UPDATED
ok. im starting a CarPuter project. seems to be the thing to do atm lol
looking for advise and pointers :D

i want the carputer to:
play music (from computer using itunes or similar software)
Gps (lowest priority, as i have a gps unit stuck to windscreen)
wireless internet
bluetooth
can anyone else think of other things i should include?

heres what i have so far.
Screen-
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Motorized-In-dash-7-TFT-Touch-Screen-VGA-AV-LCD-Monitor_W0QQitemZ140236664650QQihZ004QQcategoryZ32 826QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
BUYING NEXT TUESDAY IF ALL GOES TO PLAN :)

i know the double DIN screens took better and are way cheaper but due to safty reasons im goin for a single DIN fold away screen. plus i want to keep my sony dvd headunit :D. that way i dont have to worry about a dvd player for the carputer

Carputer-
Motherboard-
Option A-
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Flex-ATX-Motherboard-VIA-C3-800MHz-CPU-not-Mini-ITX-ITX_W0QQitemZ290235065631QQihZ019QQcategoryZ1244QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
really cheap but larger then mini-ITX boards
Option B-
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/EPIA-V-VIA-C3-800MHz-ITX-Mini-ITX-Motherboard-TV-Out_W0QQitemZ290234502270QQihZ019QQcategoryZ1244QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
smaller but still cheap.

Processor- 800 MHz

i have an 80Gig Hdd and 512mb of RAM and home out of my old computers.
however ill eventually buy a 250gig or higher external Hdd so i can store more and if i wish to add software/music etc to it i can simply remove it from car then replace it when done .
i also have a bluetooth dongle that i will add to it.

RAM
will eventually add 2 gig of ram

wireless internet,-
dont no how to go about this-
Option A-
http://store.mp3car.com/WiFi_802_11b_g_USB_Mini_Adapter_p/com-046.htm
option B-
http://store.mp3car.com/Linksys_USB_Wireless_G_WUSB54G_p/com-030.htm

option B is more expensive but offers faster net, longer range etc.
looking for other opinions and other ideas for wireless internet.

Soundcard-
Looking for recomendations. ATM im thinking of using a USB 5.1ch soundblaster. does any1 know if there any good?

location-
Now plan on placing it in my boot.

Case-
Now plan on coping Magtech's case using a baking tray and wood (see page 4)

Power supply-
http://store.mp3car.com/M2_ATX_160W_Intelligent_DC_DC_PSU_p/pwr-027.htm

Software-
any ideas on software?
cavelive i think its called seems alright. any other options?

also thinking of adding one of these;
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-PC-Desktop-Computer-PCI-TV-Tuner-Video-Capture-Card_W0QQitemZ230256793472QQihZ013QQcategoryZ3761Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp163 8Q2em122

ok i want my carputer to be able to connect to my phone, so i can answer it using the touch screen and operate my phone using the carputer. is this possilbe? and wat software do i need?


I think thats about it.
any advise is greatly appreaciated. lol
im sorry for all the questions but i want to do it right and my computer knowledge isnt that great.
thanks

ok. im starting a CarPuter project. seems to be the thing to do atm lol
looking for advise and pointers :D

i want the carputer to:
play music (from computer using itunes or similar software)
Gps (lowest priority, as i have a gps unit stuck to windscreen)
wireless internet
bluetooth
can anyone else think of other things i should include?

heres what i have so far.
Screen-
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Motorized-In-dash-7-TFT-Touch-Screen-VGA-AV-LCD-Monitor_W0QQitemZ140236664650QQihZ004QQcategoryZ32 826QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

i know the double DIN screens took better and are way cheaper but due to safty reasons im goin for a single DIN fold away screen. plus i want to keep my sony dvd headunit :D. that way i dont have to worry about a dvd player for the carputer

Carputer-
Motherboard-
http://store.mp3car.com/Intel_D201GLY2A_Little_Valley_with_1_33_GHz_p/mtb-054.htm
going for this as its cheap and has the features i need.

