I just redone my pictureframe and updated the innards with the inside of a TiBook G4 400. This makes it usefull again because the old PB 1400 innards were aging and the frame was never used anymore. Now that it can run OS X i can use it as a Picture frame and download station in one. I'll make pictures of the setup when i got time, cause its a real cool mod to share with you all.
Anyway all is setup and running, the main display is used to present the pictures as a picture frame, i got remote desktop running so i can log in using my MBP from home or work. The slideshow program im using is Photo presenter, really nice program which i applescripted to run on startup and start slideshow. Photo presenter has and option to choose which display to use. My idea now is to make the tiBook think it has a second display connected to the VGA port, so i could use that display for bitrocket/download programs while logged into it using remote desktop while the main display is stil used for the slideshow.
I know its possible and thought that it involved a VGA plug that was hardwired in a way to let the TiBook think it has another display connected? Can someone give me a hint if its possible? Or is there software that makes that possible?
I'll post a story shortly about the new picture frame when this last problem is solved.
I have a TiPowerbook 500. I have used the S-video to RCA adapter to a TV for this, but a VGA connector to a monitor should work too. Firstly actually connect the computer to a second monitor. Then go into System Preferences/Displays and select "Detect Displays". The system will then come back with what type of device it thinks it is connected to, ask if it's correct, and how to layout the screen space in relationship to the main monitor. Make your settings. Now disconnect the monitor. The computer will behave like it is still there, unless and until you do another "Detect Displays".
I found this "trick" out while using the second display for a backgammon screen. Even when the second monitor was turned off/disconnected, the window for the game would start up where I had dragged it to the last time . . . the desktop space on the second "ghost" monitor.
Good luck with your project, and please post pictures of it when you can.
Mutant_Pie
Thanks that worked like a charm, does it also stick after a restart? Anyway thank for the quick reply, i did the same as you did. Ill look into a permanent solution using a VGA plug hardwired with resistors so that it even works after a restart. BTW do you use remote desktop to log in? Since having the 2nd display my colors are all strange in remote desktop, on screen its fine btw. But no prob i use grayscale in ARD anyways.
Yeah, I think that setting up a second monitor as described above does work through restarts. I remember because what is your "charm" was my curse, when I forgot and the backgammon game came on in a window on the ghost monitor. So you should try it without a hardware work-around first.
I was going to say "no", that I don't use remote desktop to log-in, but then I remembered that I do accross my little WAN here at home, but just to access different files, not to modify program running on the remote computer. Is that easy to do? (I know moderator, I should do my own research, but we're talking about it.)
Mutant_Pie