Thread: E46 - CarPC Work Log

Originally Posted by Crinos

I got my Intel X-25m yesterday and did a complete install of Windows Embedded 7 64-bit, with standard "application friendly" install build. (5Gb install)
When install was complete, I booted the thing several times, and the average where this.

Something I think is fairly nice without any tweaking in BIOS or OS at all!

BTW: In windows own "benchmark" the disk got 7,5 out of 7,9 in score.
Its FAST!

I did a check during the weekend with two types of ubuntu installs and XBMC as "frontend".

The minimal (10Mb or so, startup install) of Ubuntu with XBMC used 31 seconds before it where ready.

Standard "desktop" install of ubuntu (did not remove any unnesesary pacages) used 37 seconds before it where ready.

So, Windows 7 Embeded is a FAST booter

NB: I do not own a copy of Windows XP anymore, or atleast, I cannot find it So I have not XP times to show to.

All times is completely untweaked. So there should be room for improvements.

EDIT:
NB: All boot times is cold boot. No sleep/hibernate.

Hi all,

Great thread

I'm planning of doing a project for my e46 (I have a wide cassette shell with electrics), where would I be able to get the eject PCB?

Thanks

Well, I can build one for you when I get the time... But building just one will be very expencive. Hopefully there are others that will be interested once it has been proven to work. A great complement is the button interface. With that I think it might even be possible to fit a pico ITX or alike inside the BM.... Pictures will come, I am just in the process of finishing the button interface.

Thanks for the reply.

I'm hoping to do exactly that mate, (use an itx pico), but I'm hoping to use a full size screen (no buttons) and fill the hole with a touch lcd.

The OEM shell is a good size and hopfully I can fit it all in, I like the idea of using the tilt/opening mechanism and a slot (USB) dvd reader.

Your eject board looks perfect for the job (I assume you done need the OEM motherboard in situ)?

Keep up the good work and well done so far it looks agreat project

The eject/dash pcb will be perfect. Especially next version that will have a FET for power off, and an analogue switch for pc on button :-) No relays.

BO,
I've been following your project's progress here and been reading through your website. Great Work. I've also been reading a few other threads that you and Art have been collaborating on and reading his web-site.

I have my own vision for my project:
I bought a dead tape-bordmonitor and envision a 7" lilliput touchscreen, a slot-load DVD drive using your electronics to drive it all. I noticed that you had mentioned a few things about the tape-bordmonitor and received one with water damage but couldn't convert it because it was ruined. You initially started with a CD bordmonitor, correct?

<edit - I forgot to mention that this is for an e39 540it without DSP.>

If so, have you attempted anything more with a tape bordmonitor? If not, are there any significant differences you can see that would make your current board require any changes (aside from the obvious sheet metal cutting requried)? Is there any reason you can imagine that both your drive board and his button electronics couldn't work together?

Those questions aside, I am potentially interested in purchasing one of these from you. Do you have one available?

Art,
If you're reading this too, I am also interested in your button/ibus circuit and any ideas you have with respect to incorporating these two designs. If either of you gentlemen would care to PM me, I would appreciate it greatly.

Keep up the great work both of you. You're an inspiration to the rest of us reading these forums!

Sorry, I did not see this until now.

Originally Posted by panzerwagon

BO,
I have my own vision for my project:
I bought a dead tape-bordmonitor and envision a 7" lilliput touchscreen, a slot-load DVD drive using your electronics to drive it all. I noticed that you had mentioned a few things about the tape-bordmonitor and received one with water damage but couldn't convert it because it was ruined. You initially started with a CD bordmonitor, correct?

I have worked with one E46 CD unit, one E46 Tape unit, and one E39 tape unit.

The last one is difficult as the house is so narrow you will not be able to fit a slot-in DVD without saw as you've noticed. I unsuccessfully tried to find out if there is room in the dash to fit a wide E39, converted in that way.... Let me know if you investigate this on your car.

Originally Posted by panzerwagon

Is there any reason you can imagine that both your drive board and his button electronics couldn't work together?

No reason at all. Note. On my latest button interface I simulate the buttons that was on the LCD panel originally before I took it apart to place in the BM. I think this is a great feature, that you might want to take up with Art.

I do not have any boards available at the moment, sorry. I will finish the boards I have for people that has been waiting too long already.

Well, I do not have to tell you guys that sometime things take longer than expected.

I am finally happy with my BM! Apart from 35mA in standby that is a little bit to much to my liking. But it should be ok.

I have removed the BMW electronics apart from the motors, buttons and sensors. Block diagram looks like this:



Here are some pictures



This is the LCD monitor main board that has replaced the original BMW main board. Behind the house you can see the DVD and the dash pcb.



Above on top of the DVD is the Dash pcb
- Controls DC motor for door, with tilt function. "CD in slot" detector, sensor input from BMW part giving door position with potentiometer.
- Will eject DVD when door is open by activating analogue switch connected to USB DVD physical eject button.
- Controls LED backlight of LCD Panel according to dash illum ibus message, or from PC.
- Controls "power amp remote on", "pc on" relay.
- Has logic for turning on and off PC etc according to ibus events like "ignition on", "car unlock" etc.




Above is Button interface
- sends button events onto ibus
- will controll button backlight and signal LED brightness according to dash illum ibus message
- simulates the buttons and joystick with DAC, so that I can from PC send commands to press
<MODE>, <POWER>, <SELECT> etc that was on the original Hiinfo monitor I scraped for
parts.


I also have a Video to illustrate the more smart features of the dash pcb code.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiIsAehjidg[/media]

Edit:
I forgot to demo the button and joystick simulation. On video it works with a PC application receiving button events and sending the simulation command. This will be a skin in my front end. Most important thing is to be able to simulate power-on...

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHBuNnO6hM8[/media]

Very very good job.