Android "Smart" TV
Hello there! this time I will show you how you can create a smart TV from an old obsolete mobile phone, just laying in the cupboard.
Note: Your old smartphone needs to have a MHL support,
please check it in STEP 1 & Resources section at the end of this post, before continuing with order!
PARTS:
- Old Andorid smartphone supporting usb OTG/MHL (Sony Xperia Z1 Compact in my case)
- Mobile charger
- Micro USB to HDMI Adapter – [€8,19]
- HDMI cable for TV – 1,5m – [€1,88]
- Any bluetooth keyboard/mouse (*optional) - [€3,79]
Total prize: €13,86
HOW TO
STEP 1: VERIFY IF YOU PHONE SUPPORT MHL
You can easily check if you old mobile phone support MHL on below page:
mhltech.org
If you found your device there, you can continue with ordering the parts above.
STEP 2: CONNECT YOUR MOBILE VIA MHL CABLE
Connect the Micro USB of HDMI Adapter to your phone, HDMI cable to Micro USB and to HDMI Adapter on TV. Then adapter cable to Micro USB on HDMI Adapter.
Turn on the TV select the HDMI imput and insert the adapter to wall socket.
STEP 3: CONNECT BT KEYBOARD/MOUSE (optional)
Connect your BT keyboard/mouse with your phone, so you can easily operate the mobile phone from the couch!
STEP 4: ENJOY YOUR (NEW) SMART TV!
Resources/other sites
What is MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link)? Check mhltech.org
or Wikipedia
USB Boot on Retro PC
Is it possible to boot from USB even it's not supported by BIOS? Yes it is!
Recently I get to an ancient notebook (Acer Travelmate 2303), where USB booting from BIOS was not supported.
I was wondering if some thing like BIOS update can fix it. In my case - it can't. The options I have are: HDD, CD/DVD, Floppy or Network.
But I've found a very nice tool, which can add a booting option to the boot sequence. Thank you Elmar Hanlhofer!
OPTION 1 : Install to Boot menu on HDD
STEP 1: Download Software
To enable booting from an USB key, you will need to download a tool called Plop Boot Manager.
STEP 2: Extract and Install
Once the zip is downloaded extract the contest of the file anywhere in to the PC.
Once extracted just navigate to "Windows" folder and execute "InstallToBootMenu.bat"
You will get a black screen with a confirmation to install. Once all set few files will be saved onto HDD and the boot.ini file will be updated.
STEP 3: Reboot PC and select PLOP Boot Manager
Once all above done, you can restart your PC and you should be able to see Plop Boot Manager during booting of your laptop/pc.
Despite that the BIOS does not have the option, you’re now able to boot anything using the USB drive. Yay!
OPTION 2: Burn Live CD/DVD
STEP 1: Download Software
To enable booting from an USB key, you will need to download a tool called Plop Boot Manager.
STEP 2: Burn to CD/DVD
Once the download is finished, extract the downloaded file. You see the image file: plpbt.iso. Burn the image to a blank CD or DVD using whatever burning software you prefer.
STEP 3: REBOOT PC AND SELECT BOOT FROM CD-ROM
Insert CD/DVD into your PC and enable booting from CD-ROM/DVD Drive
Running PLOP Boot Manager
Other options to start the Boot Manager
But you have more options to run it....
Do you prefer Floppy, PCMCIA card, LAN or something else? For more ways how to run the PLOP please visit link:
LiveCD and other ways to start the Boot Manager
Resources/other sites
- Plop Boot Manager
- Boot from USB without BIOS Support via PLoP CD
- Boot From a USB Drive Even if your BIOS Won’t Let You
Turn an Old PC into a Chromebook
Recently I get to a very old laptop Thinkpad T60 (type 1951) released in 2006, which had installed Windows XP in it with 2 GB RAM.
I was wondering what I can do to make it somehow "alive" again ...
(Otherwise it can go to a trash, and that is something what I don't want to do... )
These days XP is not the best option for a notebook, so what other options do I have? Searching over the internet I found some options how to turn old pc/laptop into a Chromebook...
I've found the CloudReady and Chromium OS by ArnoldTheBat as the "most up to date" / "not dead" releases. Both looks very promising for a test.
