Centrafuse + Mac Mini + Win7 =?

**Lachie** · 03-01-2010, 02:11 AM

Long time reader first time poster. I wasn't sure if this should be in MacCar or Centrafuse sub-forums. Owell.

First of all, YES i did search, but I wasn't happy with and/or didn't understand the information I found.

Ok so iv finished my mac mini install. Mac is in, Fab is done, Electrical is done. All i need is a front end. I always figured that by the time I had finished my install someone would have made a good OS X FE. Alas my hopes were futile. I am bitterly disappointed with all the current os x front ends.

Enter Centrafuse. Its awesome! Except I have just one problem.... I have a mac (early 09 mini).

Oh wait, before i get to far into this, I have grown up with macs. I am a Windows N00B, So please, laymans terms only

. Mac-wise, I consider myself pretty switched on. I can use msn and basic stuff on Windoze, but I have no idea where the control panel is for example.

I want to Know what my options are. I can easily obtain a copy of Windows 7 (shiver). Im thinking Bootcamp + Win7 + Centrafuse. But i have a few questions.

How well does Win7 and Centrafuse integrate with the mac mini and Carnetix P1900? As in will it start up/shut down and Sleep as it would with my mini? Or is it a PITA?
What are the "Boot" and "wake from sleep" times like? And what can i do about them?
Can I boot straight into CF or do i have to f*** around with windows?
Can I use my Griffen Radio shark 2 with CF? Like wise with my BU-353 GPS Receiver.
Can I Use my Behringer UCA 222 to output sound to my amps?
Will CF do Phonecalls with my iPhone 3GS?
What maps will i need for Australian GPS Navigation?
What other problems am I likely to face with a set-up like this?

My Hardware is as follows:

Early 09 Mac Mini 2.0ghz C2D (4Gb Ram, 500Gb HD etc)
Behringer UCA 222 sound card
Griffen Radio shark 2
BU-353 GPS Receiver
Logitec 4way USB Hub
External Optical Drive
Carnetix P1900
Carnetix MacPac
Lilliput 09 629 LED TS

Whats are your general thought on this setup? Will it ever work the way i want. Also add any information that may be useful.

Thanks a billion

**Bugbyte** · 03-01-2010, 08:45 AM

Here's how it works - you can set it up to boot Windows and you can set up Windows to boot CF. Done.

The only question will be whether or not the sound card or unusual peripherals will work under Bootcamp. In general, the answer is -if they work in Windows they usually work in Bootcamp running Windows.

The system will startup and shutdown with the P1900 as you desire.

Essentially, what you will have is a Windows system. All solutions and configurations after setting up Bootcamp for Windows can be found in Windows forums.

**justchat_1** · 03-01-2010, 09:52 AM

If your running a carPC FE full screen why do you care what OS is underneath it?

**Lachie** · 03-02-2010, 07:11 AM

Thanks BugByte. CF supports my GPS receiver and the sound card has ASIO drivers. so they should be ok. However im still concerned about the Radio Shark 2... I cant seem to get a straight answer out of anyone.

Well I care because the OS determines what Front End I can run.... And all the OS X Front Ends pretty much suck....

Whats a Better option for Car PCs of this Nature, Win7 or XP?

**Machinehead** · 03-02-2010, 10:14 AM

I am currently running a setup in the manner that you're considering. It's has it's pluses and minuses, as you'll see.

Originally Posted by Lachie

How well does Win7 and Centrafuse integrate with the mac mini and Carnetix P1900? As in will it start up/shut down and Sleep as it would with my mini? Or is it a PITA?
The Carnetix will work fine as long as it's all wired and jumpered correctly. Then you just have to set the power button options in Windows so when you shut your vehicle off it either suspends, hibernates or shuts down.
What are the "Boot" and "wake from sleep" times like? And what can i do about them?
Without any optimizing, you're probably looking at 60 second cold boots, 30 or so second hibernation resumes and maybe 5 to 10 second wakeups from suspend. There are some optimization methods to shorten those times but the Mini is very slow to boot.
Can I boot straight into CF or do i have to f*** around with windows?
There are multiple options to go right to CF rather than to the Windows desktop.
Can I use my Griffen Radio shark 2 with CF? Like wise with my BU-353 GPS Receiver.
I can't speak to if the radio shark works, but if it has a Windows driver it should work. The BU-353 works fine.
Can I Use my Behringer UCA 222 to output sound to my amps?
Again as long as it has Windows drivers ti will work.
Will CF do Phonecalls with my iPhone 3GS?
No clue, I would check the fluxmedia forums.
What maps will i need for Australian GPS Navigation?
There's a version of CF you can buy that has the Aussie maps.
What other problems am I likely to face with a set-up like this?
Obviously not being comfortable with Windows is an issue.

Originally Posted by Lachie

Whats a Better option for Car PCs of this Nature, Win7 or XP?

I'm still running XP on my setup. No real motivation to reload as Win7. Either should work fine.

**dhantiflag** · 03-10-2010, 11:36 AM

i run win7 on my mac mini and everything runs very smooth, CF runs great i have had no problems.. i have the p2140 i think from carnetix same thing with 5v on it and it works great and was easy to setup... the only issue i have now as i seemed to have fried or done something to my PSU as it only outputs 7v but mp3car offered to fix it for me so i just have to ship it in

**Punky** · 03-10-2010, 11:48 AM

Don't get my wrong, because i'm a die hard mac fan, but why buy a mac to put windows FE on? for the price there's many other nice choices. the only nice thing about the mac mini is the small size.

**dhantiflag** · 03-10-2010, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by Punky

Don't get my wrong, because i'm a die hard mac fan, but why buy a mac to put windows FE on? for the price there's many other nice choices. the only nice thing about the mac mini is the small size.

i bought this because the size was 100% perfect for the location of where i was placing the mini... i have never regreted buying the mini... i had 3 other systems b4 this and this has not only been 1 of the best performers for the $$ but also best in size

**Punky** · 03-10-2010, 03:39 PM

Mac bios isn't designed for windows bootup, so its kinda slow in my opinion (running bootcamp).
anyway, i don't think you'll have any issue using it as a PC, but check out ICE3 in the mac section, it'll make you think twice about windows FE. Its still underdevelopment, but its freaking awesome.

**Machinehead** · 03-11-2010, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by Punky

Don't get my wrong, because i'm a die hard mac fan, but why buy a mac to put windows FE on? for the price there's many other nice choices. the only nice thing about the mac mini is the small size.

In my case, the system was ideally sized for my needs. Nettops or other compact systems that you can buy now weren't available. If I was to redo my system today, I wouldn't go with a Mac Mini.

Originally Posted by Punky

Mac bios isn't designed for windows bootup, so its kinda slow in my opinion (running bootcamp). anyway, i don't think you'll have any issue using it as a PC, but check out ICE3 in the mac section, it'll make you think twice about windows FE. Its still underdevelopment, but its freaking awesome.

I agree it is a bit slow, but an OSX bootup isn't any faster. There's no sirius satellite radio support in any of the OSX based FEs, so ICE3 isn't a functional option for me.