Processor- 1.33 GHz

i have an 80Gig Hdd and 512mb of RAM and home out of my old computers.
however ill eventually buy a 250gig or higher external Hdd so i can store more and if i wish to add software/music etc to it i can simply remove it from car then replace it when done.
i also have a bluetooth dongle that i will add to it.

wireless internet,-
dont no how to go about this-
Option A-
http://store.mp3car.com/WiFi_802_11b_g_USB_Mini_Adapter_p/com-046.htm
option B-
http://store.mp3car.com/Linksys_USB_Wireless_G_WUSB54G_p/com-030.htm

option B is more expensive but offers faster net, longer range etc.
looking for other opinions and other ideas for wireless internet.

also how do i go about making the carputer play music though my sound system?
the only sound output i know of on a pc is the headphone jack? the easiest way i can think of is run head phone jack to the AUX input on my head unit.
i will need a good sound card for this yes???
any recommendations??

location-i have had a few ideas on where i should place the carputer.
boot, golvebox, under seat etc.
but i think my best option is in the center console as from there all the wires and cables can run under the plastic stip thingy around the gears haha i dont no what its called.
will this be a good location? will it get enough air, will it be cool enough?
also is it wise to add fans to regulate airflow?

Case-
i plan on making the case myself, to save money and can be sure it the correct size.
any recommendations on materials to use? i was thinking of copying MitchellO and using on metal breifcase type thing except make it smaller so it fits in center console. (its quiet large once the plastic thing is removed)

Power supply-
http://store.mp3car.com/M2_ATX_160W_Intelligent_DC_DC_PSU_p/pwr-027.htm

Software-
any ideas on software?
cavelive i think its called seems alright. any other options?


I think thats about it.
any advise is greatly appreaciated. lol
im sorry for all the questions but i want to do it right and my computer knowledge isnt that great.
thanks

For audio, I recommend getting an amp for your speakers and wiring the audio jack to the RCAs on the amp, but yeah, aux will work too.

For audio, I recommend getting an amp for your speakers and wiring the audio jack to the RCAs on the amp, but yeah, aux will work too.

my front alpine splits are amped and so are my 2 subs but my 6*9's in the rear arnt amped.
i think ill just use AUX, its alot simpler.
thanks for the advise guys. keep it comin lol


Sorry no advice or answers to your questions lol, but good luck with the project and keep us updated :) cheers Brad

haha ill keep yous updated.
ill be getting the screen in 2 weeks. then ill begin building the carputer.

ok just ran into a problem.
i want to add a video card to better graphics ect but i also want one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-PC-Desktop-Computer-PCI-TV-Tuner-Video-Capture-Card_W0QQitemZ230256793472QQihZ013QQcategoryZ3761Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp163 8Q2em122
and they both use the PCI slot.
what can i do???

Welcome to the club!

I have gotten good results using an inverter to power a normal powersupply, then using standard computer parts because replacments are cheap.

The front end I use is media engine, seems to be pretty good. However if you going to go all out buy centrafuse, it's AWESOME!

ok just ran into a problem.
i want to add a video card to better graphics ect but i also want one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-PC-Desktop-Computer-PCI-TV-Tuner-Video-Capture-Card_W0QQitemZ230256793472QQihZ013QQcategoryZ3761Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp163 8Q2em122
and they both use the PCI slot.
what can i do???

No need for a better gfx card, does your motherboard have VGA? That'll do for what you've stated above :)

ok just ran into a problem.
i want to add a video card to better graphics ect but i also want one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-PC-Desktop-Computer-PCI-TV-Tuner-Video-Capture-Card_W0QQitemZ230256793472QQihZ013QQcategoryZ3761Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp163 8Q2em122
and they both use the PCI slot.
what can i do???
If that mobo has onboard (doesn't look like it does to me) use that and get the PCI TV Tuner, if it doesn't get a USB TV Tuner.


i know the double DIN screens took better and are way cheaper but due to safty reasons im goin for a single DIN fold away screen.
Curious, why do you see a Single DIN unit as safer? If you meant for security I understand but safety?

No need for a better gfx card, does your motherboard have VGA? That'll do for what you've stated above :)


yes it has VGA

If that mobo has onboard (doesn't look like it does to me) use that and get the PCI TV Tuner, if it doesn't get a USB TV Tuner.