So let's try... on this ancient notebook....
The parameters of the laptop:
Processor: Intel Core Solo processor T1300 @ 1.66GHz
RAM: 2x1GB (later I bought 2x2GB for better performance, even the 32bit system can see only 3GB)
HDD: 50GB (approx. 45 GB free after install)
Graphic card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (Intel 945GM)
Connectivity - LAN/Wifi
USB BOOT - Yes
"CHROMEOS" running on OLD laptop
Top pictures showing Cloudready, bottom Chromium OS
HARDWARE
All you will need is a laptop and at least 8GB USB key.
- Old PC/Laptop
- empty 8GB (or greater) USB key
SOFTWARE
- option 1: Neverware - CloudReady: Home Edition USB Maker
or:
- option 2: ArnoldTheBat - Chromium OS
For option 2 you will need also a software to load the image to USB:
balenaEtcher -- OR -- Rufus
HOW TO
STEP 1: Prepare BOOTING USB
CloudReady (option 1)
Run the installer and follow on screen instructions. For this laptop I've chosen (logically) the 32-bit system.
Note: You can use any computer, preferably with Windows to create CloudReady USB - see Neverware web page for how to.
From the page: "The CloudReady USB Maker is a Windows application (.exe) that you can download directly from Neverware to guide you through the process of creating a CloudReady USB installer."
CHROMIUM OS (option 2)
Download the image from the link provided above and use Balena Etcher or Rufus to create bootable USB.
STEP 3: RUN LIVE OS
Once you have the USB ready, reboot/run the laptop, choose booting from USB. Now the laptop should read the USB and start loading the live image from USB.
STEP 4: INSTALL OS ON HDD
Once the OS is running you will need to connect to internet (wifi/lan) and setup your credentials on google. Then either click on install or do some manual steps.
CloudReady (option 1)
For Cloudready once booted into the system, left-click on the clock at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. Then click "Install OS".
CHROMIUM OS (option 2)
For Chromium OS by ArnoldTheBat, you need to follow manual process, which will install the OS to your HDD:
1. After your computer has booted to the Chromium OS login screen, press [ Ctrl ] [ Alt ] [ F2 ]
2. Login with the chronos user (password not required)
3. Execute command lsblk to verify destination HDD
4. Execute command /usr/sbin/chromeos-install --dst/dev/sda to start install on 1st HDD disk - sda
STEP 5: REMOVE USB AND RUN CHROME OS
All done :) enjoy new Chrome OS system on your old pc/laptop.
Note: For the Thinkpad T60 the Cloudready OS was better option, as all the peripherals were immediately working. Also T60 is still in the list of supported/certified models.
More on: Certified Model Finder.
RESOURCES/OTHER SITES
- CloudReady: Install Guide
- Chromium OS | ArnoldTheBats World of Whimsy
- Getting to a command prompt on Chromium OS
DYI All-In-One Gaming Console
Hi there, this DYI is about Raspberry Pi in "ALL-IN-ONE" box.
PARTS:
- Raspberry Pi 2 - lying at home - [€42,90]
- Wifi dongle - ASUS USB-N10 Nano - [€9,90]
- MicroSD card, 16GB – [€9,59]
- 25CM TF to micro SD card Flex Extension cable Extender Adapter - [€2,63]
- Wireless Mini Keyboard – [€6,83] -- OR -- use any USB standard keyboard
- Samsung LTN154X3-L01 15.4" Laptop LCD Screen - lying at home
- Controller Board + Backlight Inverter + 30P Lvds Cable + Remote – [€35,21]
- Plastic Box - KUGGIS IKEA (26 x 35 x 8 cm) - [€5,99]
- Chopping board (24.5 x 17.3 cm) - [€1,89]
- 2 Ch Digital Stereo Audio 5V Amplifier 3W*2 (PAM8403) – [€1,09]
- Speakers - lying at home
- Power Supply 12V+5V 2A AC Adapter - [€2,88]
- DC Power Male Jack Connector
- Micro USB male - [€0,70]
- 2x USB Male Connector - [2x 0,90€]
- Dual USB Female Connector - [0,90€]
- Plastic screws M2/M3 Male Female Nylon Screws Kit
- Plastic electrical wire molding (used for top & bottom panels) - [€1,24]
Still on my TODO list (optional):
- power, reset buttons & leds - from old PC [€0,99]
- 50mm 12v CPU Fan - OR 80mm fan - [€1,41]
Total prize: €155,66
Notes:
– The price above showing the totals if you don’t have anything lying at home
– Prices may differ, above showing the prices in the time of my order
TOOLS
- screwdriver
- razor blade
- drilling machine + drills
- hot glue gun + glue
HOW TO
STEP 1: TEST ALL PARTS + LOAD IMAGE
Before you will start with anything related to this DIY, I would like to recommend you to connect all parts somewhere on wooden table, and test if all works as expected.
