PICS ADDED- SEE NEXT PAGE :D

okay here the update on my carputer project.
i got my dvd headunit today. and bought the vga screen, should be here in under a week =].

i have the mother board picked and will be buying it on tuesday off ebay and also if i have the spare cash ill buy the M2-ATX power supply but if not ill buy it next tuesday.

i have the RAM, HDD, bluetooth and gps receiver. so all ill need it the extras:
soundblaster
TV tuner
wifi etc.

oh i also got cantrafuse. its so good. easy to use, nice display defently worth the money. but i did get it quiet cheap from a mates mate who was getting rid of his carputer system haha.

i should have it all setup in under 2 weeks. will post pics plus do a write up once its done.

Still need recommendations for wifi, sound card and tv tuner. cheers

sounds good mate, car pc's will be the next big thing sooner or later.

the only problem is that they are not user friendly, u need to know a little bit about computers/steups, as with all computers they have issues continuously.

hence why htpc setups, although so cheap and useful, are not widely used.

but yea, sounds like you have everything set up and ready to go mate

what gps receiver are u using?

i jsut got an m3-atx. ive heard mixed reviews about them, hopefully they are just as good as the M2's

the only problem is that they are not user friendly, u need to know a little bit about computers/steups, as with all computers they have issues continuously.

hence why htpc setups, although so cheap and useful, are not widely used.

After the initial setup period my Car PC has been perfectly stable, just a reboot once a week and it's flawless. With a decent front end it is very easy to use as well, certainly no harder than a touchscreen HU.

Same with my Media Centre PC at home, perfectly stable and a lot more versatile than some HDD DVR. Got my parents and sister running MCE PC's too and they love them, no stability issues whatsoever.

sounds good mate, car pc's will be the next big thing sooner or later.

the only problem is that they are not user friendly, u need to know a little bit about computers/steups, as with all computers they have issues continuously.

hence why htpc setups, although so cheap and useful, are not widely used.

but yea, sounds like you have everything set up and ready to go mate
what gps receiver are u using?

i jsut got an m3-atx. ive heard mixed reviews about them, hopefully they are just as good as the M2's

currently i have a bluetooth gps receiver that i already had for tomtom on my pda, but its not very good, keeps dropping satalites.

yeah almost got it all ready, the screen should come in the next day or 2, and im buying the motherboard and the power supply next payday (fingures crossed, said that last week but things came up :doubt: ) then ill get all the extras the following week. so hopefully it will all by in my car within 3 weeks.

In case you're interested, I have mini-ITX board.
I got 2 of this and I'm currently using the other one.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o248/MagnaTech07/mobo1.jpg

In case you're interested, I have mini-ITX board.
I got 2 of this and I'm currently using the other one.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o248/MagnaTech07/mobo1.jpg

hey mate really keen. sent u a PM

edit-

okay i got the screen today.
its great, im very happy with it, even tho its just an ebay one.
im getting a Mini-ITX board off MagTech and hopefully will get the power supply this week or next week.
so i should have the carputer built and in my car within 2 weeks (fingerscrossed)
:D
oh and i still need advice on a gps receiver, and tv tuners (thinking of a usb one are they any good?)

any advice greatly appreciated.
thanks

96_magna_TE,

What software and front-end do you plan on running on your CarPC?

I have a VIA SP13000 board running FreeICE and iGo8 and it struggles to keep up (I even put in a Radeon 9250).. You will find that if you try running any flash-based frontend the VIA boards will have trouble..

I would recommend getting either a mini-ITX board that supports either an Intel Core 2 Duo or Core Duo.. Or one of the 45W AMD chips.

Just my 2c.

