Comments on: Digital Picture Frame from an Old Laptop

by: Andy Veit

Sat, 18 Mar 2006 23:19:04 +0000

My mom was given a store-bought version similar to what you’re describing, but it was a much smaller desk-top “photo frame” (and in this case by desk-top I mean something on top of her desk).

The cool thing about hers is that we can send her photos over the web and they’d show up on her desk amongst the regular photos that it cycles through. I guess you could do something similar to that, if you were so inclined, by setting it to cycle through a directory on your main computer to which people could upload photos from the web. Dunno if it’s possible to give people access to a folder in your computer via the web, or if that’s a smart idea, but it’s an idea.

by: Nancy

Sat, 18 Mar 2006 23:28:41 +0000

Very Interesting! What a great idea! How clever you are!
Have fun with it!

by: Kevin

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 13:21:22 +0000

Hey, looks great. Can’t wait to see the framed version.

Where do I send the pictures of me?

by: Chris

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 13:25:08 +0000

I can’t wait to steal that from you.

by: Cole

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:38:12 +0000

yo wanna hook me up with one of them for my dorm?

by: derrick

Sat, 03 Jun 2006 23:58:10 +0000

hey i like what you done. r u interestedin selling or building me one. if so email me back. thanks

by: Darren

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 20:40:49 +0000

Hi there,

I’m interested in what software you are using. I’ve got the same laptop. What image viewer software are you using? Ultimately I’d like to have the same setup as yours in that you use wireless to upload/update the photos.
I’ve seen different versions with and without the keyboard. Do you have your keyboard still connected or not?

Thanks for your help,

Darren.

by: Scott

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 23:05:40 +0000

I am using the Picture Slideshow Screensaver that comes with Windows XP. In my startup folder is a shortcut which starts the current screensaver.

My keyboard is still connected. It really doesn’t save too much room to remove it and it’s handy to have, especially with the red tip mouse pointer in the middle.

Any other questions?

by: James

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 22:38:23 +0000

I too have a Thinkpad 600 that I’ve been trying to put to good use and I’m about to start the same project however I want to take care of all of the software stuff before I start tearing the laptop down. What I’m wondering is this, how well does XP run on this laptop? I’m running windows 2000 on it right now but if I want to use the slickr screensaver to view my flickr gallery over my wifi I have to install xp. How much ram does yours have and what is your HD size? Also, how is it for the fades between shots is it really slow? One last question, how is it for heat dissipation? I wouldn’t want my wall catching fire if I left it unattended.

Thanks

by: Scott

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 23:21:37 +0000

Windows XP runs great on the IBM Thinkpad 600. It has 512 MB RAM, and a 20GB hard drive. The fades are fine, but I would recommend a quick transition to look more like a picture frame. The laptop protrudes out the back of my frame about 1/2 inch with the frame being 1 inch away from the wall. The heat doesn’t seem to be a problem.

I wasn’t able to figure it out but if you’re able to suspend your laptop and then wake it up at preset times then you’ll never have to touch it. To suspend yours, create a .bat file with the following command:

%windir%\System32\rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState

Practice this before you take it apart. You might need to update your BIOS and you need a battery connected in order to update.