Images of the PI, and how to for software:
RetroPie Image for the SD card
RetroPie First-Installation
RetroPie Supported systems
STEP 2: DESIGN HOLDER - CHOPPING BOARD
First I was thinking how to fix all in place inside the machine without big hurts. I've chosen the plastic chopping board, which will be fixed to the monitor and will hold all the needed.
So measured and measured, then drill holes and attach the screws.
STEP 3: ADD ALL PARTS TO THE BACK OF MONITOR
Once screws are in place I've started will attaching all in place.
STEP 4: TOP PANEL
Top panel was the easiest on the whole machine. I've just took the plastic screws and glue it on the cut panel from electrical wire molding.
STEP 5: BOTTOM PANEL
As the opposite, the bottom panel was the hardest part of this project. I need to think carefully were and how to attach power, card slot, usb inputs and monitor controller.
Then with a help of hot glue & screws I've fixed them in place.
STEP 6: BOX
I've measured 4 holes to be drilled into the box so it will hold the LCD (and all underlying hardware). This is the only one drilling needed for the Plastic Box from IKEA.
... So you can reuse it in a case of need :) ...
STEP 7: ALL IN ONE - LET'S PLAY!
I've tested the machine, all loloks and works nicely.
STEP 8: OPTIONAL: BUTTONS & FAN
You can optionally add power & reset buttons + some fan to cool the machine. One day I will probably add it there...
RESOURCES/OTHER SITES
DIY NES Retro Gaming Console
DIY NES Retro Gaming Console
Hi, welcome to my DIY project. I believe you here, because you would like to build your own "Retro Gaming Console"... Or maybe jusr curious?
Before I start with this DIY just a comment, I've searched over the internet to find the best and possibly cheapest option to create this.
Found several resources (check bottom of this page) and my plans were inspired mainly by the console from Zach on HowChoo.
What I was missing was the reset and power buttons + LED for PI status. You don't really need any extra one.
The PI have the LED so what we need to do is just to reverse it inside the cart - so the LED will be visible at the top of the cart - trough a hole.
For the software I will choose the RetroPie. For me it seems the best one to fit all needs and it support more then 60 systems! WOW! So... let's start...
PARTS
Console:
1. NES cartrige - [€3,50]
2. Raspberry Pi Zero W - incl. shipping [€16,63]
3. MicroSD card, 16GB - [€9,59]
4. 3-port USB mini OTG Hub - [€3,34]
5. Micro USB B Male Female M/F Extension - [€0,73]
6. Mini HDMI Male to HDMI Female Cable - [€1,38]
7. Metal Tactile Push Buttons - 5.2*5.2*4.3mm - [€0.60]
Other parts:
8. 5V 2A Micro USB Power supply - [€2,32]
9. HDMI cable for TV - 1,5m - [€1,88] --- OR --- HDMI to VGA adapter - [€5,32]
10.Wired USB SNES Controller - [€2.70] (*2nd controller optional +€2.70])
11. Wireless Mini Keyboard - [€6,83] --- OR ---- any USB standard keyboard
12. NES cartridge dust cover (*optional) - [€0,83]
13. Sticker (*optional) - [€1.99]
Total prize: €60,34
Notes:
– The price above showing the totals if you don’t have anything lying at home
– Prices may differ, above showing the prices in the time of my order
HOW TO
STEP 1: TEST ALL PARTS + LOAD IMAGE
Before we will start with anything related to DIY, I would like to recommend you to connect all parts somewhere on wooden table or so and test if all works as expected.