Good luck with it.

okay i got the screen today.
its great, im very happy with it, even tho its just an ebay one.
im getting a Mini-ITX board off MagTech and hopefully will get the power supply this week or next week.
so i should have the carputer built and in my car within 2 weeks (fingerscrossed)
:D
oh and i still need advice on a gps receiver, and tv tuners (thinking of a usb one are they any good?)

any advice greatly appreciated.
thanks

gps - globsat bu-353 usb receiver is a very good price and picks up a lot of satellites, i have mine sitting in my room atm and easily picks up 15

tv tuners, i havent had any experience myself, but have heard that getting a decent signal is hard in with a car, unless you have a good external antenna

gps - globsat bu-353 usb receiver is a very good price and picks up a lot of satellites, i have mine sitting in my room atm and easily picks up 15

tv tuners, i havent had any experience myself, but have heard that getting a decent signal is hard in with a car, unless you have a good external antenna

ok thanks for that.
thought it might be hard to get a claer signal, does anyone know how to go about putting in a external antenna?? or is it more trouble then what its worth.?

ok thanks for that.
thought it might be hard to get a claer signal, does anyone know how to go about putting in a external antenna?? or is it more trouble then what its worth.?

you should be able to buy some form of external areal from ebay or something, some have a magnet, some you can bold onto the lip of the boot etc. all of which look very ugly. extra antennas usually ruin the look of the car. But if you really want TV then go for it. Entertainment is key.

I'm not sure if digital tuners are any good in cars, i cant see it being too bad, they either work or not. no fuzzy signal, could be something to play around with.

I bought a TV tuner and antenna for my car a few weeks ago, and it is completely useless. Absolutely no signal whatsoever.

It's not worth the hassle, just stick to DVDs and DivX files ;)

I bought a TV tuner and antenna for my car a few weeks ago, and it is completely useless. Absolutely no signal whatsoever.

It's not worth the hassle, just stick to DVDs and DivX files ;)

hmmm yeah, might just stick to the dvds haha.not worth it, and i probs wouldnt use the tv anyway haha

okay time for another update...
still havent got a power supply :doubt: but got some other things done...

ive run all the cables from head unit / screen into the center console armreast thing... measured it up and the plenty of room in there for the carputer once the tub is removed.. thought id just locate the carputer there... it seems to keep queit cool, it a easy location to get to. i just need to construct a suitable case... (half done, making it out of a normal computer tower, but its all trial and error at this stage)

the main thing im in the process of doing is fabricating the dash console to hold the screen, dvd head unit and a Dvd-RW drive and also some USB Ports. but as theres no room left in the radio facia im plaing on useing the ashtray section. i never use the ashtray and dont allow smoking im my car so it wont bother me not having an ashtray.

what i plan to do it bog up the front so it appears to be one whole smooth peice rather then two. Then remove the insides of the ashtray and make some brackets to hold a slimline DVD-RW drive and also 2-4 USB ports. Ive been looking at it for the last week or so and although will most likely be quiet tricky it should be doable. im buying a new Radio facia and ashtray off a member here so constuction should begin within this week depending on postage times.
ill be sure to you's posted but as this is my 1st time fabricating im open to any pointers and advice :D

another thing i need to ask is, has any1 tried on of these b4?
EDIT- woops ebay link. sorry. its the AUX to ipod dock cables.

just want to know if any1 can comment on the sound quality, but if no1 had tried one b4 its only $7 so it wont hurt for me to give one a try..

They are not fantastic, I would recommend you go with the official iPod adapter for your head unit if you can connect one. I had troubles with engine whine with the one I used (Also a cheap one off ebay) as it also charged the ipod

What brand is your HU?

They are not fantastic, I would recommend you go with the official iPod adapter for your head unit if you can connect one. I had troubles with engine whine with the one I used (Also a cheap one off ebay) as it also charged the ipod

What brand is your HU?
Sony MEXDV1000 thats my headunit.

Sony MEXDV1000 thats my headunit.
my hd comes stock with a ipod cable coming out the back to bad i dont come stock with a ipod

okay another problem... hooked the carputer up in the car 2day (for testing purposes..havnt completed it yet).. everything was going great until the music wouldnt play through centrafuse... i closed centrafuse and tried it through windows media player and it was fine...

at first i thought that centrafuse might have been muted... but it wasnt and all the "beeping" and "clicking" sounds play though the cars soundsystem.. just the songs wont... i had a look through the settings but couldnt see anything that wouldhelp... any ideas what it could be? im about to sign up to mp3car but thought id quickly ask here 1st.
cheers...

