After doing much delegation ive decided to bite the bullet and get my own carputer. Time to get rid of the Sanya that is currently there.

So far:
Sourced a 2.4 GHz P4 with 1gb ram, 40gb HDD (small i know but theres the option to add more). Chinese hacked version of XP pro however that was wiped with Ubuntu currently installed (assessing options) - $120
Looking at screens. Since space is an issue in the second gen a 7" is the biggest option. Looking at ebay - b-billion 7" Touch screen for $229


Plan:
Depending on its size and shape - will use the headrest mount to mount in the dash or else will mould it into the dash.
As well as that i will remount the head unit below the screen. In the space where the 12v socket and the electric mirror controls are. This (cheap) head unit will be used for radio and until amp is sourced to power the speakers. Also having a 4.5" display i can keep it for reversing camera etc...whatever comes to mind. Also will have the benefit of when being on longer trips i can use the HU for radio while driving and others can watch a movie through headphones. Of course will either install a shield or a secret 'police' trigger switch to disable the screen to prevent any fines.
Being a non smoker i dont require an ash tray so will mod that to contain the power mirror controls and some fundamental buttons for the carpc. The 12v plug will also go here or another location to be decided.
The PC Case itself is quite large so will be cut down, and hopefully mounted under the seat with some small case fans.
GPS Reciever, WIFI, and all those to come. Have a wireless broadband dongle so thats already an option...internet in 3 3G zones.

Any suggestions please let me know, still planning and open to ideas.
Particularly unsure about the OS to use. Went with a linux distro because its free but when i get the screen will need to play with the functionality.
Will post photos when the project happens (next couple of weeks)

i'm unsure on the actual car pc itself, but i wouldn't worry too much about a secret police button. If the cops pull you over, the headphones in people's ears will give it away rather than the screen. That and watching the screen from the passenger seat for more than a few minutes gets painful and anyone sitting in the back will either be squinting or struggling in some other way to see the screen. The headunit could still be useful but i honestly wouldn't bother with it, it's just more work and probably won't get used all that much.
That's just my 2c, you could have other ideas and you know what you want/need from this build so all the best

~twiggy~

Same way I built my screen in, just make sure you get the measurements of everything before you buy.

Thanks twiggy. i have thought about that. im not to concerned about the rear seat just yet - may install headrest or a fold down from the roof at a later stage. The theory behind using the headrest fitting for mounting is that it will enable me to take it out.
The screen i have ordered has a stand as well that can be used for the passenger or the back seat with enough cable.
Keeping the head unit allows me to not use the pc for short trips, and also saves on buying FM tuners and the like just yet...works out cheaper.

Still deciding on the front end software, looking at free ones. Can anyone recommend any?

Update 1:
Headunit moved, and power mirror switch rewired.

Touch screen monitor will be mounted abve HU and once both are in will tidy up with plasti bond and paint.
Ash tray to be modified to house buttons (yet to do)

Decision made to use XP (home) edition because of software and drivers. WIll allow me to run my USB HD TV tuner.
Road Runner (or Ride Runner) front end will be used. Finalising computer config and then building Underseat case.

whatever you do don't go vista, will make it run slow as all buggery :D

Look at TinyXP, will use ~400Mb of disk space and runs in ~60Mb RAM... Or you could use nlite and create your own cut down version of XP.. Just be careful what components and services you remove.

I am running XP off a 2Gb compact flash card, soon to be a 30Gb OCZ Vertex solid state drive.. 240Mb/s read speed FTW.

The unit is finally complete (well usable). So far the PC is running out of a shoebox in the backseat footwell. and the screen hasnt been permanently mounted yet. It is however up and running.
I ended up staying with XP Home and havent done any updates or anything. Theres no firewall or any antivirus software installed so once it has passed the bios the computer is up and running in a few seconds. In total takes less than 30 seconds to boot which is acceptable. I still want to do some bios tweaking because it takes longer than id like it to.
So far road runner is funtioning fine. Still need to configure everything. The GPS reciever arrived yesterday and bluetooth soon hopefully so i can start on that soon. Everything is running of a standard 40gb HDD which hasnt had any problems at all. Only problems ive had so far is when i had a CD playing the unit got a bit hot and not running smoothly but thats because ive been lazy and havent built the case or installed the extra fan.
My wireless internet dongle works great as well, can check email, read aussie magna and the works from the screen. Will sort out some keyboard soon too to save time compared to the on screen one.

Visible in the photos below is the setup working fine. The head unit isnt the best (SANYA or something which came with it when i bought it) has alright sound but i did manage to score myself a cheap amp which will be going in soon. Im thinking of keeping the head unit because it gives great radio reception has the ability to output its display on the bigger screen and allows simple integration of the mp3 or an ipod to the stereo. Also allows me to disable the pc or remove it and still have audio.
Visible on the photo of the head unit is the display that would normally appear on the mp3 player located beside the steering wheel on the docking station. What will be possible when finished is that videos can be played via the mp3 player and displayed on the HU and also displayed on the screen which will hopefully be removable for the back seat.

Not shown in the photos is the buttons set up where the ash tray used to be. Included is a switch for the PC power, for PC Reset, and a keyed switch for power to the computer from the battery. As well as this there are LEDs for: power to the unit, a light from the Power supply to see if the unit is on or not, and the HDD led.

lol, no joke thats the same screen I used as well, I have the whole lot here if you want it.... needs a repaint though, had some shrinkage.

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54082

thats cool! can i ask which screen you bought? thinking about doing something similar sometime at the end of the year, using a broken laptop i have :D

i used the one on ebay for sale by bbillion i think it is. cost about $230. it works fine sand cant really complain.

Next step is to get some peripherals working. I have finally recieved my bluetooth dongle and a gps reciever which i am yet to configure for calls and navigation. As well as that managed to get a 840W amp for $50 from a mate so will look at installing that.
Still tossing up where to install it. Underseat would be good for wire length, boot is good for space. So when i get the chance will try and make an underseat case for it.

If I can give you one piece of advise, add a fuse to the negative leg of the screen as well... if anything positive touches the case the screen is the path of least resistance.

thanks, will look into that. its currently running off the computer m2atx power supply but will wire it in via a relay and a cap with some other circuitry so that it too will stay on during cranks and doesnt draw from the pc supply.

been busy moving and organising uni but screen should be finished next week. the whole system is running really well, no complaints. kicks **** over a standard head unit and havent listened to radio for weeks - with over 5000 mp3s at my fingertips its great.

I've had my screen running off my M2-ATX for over a year and it really works perfectly. And my system never has an issue when starting the car, never had it turn off doing that.

yeah might have something to do with the cable. when i get around to installing it properly (aka remove it from the shoebox in the back seat) i will install a decent cable and sort it all out.
Got hold of another desktop yesterday which if it runs better i may consider using it instead. The keyboard has mp3 controls too so if i can hack the board and isolate them will install in (possibly) the steering wheel. Anyone got any ideas about what its like to run a cable and still allow free movement of the wheel.