Laptop to Picture Frame Done!

**will1384** · 03-20-2006, 05:45 AM

Originally Posted by sfay93

This was more of a test fit than permanent. I want to remake the matte or have Hobby Lobby make a custom one for me. The processor is under the silver square on the right side of the motherboard in the botom pic. I haven't measured temps but as I said, it has ran for well over 24 hours straight with no issues yet. I do plan on venting the panel that goes on the back and possibly putting a small fan as well. It's kinda lke my carputer, I never know what will end up in the final version.

that metal plate is not the heat sink - its the interface to the heat
sink, or metal plate / heat spreader under the keydoard - your
running it naked, that why I was worried -

I would try to add a heat sink if you can

at any rate good luck

**97GST** · 03-20-2006, 01:22 PM

My laptop mainboard's heatsink is small enough that it should fit a good sized frame good enough, I can't wait to do this!

**tbird2340** · 03-20-2006, 02:32 PM

I did the same thing a couple years ago.. I installed a wireless card in to copy pictures / vnc / etc.. I really don't use it all anymore because of the glare. If your not looking straight at it it kinda looks like crap.

**xdjxklusivex** · 03-20-2006, 11:36 PM

lol wow not to be rude but some people have no life.... good idea tho :-) id just think its a waste of a laptop esp if it wasnt old and slow

**greenman100** · 03-21-2006, 02:05 AM

Originally Posted by xdjxklusivex

lol wow not to be rude but some people have no life.... good idea tho :-) id just think its a waste of a laptop esp if it wasnt old and slow

except it is old and slow.

much teh same way you have a fondness for your bike, some people have a fondness for memories, and a LCD picture frame is a great way to display those memories

**sfay93** · 03-21-2006, 02:58 AM

The laptop I used is perfect for the project for a couple of different reasons. It is old and slow, it was given to me for FREE, and the hinges were cracked so badly that the thing was falling apart anyway. And as far as time is concerned, I have maybe 2 hours invested so far.

**desiz** · 03-21-2006, 11:48 AM

wow pretty cool... sounds like something to do over the weekend... off to ebay to find a cheapo laptop

**TheLlama** · 03-21-2006, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by sfay93

Good job! I have just started playing around with the same project. I used an old 233mhz IBM laptop I had laying around collecting dust. It is running Damn Small Linux and using xzgv for the picture viewer. Also wireless internet, keyboard, and mouse. The picture files are on a USB flash drive so they are easy to update. One thing I did a little different than your's was I went to Hobby Lobby and got the deepest shadow box picture frame they had to use for my frame. It's a 16 5/8" x 12 3/4" frame measuring outside to outside. It's nice because everything is enclosed aside from the power cable but since I plan on setting mine on my desk, it's not a problem. Have had no problems with it getting hot even after many hours of leaving it on. Some pics:

Nice, I wish my picture frames ran fluxbox, lol.

**migel628** · 03-21-2006, 01:07 PM

I am so going to be a follower on this, b/c you guys made yours so nice, it gives me renewed hope of actually being able to do it. Thanks

**fromplanetbob** · 03-21-2006, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by xdjxklusivex

lol wow not to be rude but some people have no life.... good idea tho :-) id just think its a waste of a laptop esp if it wasnt old and slow

No Life? Nah. I enjoy making stuff and now that I'm married, I don't have to spend hours and hours looking around for potential mates (or one night stands.)

I used an old PII laptop, got another PIII and PI sitting here waiting for me to find a frame to put them in.