OKAY got bored this arvo and got some pics of the carputer

Desktop-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P6010214.jpg

Centrafuse loading screen-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P6010215.jpg

Centrafuse Interface-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P6010216.jpg

Mess i made in my car- :D
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P6010211.jpg

As you can see from the 1st 3 pics i really need to fix the paint on the dash. ill keep adding pics as i go and keeps you's up to date.

ANOTHER UPDATE!!!
i have hit a few more hipcups :doubt: but its all sorted and am hoping to install the carPC this W.E.
okay my 1st plan was to install the carputer in the center console... however i relised this will not work as there is not enough room. The motherboard and HDD will fit fine but once in a case it wont :( . So now i plan on installing it in the boot behind one of the side panels i have. Im now using a metal DVD case as my computer case the motherboard and HDD's fit perfectly, im going to buy a Vent and cut the top of the dvd case out and attach the vent. will also rummage through my computer parts and try to find some fans from old computers and attach them on the two of the side of the case. The case also has plenty of spare room for upgrades :D

The problems with locating it in the boot are;
My USB and VGA cables are too short so ill have to buy some longer ones before i can install, i also will have to find a very long AUX cable to run from my head unit all the way to the boot, are AUX cables made this long?? or willi have to cut and extend the cable i have?

Also i have read that you can use the remote (trigger, P.cont etc) wire to power numerous PC fans? is this my best option or would it be better to splice into the cig lighter and run the cable from their, thats if the cig lighter isnt a constant power and only will give power wen the car is on ACC/ON. just concered as i already have the remote wire running to two amps.

Also i have bought a power supply, got it from MitchellO should be here this week. so i have kept this W/E free for the install. Will take photos of the install process and the finished install and if i have time / can be bothered might do a write up. i know theres already a few on here, and MitchellO's is GREAT but i have done a few different things / have taken a different approach to them so it might come in handy.
I look forward to finishing my CarPuter and cant wait to have it installed in my car, i will be sure to keep everyone updated.

Looking forward to seeing it all done mate :thumbsup:

ok.. bit more of an update..

well.. im a little behind in my install.. well ALOT behind.. lol
this is due to school and work and everything inbetween. but i have gotten back onto it and done a bit more work on my install 2day.

As i moved the carputer into the boot i needed longer cables, so today went and got longer cables, and ran them through to the boot.. the carputer is all made up into a metal case aswell.. so 2moro after school me and a mate are gunna finish it off.. all i have left to do is connect the constant power, ingnition and ground cable for the power supply.. so fingers crossed if everything goes alright ill finally have it installed 2moro.

I must say im really excited to get it finished.. im so over using DVD disks with 100's of songs on them and trying to find a song i want to listen to.

Also i have read that you can use the remote (trigger, P.cont etc) wire to power numerous PC fans? is this my best option or would it be better to splice into the cig lighter and run the cable from their, thats if the cig lighter isnt a constant power and only will give power wen the car is on ACC/ON. just concered as i already have the remote wire running to two amps.

I personally wouldnt splice into your cig lighter (they can be constant +12V, thats not the issue thought).

List of things to buy:
Bosch Relay ($30 max)
Fuse box (you can get these small fuses boxes from Repco - they hold 4-6 ATC/ATO fuses - like the one's you find in a normal fuse box).

Wire as follows:
Pin 86 on relay to earth.
Pin 85 on relay to remote trigger from H/U
Pin 30 on relay to +12 feed from battery/distribution block
Pin 87 - +12 feed wire from relay to fuse box.

