Thread: Old laptop good for parting into mobile PC?

I can't get the search function to work for some reason, and this is my first post and I am as new as it gets to this sort of stuff. I am an audio nut, car freak, and I have a thing for wiring crazy stuff into cars. I've wired all kinds of lights, push button start, hacked my pioneer headunit to have a AUX in without the Ibus adaptor for Ipod(even though I slacked on the RCA connections so my right side keeps cutting in and out ).

I was thinking yesterday...I hate paying the crazy costs of ipod add-ons for cars, The charger alone costs like 40 bucks!?! I hate FM modulators(although I have a sirius smartbox type FM modulating system that intercepts the ant. signal and works fabulously). So I was thinking, Wouldnt it be cool to just use my USB charger for my computer, but there is no way for me to do that as far as I know. Then I thought, Hey...That site I found the IBUS AUX diagram was all about car PC's, How about that?

I've been very impressed with out clean and well thought my current set up has turned out to be considering I tought myself how to solder through trial and error and watching my dad hand build and wire HAM radio units when I was young. It also helps that I know the wiring in my car pretty damn well and can strip and reassemble my entire interior in 30 minutes . So I think I'm up for some what of a challenge.

I dont care to have a wicked powerful up-to-date crazy system. I just want a touchpad on the console, a screen, and a computer with usb ports mounted on in close access of the cpu.

I hate a old winbook laptop, nothing crazy 256, XP, fried harddrive, dead battery, cracked screen, fried power supply(needless to stay I just got a new laptop). Motherboard, processor, and everything else should be fine. Not to mention for a laptop of its age it has 4 USB's and firewire.

As I am unable to search, I figured I would introduce myself and my goals and see what you guy's imput is on what I have already to work with. Maybe post some threads with good newb. info or specific information on my question since I cant search?

This seems like a very cool forum, I've been a forum hopper for 6 or 7 years now and I've seen all different kinds and this one seems VERY mature and helpful even towards the newbs(which gets frustration sometimes we all know the feeling).


By the way I'm scott and Im located in the atlanta area and I drive a 1991 Honda prelude 2.1 SI ALB with 2x10" rockford subs, 1000W 2 channel crunch amp, Pioneer DEH3700MP headunit with Pioneer 260W 4-way 6.5" doors and Pioneer 150W 3-Way rear deck soon to be powered by a 60Wx4 amp to help clean up the weak headunit.

I can post pictures of the dash/console layout if needed for suggestions.