Help! CarPC is having issues...

**phreak9i6** · 03-20-2006, 01:08 PM

sometimes after my car sits for a period of time (say 5+ hours) the system wont boot up right away. During the windows startup the system will just reboot and try to come up again, reboot. this will happen for 5-8 minutes and then boot up normally.

I've swapped in a new harddrive, new memory, reinstalled windowsxp. I'm really at a loss, could it be my power supply?

I'm running the 1.3ghz VIA mobo, 512mb Crucial ram, 200gb wd pata regular hd (not notebook). and powering a lilliput 7" touchscreen off a 90watt m1-atx dc-dc inverter. I also have a wireless usb keyboard and pharos360 gps unit on GPS.

Is my power supply underpowered? Any other ideas on what would cause this? Every once in a while the darn thing wont even turn on. ARGH! now if this sounds like a power supply/controller issue. what would everyone recomend for a replacement (with a shutdown controller)?

**RawsonDR** · 03-20-2006, 03:00 PM

I don't think it's power related, but anything's possible. The M1-ATX provides 2A on the 12V rail and the only major 12V devices you have are the hard drive and Lilliput, which should take less than 1A @ 12V a piece.

What is the temperature where you live? Maybe the computer needs to heat up before it boots successfully.

**Wiredwrx** · 03-20-2006, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by RawsonDR

What is the temperature where you live? Maybe the computer needs to heat up before it boots successfully.

Or cool down.

Heat, and extreme cold, can cause a multitude of computer problems. If REALLY cold, the HD might have issues spinning up, though I am unsure if it would cause continuous rebooting. If it is really HOT, then the PS you are using might have issues providing enough power. Power problems often times cause rebooting. Perhaps you have a fan in the computer case that runs even though the PC hasn't booted, and/or the AC/Heat finally hits your case and cools it down, and that is why it eventually boots up.

Michael

**phreak9i6** · 03-20-2006, 04:01 PM

It could be a temp issue, it has been significantly colder as of late (I live in northern California) in the mornings its around 40degrees. Is there anyway to warm up the HD or prevent these issues?

i also have a slimline dvd reader hooked up that i forgot to mention

**Wiredwrx** · 03-20-2006, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by phreak9i6

It could be a temp issue, it has been significantly colder as of late (I live in northern California) in the mornings its around 40degrees. Is there anyway to warm up the HD or prevent these issues?

i also have a slimline dvd reader hooked up that i forgot to mention

Where is you computer mounted, in the passenger compartment, or in the trunk.

If the trunk. that might be problematic. If in the passenger compartment, turn the heat on full blast on the feet setting, that should heat the computer up. Though, 40 Deg isn't all that low.

Michael

**phreak9i6** · 03-20-2006, 04:29 PM

The computer is mounted underneath the driver's seat, I'll try the heater thing. 40degrees is not that cold... but i'll also try parking in the garage and see if that makes a difference.

**DarquePervert** · 03-20-2006, 05:49 PM

It could very well be a power problem.
Your HDD is a 3.5" HDD, which means it draws off the 12v rail, as well as the motherboard and the Lilliput.
the M1ATX provides only 2A ont he 12v rail, and safe money would bet that you're overloading it.

**pip** · 03-20-2006, 06:01 PM

Remove your Lilliput from the opus and power it with a dedicated 12v supply from ratshack and you will probably have fewer issues

**phreak9i6** · 03-21-2006, 04:19 PM

well I am mwell i just finnished molding in a xenarc 7 tsv into my dash, so i'll power that off a seperate power supply. I also ordered the 160watt m2-atx because I ordered an audigy and a xmpcr.

I really think the psu is the issue, sometimes i can do a cpu intensive task and the system will reboot.

Odd stuff. Anyone want to buy my m1-atx?

**RedGTiVR6** · 03-21-2006, 04:56 PM

I was going to say - I have had absolutely 0 issues with my computer in temperatures on down to the low 20s as of late here in the north dallas area.

I really odn't think that low 40s would cause any kind of a problem, especially when inside a car. Sure, it may sit outside all night, but it's not the same temperature inside the car as it is outside, unless you have the windows open all night. It will be warmer in the car.

sounds more like a power issue.