Transcript Creating a Digital Picture Frame

Creating a Digital Picture Frame
John Martin
Summer 2006
EDIT 6000
Overview
• Install Linux and a few other
programs on a laptop
• Take the laptop apart
• Put the frame together
Sounds simple?
• Not really…there are stumbling blocks at every
step, and each step has more steps
• Even when its finished, it only seems “ready”,
not really finished
• If you attempt this, you will learn first hand how
project-based learning really works.
• I built a digital picture frame, but I learned a lot
of other stuff on the way.
• Use google to help yourself troubleshoot any
issues
Overview (the real steps….)
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Gather hardware
Choose OS (Linux distro)
Partition Hard drive
Install Linux
Learn Linux
Install Samba, set up network
Install picture software, write scripts
Dissemble Laptop
Assemble frame
Gather hardware
• Old laptops are cheap and can be used
• eBay/Internet beware – often no HD,
power supply, or cracked screen….parts
machines only
• You want a working machine that can do
Win95 at a minimum
• I got lucky – two free laptops
Choose OS
• Linux is best choice – networking
options, runs well on low resources
• “Damn Small Linux” (DSL) is only
50MB, boots from live CD
• Downloads: ftp.uga.edu
• Tip: burn the *.iso file as an image
to a CD
Partition Hard Drive
• Partitioning will wipe data – be
careful! Prepares file system
• Tip: use Knoppix disk to do this first,
has QT-Parted partition program
• Set HDA2 as Linux-Swap, approx
size = 2 X RAM
• Set HDA1 as / (Ext3)
QT-Parted screen shots
Select partition
Drive select
Change options
Install Linux
• Simple!
• From
DSL live
CD, right
click,
select
“Install to
Hard
Drive
Learn Linux
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Linux is basically Unix
Commands are generally necessary
Sudo (act as root/superuser/admin)
Locate, cd, mkdir, ls, apt-get
Graphical front end helps
Permissions, file system, mounting
Books, Internet resources
http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/linuxcommands.
html
Install Samba
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Samba acts as a file server program
Smb.conf – search for proper set up
Create a shared folder in smb.conf
Connect to Windows machine
(Tools => Map Network Drive in
Windows)
• Transfer image files to share
Install picture software, scripts
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Search the web for help
Red Hat – Linuxtoys book
DSL – copied web site’s scripts
Beware: scripts often flawed, steps missing, or
system doesn’t work right.
• Google is your friend.
• http://www.thewares.net/item/33
• http://likelysoft.com/hacks/pictureframes.shtml
Disassemble Laptop
• Go slow, and be careful
• Read this (screen removal):
http://www.screentekinc.com/lcdremoval-instructions.shtml
• Go slow and be careful
• Save all parts
Laptop parts
1. Remove
unnecessary
parts
2. Save
everything
3. Remove
screen
Keyboard
I had to drill
to remove
two stripped
screws!
Spare parts removed
Some
laptops
need
certain
parts in
order to run
Some parts
can be
turned off
in BIOS
No need to
detach the
connector
Theres a
“high
voltage”
warning on
one piece
Definitely
use the web
to help
remove the
screen
Velcro the
screen to
laptop back
Screen removed
Frame assembly
• Used a
shadow
box
• Mat to
cover
“ugly
bits”
• How to
hold in
place?
Cosmetics
• Drilled hole in bottom for power cord
• Power supply is in the case
• Back removes for easy keyboard
access
• Boots automatically when plugged
in (!?)
Rear view
Front view
Issues to resolve
• Heat! – need to reinstall heat sink
• Wireless connection – find/install
drivers, configure (optional)
• Unmounting HD problem
• Booting nmbd (part of Samba) issue
(minor)
Lessons learned
• Learned beginning Linux
• Learned more about laptop internals
• Developed more troubleshooting
skills, searching skills