Curious, why do you see a Single DIN unit as safer? If you meant for security I understand but safety?
yeah i was searchin ebay and saw the USB ones. might just do that.

oh yes i meant for security. ive already had ppl try to break into my car. dont want them seeing a 7" screen cos then i bet thell actually get in this time ahah.

Welcome to the club!

I have gotten good results using an inverter to power a normal powersupply, then using standard computer parts because replacments are cheap.

The front end I use is media engine, seems to be pretty good. However if you going to go all out buy centrafuse, it's AWESOME!

wat does that mean.?? as i said im not the best with computers. lol
areu just refering to the M2 atx power supply?

and yeah i think ill go all out and get Centrafuse. had a member offer me it for 50 buks so if i have spare cash i shall be taking up his offer.

wat does that mean.?? as i said im not the best with computers. lol
areu just refering to the M2 atx power supply?

and yeah i think ill go all out and get Centrafuse. had a member off me it for 50 buks so if i have spare cash i shall be taking up his offer.
He means a DC to AC power inverter, which basically runs off the battery and lets you plug normal power plugs into it, ie. your carpc, I'm pretty sure all normal computer parts would run the same on a DC-DC regulator =\..

oh ok.
thanks for clearing that up :)

It doesn;t run any different, but it allows for more flexability, such as plugging in a laptop/phone charger if need be, it also allows for easier upgrading in the future.

It doesn;t run any different, but it allows for more flexability, such as plugging in a laptop/phone charger if need be, it also allows for easier upgrading in the future.

how much, and were can i get them from?
have u got a link to a website about them??
is it like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/150W-DC-12V-to-AC220V-Power-Inverter-4-Boat-Car-Laptop_W0QQitemZ330239792693QQihZ014QQcategoryZ677 5QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
or does it run directly from the battery??

also with the one above, it has a on/off switch does that mean if i turn it off power will stop goin to pc therefor turning it off? and to turn it on (if its like my desktop is) theres a cord that goes to a switch, just extend cable and mount switch sumwere conveniant?

search ebay there is a few on there but personally if you read thought mp3store's forums there is a torn debate between using inverters and using dc-dc power supplys. I personally am going the dc-dc power supply to save my battery (only going off what ive read im not starting a thread-war). But in the end inverters are the cheaper way to go and like Mrmacomouto they also alow you to plug in other things.

NOTE: You edited your post as i posted this lol.

hmm yes. inverters are ALOT cheaper, the one i found said sumthing bout turning off if battery gets low or sumthing... hmmm illhave to look into this.

oh also i noticed that i can get a normal motherboard and 2GHz processer for about 60-70 buks apposed to the mini-ITX ones that start at around 100 buks and areonly 800MHz. however the other ones are about 5-7cm larger in width and lenght then the mini-ITX ones. is this the onlyreason ppl use the mini-ITX (as they are smaller) or are there other reasons??

and the normal ones (not ITX) have more space for upgrades. ie. upto 4gig or RAM opposed to 1gig supported by the Mini-ITX ones.
so my question is other then being larger is there any other downsides to not using a Mini-ITX motherboard?? coz my boot had alot of room left in it lol

remember the main thing.

Better the parts (or more of) the more power you use = more drain on your car battery = could go dead alot quicker.

that is why people use the mini-itx motherboards as they dont consume as much power, they can have custom shutdown controllers on them (anotehr reason to choose dc-dc power supply) , That and the main thing is they dont run as hot as the bigger boards. (that and because they are smaller lol).

Also remember you can get extender cards for more ram and more pci slots.

thought that would be the case. but using a normal motherboard has ALOT of advantages:
more RAM, Faster processor, cheaper ect
but uses more power.
coz the only Mini-ITX i can find at a reasonable price is 800MHz. kinda slow really, and seeing how i want the PC to turn on quiet fast i think ill need a faster processor.



Also remember you can get extender cards for more ram and more pci slots.
oh i didnt no that haha. how much do these cost?? haha kinda dumb wen it comes to the guts of computers.
oh i see like this
http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=8
3rd from the bottom

kinda slow really, and seeing how i want the PC to turn on quiet fast i think ill need a faster processor.

