Thread: PC or Laptop?

Originally Posted by judderi

Like i say. Sorry if all this has been asked before, please point me in the right direction if so, please dont reply telling me to do a search.

But *IS* the right direction!

You even acknowledged the possibility that the question might have been asked before... maybe questions like that are asked ... frequently? maybe there's a place where questions that are asked frequently are consolidated? I wonder what such an emporium of frequently asked questions would be called if it existed? Do you realize that you SCROLLED RIGHT BY IT in order to get to this forum and ask your question?

Start here:
FAQ: What is Spoon Feeding

I knew i shouldent have bothered. Maybe i have read through as much FAQ's as possible but still have questions.

Originally Posted by judderi

I knew i shouldent have bothered. Maybe i have read through as much FAQ's as possible but still have questions.

Maybe you need to search more than just the FAQs... Not every bit of information is in the FAQ Emporium.
And don't be an *** about it. randomjohn was 100% correct.

1. Use a Standard pc i.e mini atx board or use an old laptop? I understand with a pc im best using an opus supply to power it. But if i use a laptop how will i power it and controll the startup/shutdown?

There's a number of ways to do this. The ideal way is to have a docking station and hack into the power control of the docking station. All you need to do is put laptop into dock, start up the car and go.
There are other methods, as well that have been successfully implemented

2. Say i want to install the pc in the boot/trunk but have a dvd rom drive up front. How do i power and connect the cables? i.e do i have to run a ribbon cable and power from the mb or opus supply from front to back?

The offiicial spec for IDE cables is 18". Some have used longer cables successfully. Most people go with USB2.0 or firewire for longer runs.

3. If i have 2 amps. 1x mono amp & 1x 4 channel amp am i best in using a 5.1 sound card with seperate feeds to the amp's? i.e sub out plus front and rear out channels.

You're better off just using 2.1 or only L/R into a crossover for subs in my opinion.

4. Also last but not least. How will i receive radio? Preferably digital radio? Are there usb devices out there for this sort of thing?

Get a radio receiver for the PC or keep uyour headunit. Keeping the headunit is the better option, as all the available options aren't designed for mobile use and tend to have **** reception. As far as I know there are no digital radio solutions available for the PC yet.

Even though you called me an *** thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my questions. I must say i find this forum very hostile. Im a moderator on another forum and even if people ask the same old questions we dont get mad and tell them to search all the time as everyone has got to start somewhere and were not all experts at 1st. Plus forums can often be a little confusing or overwhelming at 1st. But all that aside, again thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

Question: I was thinking of using the bare bones of a laptop and leaving it installed in the car. i.e mainboard stripped from shell. Thus i dont want the whole docking station removable option. Is there a way i can wire an opus into this sort of setup?

i would look at the carnetix then as that would give out 19v
more like what your lappy will need
and give you the best value for $
i would also keep the lappy charging system this will survive cranking

Have you got a web link to any info on that unit please?

http://www.carnetix.com

Thanks

Originally Posted by judderi

Even though you called me an *** thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my questions. I must say i find this forum very hostile. Im a moderator on another forum and even if people ask the same old questions we dont get mad and tell them to search all the time as everyone has got to start somewhere and were not all experts at 1st. Plus forums can often be a little confusing or overwhelming at 1st. But all that aside, again thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

Here's the deal:
These forums are a wealth of information. 90% (or more) of any questions that might pop into your head about putting a PC in your car have already been asked and answered, most of them many times over.
A newbie to these forums and/or hobby wants some information, they try to search the forums for that information. They'll end up with a lot of threads with the same thing over and over and over again. It makes finding that nugget of information that much more difficult, especially for someone who is new.

These forums are like a library. Would you go into a library, stand up on a table and ask a question about topic XYZ? Would you go to a librarian and tell tell her to give you every piece of information on XYZ? If you did what do you think would happen?
Someone would point you to the card catalog and/or electronic database so you can search for the information you need. The same principle applies here. Being able to locate information, research, make decisions and troubleshoot on your own is a necessary skill for this hobby. If you're not capable or unwilling to do any of those, you're going to have a long, hard road in front of you.

Nobody here is hostile. You did respond like an *** when you were told that you could search and find the answers to every question you had. He was right on the money, whether you like it or not. Far too often, n00bs equate honesty with hostility.

Question: I was thinking of using the bare bones of a laptop and leaving it installed in the car. i.e mainboard stripped from shell. Thus i dont want the whole docking station removable option. Is there a way i can wire an opus into this sort of setup?

Opus, no. Opus is designed for ATX-compliant motherboards. A laptop isn't going to be ATX.
Someone suggested a Carnetix model, and that is certainly a likely choice. They're available in the store here, as well.