RetroPie Image for the SD card
RetroPie First-Installation
RetroPie Supported systems
Step 2: Modifying NES cartrige
Tools:
- razor blade
- drill
To add various ports in an accessible way, you'll need to remove a piece of the plastic housing near the opening.
Also you need to remove unneeded inside parts and drill 3 holes - 2 for power & reset buttons and one for LED from PI to see status.
So take the razor blade and carefully go back and forth on the longer sides of the housing, until you feel it could go out.
Then just cut the other - shorter sides. Once done cutoff also the two plastic pins inside.
Legend: red - Parts removed with razor blade; green - 3 holes drilled
Step 3: Modifying 3-port USB mini Hub
Tools:
- razor blade
USB which I ordered got the output cable on the side, but to install it inside the NES cartridge you'll need to move it to the back.
The USB Hub does not have any screws, so you've just easily open it and make a similar hole in the back with razor blade.
Besides that HUB had a blue LED, which was not needed, so carefully crack it (*optional).
Then just add the cable at the back of it (new hole) and close it.
Legend: red - old hole on the side; green - new hole on the back; blue - cracked LED
Step 4: Try how parts fits inside!
Now is the time to try PI and all the ports/cables...If all is OK, now you'll need to solder the reset and power buttons.
Step 5: Solder buttons to Pi and secure ALL in PLACE
Tools:
- soldering iron (+solder)
- screwdriver
- hot glue gun (+glue)
Below on the picture you can see a GPIO outputs for power on/off button and fortunately pi zero have the pins for reset - so no need GPIO.
Legend: orange - power on/off button; red - reset button
STEP 6: CODE FOR POWER BUTTON
As the Raspberry Pi Zero W does not have any power button, we need to use 2 GPIO pins (5 and 6) and a piece of code for safely shut down the PI via power button.
Power button is not a must, but I really like the idea to have a power & reset hardware buttons for easy reset or turn off/stand-by.
You need to create 2 files inside the PI. The easiest for me was to run the RetroPie image and push F4 to go into command prompt.
a. Create a file "listen-for-shutdown.py":
sudo nano listen-for-shutdown.py
b. Paste/rewrite the following code into that file:
#!/usr/bin/env pythonimport RPi.GPIO as GPIOimport subprocessGPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)GPIO.setup(3, GPIO.IN, pull_up_down=GPIO.PUD_UP)GPIO.wait_for_edge(3, GPIO.FALLING)subprocess.call(['shutdown', '-h', 'now'], shell=False)
c. Then we need to start this script on RPI boot. So we'll save it in "/usr/local/bin"
sudo mv listen-for-shutdown.py /usr/local/bin/
d. Make it executable:
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/listen-for-shutdown.py
e. Now we need to add another script called "listen-for-shutdown.sh" that will start/stop our service. Create the script:
sudo nano listen-for-shutdown.sh
f.Enter the following code in that file and save it:
#! /bin/sh### BEGIN INIT INFO# Provides: listen-for-shutdown.py# Required-Start: $remote_fs $syslog# Required-Stop: $remote_fs $syslog# Default-Start: 2 3 4 5# Default-Stop: 0 1 6### END INIT INFO# If you want a command to always run, put it here# Carry out specific functions when asked to by the systemcase "$1" in start) echo "Starting listen-for-shutdown.py" /usr/local/bin/listen-for-shutdown.py & ;; stop) echo "Stopping listen-for-shutdown.py" pkill -f /usr/local/bin/listen-for-shutdown.py ;; *) echo "Usage: /etc/init.d/listen-for-shutdown.sh {start|stop}" exit 1 ;;esacexit 0
g. Place this file in "/etc/init.d" and make it executable.
sudo mv listen-for-shutdown.sh /etc/init.d/sudo chmod +x /etc/init.d/listen-for-shutdown.sh
h. Now we'll register the script to run on boot.
sudo update-rc.d listen-for-shutdown.sh defaults
i. now go ahead and start it with:
sudo /etc/init.d/listen-for-shutdown.sh start
STEP 7: Test the buttons & Reassemble the cart
Tools:
- screwdriver
STEP 8: Sticker - holes
Tools:
- scissors
- thumbtack smaller
- thumbtack bigger
- toothpick
- razor blade
I've ordered 6 stickers ( 6 because it was on A4 paper size) and I was wondering how to make a nice small rounded holes.