Use TinyXp beast Edition - people are reporting start ups of 10seconds


oh i didnt no that haha. how much do these cost?? haha kinda dumb wen it comes to the guts of computers.

just google it i dont have ne direct links.

NOTE: you keep editing before i can reply lol. but yes thats what im talking about.

haha
i found the PCI ones but cant find the ones for ram
haha

hmm i could be wrong there might not be a ram extender (i was positive there is ive got one in my sons ****ty all in one computer)

Use TinyXp beast Edition - people are reporting start ups of 10seconds



just google it i dont have ne direct links.

NOTE: you keep editing before i can reply lol. but yes thats what im talking about.

TinyXP Is the way to go fo' sho'.
Startup and shutdown/hibernate times are WICKED, and I've bloated it more than I probably should.

oh ok. well im signing up to mp3car.com and will see if any1 is running a 800MHZ processor with 2 gig of ram and that OS u said b4 and see how fast it runs. i cant imagine it bein that slow. start up doesnt really worrie me (as long as its now like 10 min ahha) i just dont want to like click on a song to play it take ages b4 it starts playing.

okay seeing how the screen is goin to be the most expensive part of all this.
i found this
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=XC4870&CATID=&keywords=vga&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=

it changes the vga into a rca video cable. by doin this i can but a cheaper screen without vga and use this. any1 ever used this b4?

also found this
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=WQ7259&CATID=36&keywords=&SPECIAL=&form=CAT&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=643

will it work??

okay seeing how the screen is goin to be the most expensive part of all this.
i found this
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=XC4870&CATID=&keywords=vga&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=

it changes the vga into a rca video cable. by doin this i can but a cheaper screen without vga and use this. any1 ever used this b4?

also found this
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=WQ7259&CATID=36&keywords=&SPECIAL=&form=CAT&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=643

will it work??

Sweet, another magputer :D

I'd steer clear of using composite video, text will look horrible. Save up ya pennies and go with a vga screen.

As for the software... I've been running "Road Runner" for close to two years now. It's a bit fiddly to get all the functions working but once you work it out, there's soo much stuff you can play with.

I did try another piece of software recently. From memory it was called FreeIce - It is flash based and therefore more resource hungry. My Via Epia MII12000 (1.2ghz 512mb ram) struggled with the graphics. I'm not about to add a dedicated graphics card - just for smooth menu transitions.

Both roadrunner and FreeIce are freely available from the mp3car website.

Have fun! It's a great little project. Look forward to seeing the progress reports.

should look good...... ill follow this and wait to see how you go

any computer questions throw them my way if you need to

cheers

Got an idea for mounting, this is what I would do if I was to install one (Couldn't afford it :().

Basically the part in the boot behind the seat is a good mounting place, just bolt on a piece of steel and drill out of holes to mount it, then theres a nice open mounting location. Also plexiglass covered in dynamat to protect it is advisable.

As for covering it, A peice of covered plywood that can double as a sub enclosure to cover that it is there, cover that up in some nice carpet or vinyl and for ease of access throw some gas-lifters on the top side, and hinges on the bottom. To stop it moving while driving put a little latch up top somewhere.

And bingo, there is now a hidden compartment in your boot!

I suggest get a decent sound card and as to enclosure this is what I ended up.
mdf, vinyl, and baking tray for the pc components with acrylic plastic on top.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o248/MagnaTech07/DSC00311.jpg

Got an idea for mounting, this is what I would do if I was to install one (Couldn't afford it :().

Basically the part in the boot behind the seat is a good mounting place, just bolt on a piece of steel and drill out of holes to mount it, then theres a nice open mounting location. Also plexiglass covered in dynamat to protect it is advisable.

As for covering it, A peice of covered plywood that can double as a sub enclosure to cover that it is there, cover that up in some nice carpet or vinyl and for ease of access throw some gas-lifters on the top side, and hinges on the bottom. To stop it moving while driving put a little latch up top somewhere.