Connect the +12 feed from relay to the fuse box. 1amp fuses will do in the fuse box. Run your remote triggers to amps off 1 slot each, then you should have 4 spare slots to run your fans/lights etc for your carputer.

should just be able to run the fans for the pc of the computer power supply.
yellow wire is +12v red wire is +5v

Yes you can.

It is however better (though rarely ever done) to set it up properly as I have said - once you start running 2+ remote wires, they should be run off a relay.

Since you're running a relay, you may aswell run everything else off that and fuse it all (about $50 worth of parts and 30minutes of work).

Just run the fans off the power supply mate, gives them a clean flow of 12V and they'll only be on when the PC is on.

I'm running my LCD off my M2-ATX, works a treat!

DONE :):):)
ok so i finished the carputer 2day.. its all in and all running perfectly..
im very happy with the result. there are still some finishing touches that need to be done tho;

*secure the case so it cant slide around in the boot
*add portable HDD, wifi, etc
*Move the rest of my music/vids onto the caruter.

how have others secured their carputers in the boot? i was thinkin it would just sit snug beind the side pannels i have in the boot but unfortunatly its a bit to big so the panel wont fit in any more.. ill must likly just make a new panel so it fits and holds the case in place, but what have others done to hold it in place?

im also prety happy with start up times.. about 20secs to start up then another 5-8 for centrafuse to load up.. but i have 2 operating systems loaded on the HDD so i have to wait 25 secs for it to choose the highlighted one coz i have no keyboard to click enter. How do i remove one operating system or just make it always load one automaticlly?

that about if for now.. ill get some pics later to show everyone the outcome.

how have others secured their carputers in the boot? i was thinkin it would just sit snug beind the side pannels i have in the boot but unfortunatly its a bit to big so the panel wont fit in any more.. ill must likly just make a new panel so it fits and holds the case in place, but what have others done to hold it in place?

My Car PC and amp are screwed down to a piece of wood as wide as the back part of the boot, doesn't move a millimetre.


im also prety happy with start up times.. about 20secs to start up then another 5-8 for centrafuse to load up.. but i have 2 operating systems loaded on the HDD so i have to wait 25 secs for it to choose the highlighted one coz i have no keyboard to click enter. How do i remove one operating system or just make it always load one automaticlly?

Go to Control Panel, System, Advanced tab, click the settings button under "Startup and Recovery" and reduce the "Time to display list of operating systems" or like 3 secs or something.

what have others done to hold it in place?
My carputer is wedged very snugly between my subwoofer and side of the boot. I also have some velcro on the bottom to stop it slidin'

My Car PC and amp are screwed down to a piece of wood as wide as the back part of the boot, doesn't move a millimetre.



Go to Control Panel, System, Advanced tab, click the settings button under "Startup and Recovery" and reduce the "Time to display list of operating systems" or like 3 secs or something.

ohhh thanks mate.. thats an idea.. the case sits on top of my fake floor, i can just screw it onto that.. haha y didnt i think of that haha...

another pc question.. i deleted all my music off the carputer (dunno how but it all gone) and some of it isnt on my laptop/other pc.. is there a way to get it back? its not in the recycling bin. i looked in the control panel but couldnt find a way to recover deleted stuff of find a "backup" point or anything? any help would be great :)

Unfortunately mate without attempting some data recovery your stuff is gone. Search the web for some applications to help you out.

Unfortunately mate without attempting some data recovery your stuff is gone. Search the web for some applications to help you out.

hmmm i figured this woul dbe the case.. ill google and see if i can find anything but dont think ill have any luck :(
it was ALOT of music aswell about 8-10 gig.

Pics dammit! :rant:

y
Pics dammit!

haha sorry mate.. couldnt find camera/cable.. Pics are here now tho-

Carputer Case-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P8070035.jpg

Carputer Case (Open)-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P8070036.jpg

StartUp-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P8070032.jpg

Login-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P8070033.jpg

Screen-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P8070034.jpg

Screen (closeup)-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P8070038.jpg

Cables/Wiring-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P8070031.jpg
Looks way worse in this Pic then it actually is haha

Wiring 2-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P8070030.jpg

Wiring under seat 1-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P8070039.jpg

Wiring Under Seat 2-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P8070040.jpg

As you can see i still have some tiding up to do, cables are EVERYWERE ahha.. You can also see there dash is pulled apart, im am in the process of repainting it and also if i can will try to make the Dvd drive and USB in the Ashtray section, Atm just have the USB cable running up into the center console.

