[Birdog]

Howdy.

I`m bored so I`m gonna put a PC in the car !!!!
No idea why at the moment, probably for music, might connect it to the ecu.
Has anyone done this ?
Was looking at a DC inverter, 12V to 230VAC converter, but then the PSU in the PC converts from 230VAC to 12V, -12V, 5V and 3.something Volts DC.
So, I was trying to find a 12V PC PSU, anyone seen one anywhere ?
Or anyone know a good, ready made incar PC ? Windows XP kinda PC.
Did find this at Car Computer - head unit DVD - In-Car PC - Mini PC - Small format PC - G2 Digital , but I'm married and these look kinda expensive.

Any help is much appreciated

All the best

Birdog

[David_MCS]

Hey Birdog,

I've had an in car computer installed in my car for about 6months now. It uses a 12vDC input (straight from the battery, fused) to an In Car PC specific PSU.

Its a MINI-ITX motherboard, 1.2ghz, 1gb ram, wireless internet, digital freeview tv, bluetooth etc etc.

I use it mostly for music, dvd's, surfing the internet and watching tv as you can imagine

I've connected the Audio output on the motherboard to the AUX Input on the standard mini headunit (Boost).

Then setup the audio output for 5.1 surround sound using the car speakers, DVD's sound awsome with the surround sound effect

I also use a standalone screen situated just below the switches between the pillars.

If you need any help or wanna ask any questions i'd be more than welcome to help

-David

[LMB]

Any photo's?

[David_MCS]

Here's a picture of the screen while the em2 club mascot was choosing some music

http://www.essexmini2.co.uk/Pictures...!/DSC00809.JPG
I've got the complete build actually on my in car computer, so i'll start it up in a minute and upload a few..

-David

[LMB]

That looks awesome.

[Birdog]

You have what I want !!!!

was it a home made pc, or is there a place that sells them ?

I have found instructions on a DIY 12V psu but it doesn`t look all that stable, and I don`t want to blow anything up.

What was the name of your PSU, if its not any trouble, please ?

Like I said, I`m married so all spending on toys has to be approved, or I get moaned at for weeks afterwards....and it aint worth the hastle.

Is it a 7" lcd with vga ? or have you used a vga to S-vid converter ?

I was think about putting the screen in the exact same place, almost made to measure

Cheers very much

Birdog

p.s. my wife wants the monkey,

[David_MCS]

I PM'd you back with details to all your questions

P.S, we're getting t-shirts made for the monkey lol!

-David

[James]

dave i just lost some respect for you....Jojo?...really?

[David_MCS]

Quote: Originally Posted by Crammy (original)

dave i just lost some respect for you....Jojo?...really?

previous girlfriend lol..

-David

[David_MCS]

As promised a few pictures from the build , i'm posting from just putside my house in my MINI!

-David

[burns863]

I have been contemplating this idea for quite a while but never got round to doing anything about it!

Dave, where is your PC situated? do you keep it in the boot? Any chance you could PM me the info you haveon your system?

Got to say it looks impressive and fits great below the switches! Do you do anything to cover the screen when you park up (security measures etc) ?

[David_MCS]

.. few more

-David

[David_MCS]

Quote: Originally Posted by burns863 (original)

I have been contemplating this idea for quite a while but never got round to doing anything about it!

Dave, where is your PC situated? do you keep it in the boot? Any chance you could PM me the info you haveon your system?

Got to say it looks impressive and fits great below the switches! Do you do anything to cover the screen when you park up (security measures etc) ?

Hey burns,

PC is in the boot, the case is designed to look like an amp so it looks very much at home

The screen can be taken out in a few seconds as the cabling is run through one connector, so i always take it out with me!

I'll post a little more info about the the system, if you need any inparticular info just ask

Windows XP Service Pack 2
1.2 ghz VIA Processor (embedded)
1gb kingston ram
80gb harddrive
90w car psu (12vdc, 5 - 24v input) - can take a signal input like an amp to turn on/off
54g wireless usb adapter
DVB reciever (freeview tv)
bluetooth adapter (handsfree)

Anything you can do on a normal household pc you can do on this

-David

[Hummer2k1]

very nice but a mac instead would be better

[David_MCS]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hummer2k1 (original)

very nice but a mac instead would be better

Im not a mac fan sorry

Also the mac os wouldn't work on the car pc hardware, need something a little more.. universal

-David

[James]

thats some cool kit, i was thinking of doing something like this that updates my ipod wirelessly when my car is parked outside, if you don't mind how much roughly did it cost to put together?

[David_MCS]

Quote: Originally Posted by Crammy (original)

thats some cool kit, i was thinking of doing something like this that updates my ipod wirelessly when my car is parked outside, if you don't mind how much roughly did it cost to put together?

Pm'd

[Birdog]

The wee black VOOM Cases look awsome. pricing things up just now.
Then I just have to clear the expense with the missus.


Do you use a trackball at all ? or can you do everything through the touchscreen ?


Cheers

Birdog

[Birdog]

OUCH!!!

£456.56.

That`ll take some clearing with the missus.

Thats for the computer with 12v PSU and a touchscreen.

I`m not sure if this is going to happen.

Cheers for all you help.

Birdog

[Hummer2k1]

Quote: Originally Posted by David_MCS (original)

Im not a mac fan sorry

Also the mac os wouldn't work on the car pc hardware, need something a little more.. universal

-David

have you heard about the osx86 project?