And bingo, there is now a hidden compartment in your boot!

sounds great,
however i already have 2 subs and 2 amps in my boot. the only place i have left is the left side near the wheel arch. i have a panel made up so it matches the other side which a amp is on. i think i have a pic.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P1310191.jpg
there we go.
btw its alot neater now. no wires or cable lying around, and i have a bigger amp lol
i was thinking if it looks neat enough to mount it on that spare panel but if it looks ugly mount it in side the board and cut it so it can flip out if i need to get to it.
if you get wat i mean???:D

I suggest get a decent sound card and as to enclosure this is what I ended up.
mdf, vinyl, and baking tray for the pc components with acrylic plastic on top.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o248/MagnaTech07/DSC00311.jpg
btw that looks tops. :D :D

btw that looks tops. :D :D

Agreed, but you need all those neon intereor cables for your pc, then you can be as cool as the wow nerds.

no offense wow nerds, but mod a magna before you mod your computer

Agreed, but you need all those neon intereor cables for your pc, then you can be as cool as the wow nerds.

no offense wow nerds, but mod a magna before you mod your computer

i mod both, beat that one :P

Can't really mod a laptop :P Can buy some PC neons and modify them to fit a car though :)

I suggest get a decent sound card and as to enclosure this is what I ended up.
mdf, vinyl, and baking tray for the pc components with acrylic plastic on top.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o248/MagnaTech07/DSC00311.jpg

so with this did you make a frame from MDF cover it than place all the PC stuff in a baking dish then drop the baking dish in the MDF frame then place the plastic over top???? so its like a baking dish with a wooden frame? thinking about doing a similar one but with only the carputer not the amp.

The top is MDF, frame is pine wood about 4" height, no back cover just frame, for the pc just baking tray screwed on MDF and yeah plastic over the top.

oh cool. simple and seems easy enough to make haha. im so gunna steal ur idea haha

here's my simple design
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o248/MagnaTech07/cabinet.jpg

and oh I forgot to mention. You also use the baking tray upside down, simply screw it on top of mdf and you're done (but don't forget the vent ) , that is if you don't want to expore you pc parts.

WARNING: Don't use your Mom's or Girlfriend's tray, otherwise you don't wanna eat this dinner.lol lol

here's my simple design
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o248/MagnaTech07/cabinet.jpg

and oh I forgot to mention. You also use the baking tray upside down, simply screw it on top of mdf and you're done (but don't forget the vent ) , that is if you don't want to expore you pc parts.

WARNING: Don't use your Mom's or Girlfriend's tray, otherwise you don't wanna eat this dinner.lol lol

haha
thanks for that.

oh and should TinyXP be almost 700MB to download?? if not does any1 have a like to were i can downloadit from??

Torrent

yeah but the 1 i found was 699MB is that right. i read somewere that the download is only like 60Mb ?

yeah but the 1 i found was 699MB is that right. i read somewere that the download is only like 60Mb ?
you cant legally download it ;)

yes i noticed but a few sites i found have it for download. but it says its 699mb but i thought this was a big large or is that about right? i cant even find the site were u can legally buy it. does it have a website?

yes i noticed but a few sites i found have it for download. but it says its 699mb but i thought this was a big large or is that about right?
usually you download it then cut it down yourself :)

usually you download it then cut it down yourself :)

oh ok.

1st POST UPDATED

yes i noticed but a few sites i found have it for download. but it says its 699mb but i thought this was a big large or is that about right? i cant even find the site were u can legally buy it. does it have a website?

Because what they did is illegal:D

Because what they did is illegal:D
huh? wat who did is illegal??
the sites that u can download it from??
or do u mean that the product is illegal coz itslike a take off of windows xp??

huh? wat who did is illegal??
the sites that u can download it from??
or do u mean that the product is illegal coz itslike a take off of windows xp??
yeah the propgram is illegal in its complete form however if u use ur normal XP install u are able to use the program to cut down YOUR xp version if that makes sense?

AFAIK it's only illegal because they eliminated the need for you to enter a product key, and included a product key in the build.. right?

oh ok that makes sence. thanks for that..

can any1 recommend a good soundcard? ie-brand.
and are those usb ones any good?
thanks