Also you might see that the case i made isnt the best, i might buy one of those poker set cases and use that, there smaller and more heavy duty.
but yeah thats it, not bad for my 1st attempt if i do say so myself.

Another Pic-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/P8070037.jpg

Also still to do-
Make a new side pannel to hide carputer, the one i had there before wont fit in anymore because of the carputer.

Buy and Install;
~WiFi
~Bluetooth Dongle (lost my one)
~External HDD
~Slim Line DVD-RW Drive
~GPS receiver (if my one once i get bluetooth doesnt work)

Then Im done :) haha.

Working it out so far it has only cost me ~$190 (not including screen)

Mini-ITX MotherBoard- $50 off Magtech (sorry if names wrong)
M2-ATX Power Supply- $85 off MitchellO
40gig HHD- Free (had already)
512MB RAM- Free (Had already)
Case- $15 for vents
Wires and cables ~$40

Programs on the CarPuter-

Front ending- Centrafuse
GPS- Destinator 7 (used via centrafuse)
Other- Music Rescue (to get music off ipods)
thats all i have so far, trying to keep the PC free from crap.

Considering the low budget and the outcome im really happy, excpet Centrafuse decided to $#!& itself and i have to reinstall it now haha..

EDIT- 2moro i will be installing a switch in the trigger wire for the carputer, as i often only drive to harbour town and back which litterally is a 60second drive each way, so theres really no point in having the carputre start up coz by times it has and ive picked a song im already there.
So simply flick the switch to the off position b4 i start the car and it wont start up. :)

To save making a new thread i thought id just post it in here.
Since ive finished school now ive been doing more work on my carputer.
I bought a 160Gig portable HDD today and was also going to buy a Slimline Dvd-RW but could not find one anywere :S

I was thinking, then remembered my old laptop had a DVD-Rw and i could just use that, HOWEVER looking at it now it has a weird connection on it and cant find a cable to fit it (it normally just slots into the side of the laptop), do they even make these cables? and also if they do how long can they be, coz it needs to reach from the boot to the center dash. ill take a pic of it in a second to show use what the connection looks like.

Also since the laptop is old and never gets used, i was thinking maybe use the screen in my install somewere, just for the sake of it, is there away to take the laptop apart and just use the screen as a screen? if that makes sence???

For DVD, I'd suggest picking up one of the slimline USB units off eBay. They are basically a laptop DVD drive inside a USB case, I've considered getting one but haven't felt it necessary. Might get one just to have it :P

For DVD, I'd suggest picking up one of the slimline USB units off eBay. They are basically a laptop DVD drive inside a USB case, I've considered getting one but haven't felt it necessary. Might get one just to have it :P

wow that was fast haha..
yeah thought id have to buy off ebay or the net somewere, i looked in harvey norman, domain and 3 computer shops and none had any slimline ones, one said they could order one in but it would be around $170. just thought id see if i could use the one from my old Laptop to save some cash, i cant find my camera so i cant get a pic of the connection :confused:

yeah its not really necessary for me either, as i have a dvd head unit but well just thought id get one for the sake of it hahaha. But eventually i want to change to a 2-DIN screen which means i will have to get rid of the DVD headunit, so if i get it now i wont have to worry bout it later.

with these ebay ones, they power off USB yeah? coz i bought a 4port USB hub today aswell, as my motherboard only has 2 USB ports, the HUB powers the portable HDD and holds the USB for the touch screen with no problems. and the spare USB on the mother board is used for the DATA cable for the HDD, do you think the HUB would be able to handle a DVD drive aswell?

