Alright yall, after so much research and planning, I am 90% done with my carpc.

specs:
Memory: 1GB PC2100/DDR266 RAM
Operating System: xp professional
Power Supply: m2-atx
Software: road runner with system error skin
Mainboard: EPIA SP13000 1.3Ghz
Hard Disk / Flash: 2.5" 60GB Fujitsu 5400rpm
gps: Iguidance

I got pics and video

















video
http://media.putfile.com/car-pc-video

Let me know wat yall think

 

Really nice. How much is this project costing you? Pionner is taking out a new DD GPS/DVD player less the internet. So if this is cheaper i might consider doing this.

 

the whole project cost me around $1500 which includes all the tools for fabricating. But depending on how power you want the pc to be, you can get it a lot cheaper.
cost break down
pc - $575
screen- $270
power supply- $80
xp -$132
gps software $100
gps receiver $50

 

I know theres probably a million posts about the answer to these questions but ill ask anyways.

Since it's technically a pc, and the power supply runs off the car, would it be bad to turn the car on and off frequently, say like if your just stopping by to pick up something or you need to turn on your car to check the lights or something.

Also I was wondering how bad the boot up time is since, again, its technically a computer inside your car as your mobille entertainment system. Does it take a few seconds or does it have to go through a whole boot up process like a desktop computer normally would?

How is the connectivity for the internet? Is it like wifi like a laptop where you have to be in a hot spot or something to get it and would the weather part be affected to since thats usually apart of an internet system. And the gps software, is it satelite fed or just pre-installed software with random monthly updates?

Btw, where is your cd/dvd drive? Wouldn't you want that somewhere accessible? Oh and something that would be cool would be a USB slot somewhere in the front where you can just plug up or something whenever you got some new stuff.

Sorry for all the questions. Only reason im askin all this is because your setup is FRIGGIN NICE and I would definately want to do this if I knew more about it.

 

Sweet setup there. Vid isn't working though for some reason.

Now my questions...

1) What screen is that? Xenarc?

2) What resolution you running at?

3) Can you please post some picks of the system install itself.

 

can you write more about your specs, such as screen brand/model gps, where your stuff is mounted, how you made it all work, screen size, etc.

 

also, hows the gps. Im trying to decide between that and the microsoft streets and trips gps.

 

are you using an amp for your audio stuff? which one.

 

nice job!

 

lol, thanks. I knew there will be questions.

power supply
I am using the m2-atx power supply, which pretty much shuts the pc down properly each time you turn off the ignition. I basically have my pc set to hibernate so each time i turn the car on/off the pc goes resumes form hibernate/goes to hibernate. but to answer you question, there is no wear and tear on the pc for frequent on/off

boot times
from initial startup, my boot time is about 50 seconds. but with hibernate i shaved off about 25 secs. so buy the time i back my car from the garage, the car pc is ready to go. with more research, i am sure i can shave off some more seconds but i am pretty happy with the 25 sec start up.

internet
for right now, i'll be using a wireless usb wifi and i'll only be able to use it hotspots. i also have a bluetooth phone which i will integrate later. that can also give me internet connection although the connection will suck. i have being thinking about using the verizon wireless broadband but its too expensive for the internet usage.

weather
for the weather, i can always upload the info every morning before leaving the house. but for real time, i would need constant internet access

gps
the gps is pre install with update request. like any other gps software, it feels off a gps reciever and the locking is pretty good.

cd/dvd drive
there is a reason for having said 90% done. I have a laptop slot drive slim dvd usb. i am waiting to connect it right above the cigarette lighter as i get more time. i'll also put an external usb port below the cd/dvd drive

hope dat answers some of ur questions. let me know if u have anymore

 

thanks,
the video is about 23 mb, pretty big. might take some time.
the screen is a lilliput 629, i think. the resolution i am running it is 848x480.
right now i got wires all over the place from the install. once i get that cleaned up a bit, i'll post pictures

 

all i gotta say is dont waste ur $40 on microsoft street and trips. i have both. microsoft does not even auto reroute and its not user friendly in terms of using it as a touch screen. Iguidance so have has being excellent. maps are pretty up to date and accurate

 

once i get time,i'll write up some thing

 

That is REALLY sweet man! What software it used to make those menus...??? I have not seen anything like it! I love it! I think I am going to attempt the same thing

 

sweet monitor, nice job!

 

i have a sony cd receiver that i have a the back of the screen at the moment. I'll reroute it to the clove compartment. connection from the pc to the cd is a rca connection you can get from radioshark. the receiver must have a aux input. The sound quality especially with the reciever is execellent

 

thanks guys.
the front end software that i used is from Road runner which you can get from
http://www.mp3car.com

here is the actual link
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=72.
they got all the tutorial for making your own skin

 

all props go to you man i love it...i would love to do the same thing with mine...but i dont even know where to begin....i can get computer parts and stuff for cheap from a friend but i dont even know what i need i've got a tv...but i dont wanna get ride of it i because its not liliput or doesnt have the right connections....but if theres a way to do it without lemme know man

 

go to www.mp3car.com and begin lurking. you will figure out where to stat very quick! its alot easier than one may think to build one!!

 

How hard was it to hook up the power supply to the battery and what not?