Unfortunately I don't have punch machine at home (another €7 in local store), so used thumbtacks, toothpick and razor blade to carefully create holes that I need.
STEP 9:Sticker - Apply it
Tools:
- only your hands :)
In this step you need to carefully apply the sticker on the card- start from top of the card (where the buttons are).
STEP 10: ALL DONE - LET'S PLAY!
Now it's the time to connect all outside cables to the card and to you TV or monitor!
...aaaand.. Works great!
Resources/other sites
DIY NES CLASSIC
PI Cart Retropie in a NES Cartridge
Retro gaming console
Raspberry PI Zero NES Case Project
nes-cart-retropie.pdf
Build your own Raspberry PI Retro gaming rig
PI cart a Raspberry Pi retro gaming rig in an NES cartridge
How to add a power button to your Raspberry Pi
Retro console NES cartridge using Raspberry Pi Zero
Repurpose old laptop
THE LAPTOP IS STILL WORKING
If your laptop is still working, you can do several awesome things, see below some examples of how to reuse old "working" laptop.
TRY (LIGHTWEIGHT) LINUX OR TURN IT INTO A CHROMEBOOK
Check out my DIY here --> XXX -- OR -- see below links:
Convert it into a NAS or Home Server
Use it for old-school gaming
Transform it into a Digital Photo Frame
Make it a Wireless Bridge
Create tablet
GIVE IT TO YOUR RELATIVE, SELL OR DONATE...
THE LAPTOP IS DEAD
If the laptop is dead, you can still sell it.. OR.. do some awesome DIY stuff, check out some cool examples below. Several of them already done by myself.
Monitor
If the computer is dead, but the monitor works fine, you might be able to detach it and turn it into an external monitor. It's perfect for adding a second monitor to your existing PC,
hooking up something like a Raspberry Pi, or anything else you might need an extra screen for.
HDD
If the HDD works as well, you can easily turn it into an external HDD. Done this!
Optical Drive
If the laptop optical drive is still in a good shape, you can easily do an external CD/DVD drive.
Camera
For the camera - you can do a pretty good USB camera by using a spare USB cable and a little soldering.
BATTERY
You could use the battery to power the pi or other things, but you would need a voltage regulator, so that you did not fry those components, or cause the battery to explode, which would be really bad. TODO list updated..
KEYBOARD
Unfortunately keyboard is just a bunch of keys, so without a controller - which is a part of motherboard it's crap.
Doing some research, it turns out that laptop keyboards don't have the controller circuit inside. They are just the keys with the contacts, and ribbon cable connects those contacts to the controller
circuit on the motherboard.
So there is no way to convert that ribbon cable to a PS/2 or USB interface alone. But anyway here are few tips what can be done:
Touchpad
If you do believe that the touchpad can be used - you can use it as PS/2 touchpad. Also on my TODO list, this touchpad really can be useful again! Stay tuned... Some references:
CPU
Hot cup/plate OR hand warmer.. adding to TODO list. Some references:
CMOS / CLOCK (RTC) Battery
If it is still good, battery can be used in various devices, like kid toys, weather stations, kitchen scales, etc..
Power Supply
You can use old power supply to power another system you need. Example Step down Regulator Modules, which you can use to power your Pi or anything you want.
Or you can use DC 12V 19V 24V to 5V 6A Power Step Down Module 4 Four USB Mobile Car Charger Module for any USB device. Adding to my TODO list...
SPEAKER(S)
Small external speaker(s) for anything.. Just a little soldering, amplifier and one stereo jack.. On my TODO list for now...
Fan
Maybe a desk fan ? Let me think... On my TODO list as well...
OTHER PARTS
Sell or Donate :) Really did not found anything all over the internet + nothing in my mind of how they can be used... But if you have any other idea, please let me know!
Thanks.