Yeah they power off USB, that's the best bit about one of those. Means you can mount it in the dash, and all you need to do is run a dedicated USB cable and you're done.

The CDRW/DVD combo drives are cheaper, that's what I'm going to get when I get around to it, don't feel the premium for DVDRW is worth it since I'll barely play DVDs let alone burn them in the car. Could be cool though when friends say "ooooh can I get a copy of that video!....." (Top Gear or whatever, get your minds out of the gutter :P)

Yeah they power off USB, that's the best bit about one of those. Means you can mount it in the dash, and all you need to do is run a dedicated USB cable and you're done.

The CDRW/DVD combo drives are cheaper, that's what I'm going to get when I get around to it, don't feel the premium for DVDRW is worth it since I'll barely play DVDs let alone burn them in the car. Could be cool though when friends say "ooooh can I get a copy of that video!....." (Top Gear or whatever, get your minds out of the gutter :P)
It's always porn.

will it have a net connection so you can go wardriving? :D Then once everyone gets a car pc you can have a magna wardriving cruise ravaging ppl's bandwidth and getting them into thousands of dollars of debt coz they went over their allocated limit!

Yeah they power off USB, that's the best bit about one of those. Means you can mount it in the dash, and all you need to do is run a dedicated USB cable and you're done.

The CDRW/DVD combo drives are cheaper, that's what I'm going to get when I get around to it, don't feel the premium for DVDRW is worth it since I'll barely play DVDs let alone burn them in the car. Could be cool though when friends say "ooooh can I get a copy of that video!....." (Top Gear or whatever, get your minds out of the gutter :P)

yeah i already have a USB cable run into the glove box, so i can hook ipods and stuff upto it, ill just attach it to that, yeah those ebay ones seem like the way to go.

NOW does anyone know if its possible to disassemble my laptop and juust use the screen as a screen without the rest of the laptop? might aswell use it for something it just sits in my room collecting dust haha.

EDIT- Ive been looking on MP3Car.com and found out that i need a controller board that fits the screen or somthing.. it seems like a bit of a hassle, maybe not worth the effort?? seems rather complicated aswell.

ok so im going to make my old laptop into a carputer.. dont know wether i will use it in my car or give it dad for his car, or a mate or somthing, ill wait and see if it turns out better then my current one or not.

Specs-
1.8Ghz CPU
512mb RAM
30gig internal HDD (have 160 gig portable HDD)
15" Screen

So far i have disassembled the laptop and sussed out everything that i need to buy/do.
everthing seems to be simple enough, however its nothing like a normal PC.
the only issue im having is being able to extend the ribbon for the screen. ill have to go into a pc store and see if you can buy cables that fit the plugs. Also when a laptop is hooked up to an external screen using VGA do both screens display the image? for the life of me i cant remember if they do.
Here are some pics-
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/DSCF0237.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/DSCF0240.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m39/bleedinthrough123/DSCF0241.jpg

btw sorry about the crappy pics, my good camera broke have to use my old 4MP one.

are you going to gat a touchscreen Controller for it?

are you going to gat a touchscreen Controller for it?

By that do u mean those tounch screen kits that sit ontop of the screen to make it touch screen?
If thats what you mean, i might get one if the install turns out alrite, at the moment im just doing this coz i have it lying aroung and have WAY too much spare time on my hands haha.

Im not actually sure what im going to do with the screen yet. i have a 7" touch screen in the dash atm that i could just use.. im was thinking as the screen has things that allow it to pivet (when u open and close the laptop, u can see one in the 2nd pic) i could make it into a roof mount sreen, i have to fix my roof lining anywayz so could just take the time to install it on the roof, not sure how hard this would be but might be worth an attempt. Other then that i could just mount it in the boot somewere, just for show which in that case woudnt bother making it touch screen.

Dont think i will go as far as Bigs (prety sure it was him) who made a 15" screen fit in the dash, well his still doing it if im not mistaken.