIA card tray.
Now cut out the hole in the board that came with the Ribba picture frame for the LCD. I centered the LCD on the board and outlined it with a pencil. Then I use the dremel tool to cut the hole. Do not cut the hole too big. You want the LCD to fit snuggly.
Before I move on, I want to test it out. It still works. As you can see, it is coming together nicely.
I picked up a piece of poster board from Michael's, the local craft store, to make the border. Cut out the display opening.
The laptop guts are very light so I resorted to using duct tape to mount the whole thing behind the picture frame.
And here is the completed DIY wall mount photo display. The wire you see here is the power cable but at least it is wireless and I could update the pictures easily on the remote server. Cost? An old laptop, $10.00 for the picture frame and poster board and a weekend.
