Laptop DVD for carpc???

**hafizesh** · 02-20-2007, 08:40 AM

Hi Guys,

I bought a carpc (pick below...)

I wanted to add a DVD drive as well. What drives would go well. I was thinking a laptop DVD drive. If i get a laptop DVD drive, how would i or what cable would i have to use to connect it to the carpc..

PLZ.. any advice is appreciated...

Carpc spec..

Black VoomPC
Mii12000 Motherboard
512mb Kingston Ram
60gb 5400 2.5" HD
7" Lilliput 629 LCD
M2-ATX

Thank you

**Griff1** · 02-20-2007, 10:17 AM

Any Drive will do provided you have the correct adaptors.
My Pc is in a Zafira,its quite a long vehicle and i wanted the drive up front as its not much use in the boot.

First i brought the drive,a slot loading Dvd-rw unit,then i got myself an adaptor for the back of the drive that takes a regular IDE cable ( http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Laptop-Noteboo...QQcmdZViewItem )and then an IDE to USB convertor ( http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-to-IDE-ATA...QQcmdZViewItem ).

To finish it off i use a usb extension cable,job done.

**hafizesh** · 02-20-2007, 11:54 AM

Thanks Griff1,

I went and bought those items off of ebay.
The only think i have a problem is the ide to usb converter uses power. what would i do for that. Do i have to use in inverter for that

any help is appreciated..

**guizai** · 02-20-2007, 12:10 PM

you can wire that into your PSU supply. Confirm the voltage needed and tap into the corresponding MOLEX wire. That way it gets power when the carputer is on and turns off when it's powered down. You also get the benefit that the power from the molex wires is regulated.

**Griff1** · 02-20-2007, 12:36 PM

Yeah that's how i did it,just run a molex connector down to the front,you only need the 5volt for a lappy drive..
There is another way though,Opus the guys who make Psu's also sell device Psu's too.
I think they're about £25.

http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetai...Code=PWR%2D022

**hafizesh** · 02-20-2007, 01:12 PM

I have a M2-ATX power supply. DOes that come with a MOLEX wire? If not, where can i get a MOLEX connector?

thanks for all your help

**Griff1** · 02-20-2007, 03:23 PM

A MOLEX connector is the regular 4 pin connector you would plug into a regular CD/DVD or hard disk.
I've got an M2 also,it comes with 2 Molex and a small connector for a floppy drive,just use a splitter or cut the floppy connector and send power to the back of your case.Mount a clip in cable box like you see on the back of Hi-Fi speakers and plug in the wires you need and send em down front.

**esachs** · 02-26-2007, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Griff1

A MOLEX connector is the regular 4 pin connector you would plug into a regular CD/DVD or hard disk.
I've got an M2 also,it comes with 2 Molex and a small connector for a floppy drive,just use a splitter or cut the floppy connector and send power to the back of your case.Mount a clip in cable box like you see on the back of Hi-Fi speakers and plug in the wires you need and send em down front.

thats a great idea i didnt even think of that. Me and my dad just built a power supply using 2 voltage regulators and I'm going to use it to power my dvd drive and usb hub.

**Griff1** · 02-27-2007, 03:22 AM

My method's not too fancy but its something you never see so its no big deal.

A word of advice,don't forget to check the output polarity of your USB hub,i stupidly cut the plug off the mains adaptor for mine before i checked it,there was a 50/50 chance i'd cock it up and i did!

I wired it up to the outputs you see in the picture and blew the touchscreen part of my Lilliput.

I wasn't aware usb devices were fussy about polarity but there you go.

**DavC** · 02-27-2007, 03:35 AM

Griff, I like your method, never thought about doing that.

I used a standard ISO car stereo plug for all the power requirements on mine since it has 8 connections, so 3 into the PC (+ive, Ign & Gnd) and 4 out (amp remote, regulated 5v, 12v, and ground) and a spare one

makes it easier for setting up in the car/house.