Thread: Xenarc issues

The motherboard I'm using is a Epia 800... And it's connected directly to the com port. I usually have the monitor off until it gets to the XP welcome screen as the screen turns white during the XP bootup screen.

My guess is an unrecognized refresh rate at that point. But I haven't tried leaving it on during the ENTIRE boot up process. Though, this isn't MUCH of an issue as I use STR for my boot ups, it's still a pain in the butt.

Well the problem is I do use powerstrip, and have the display set at a valid refresh rate. The Xenarc's picture is absolutely perfect. It recognizes the mode by default (though it reports 640x480), it's set at 840x480... I normally do not recieve an "unknown mode" msg by the Xenarc 80% of the time. But occasionally, at random, it will pop back to "unknown mode", though powerstrip makes no change in refresh rate, nor does the video card make no change in refresh rate/mode when tested with a normal monitor. I've narrowed the problem down simply to the Xenarc display.

Here's the piece.. All fiberglass/bondo... It was my first try at fiberglassing... blech...Originally in it's place was a cigarette lighter/ashtray and 6-disc cd changer.

Originally posted by Whaleboy
The motherboard I'm using is a Epia 800... And it's connected directly to the com port. I usually have the monitor off until it gets to the XP welcome screen as the screen turns white during the XP bootup screen.

My guess is an unrecognized refresh rate at that point. But I haven't tried leaving it on during the ENTIRE boot up process. Though, this isn't MUCH of an issue as I use STR for my boot ups, it's still a pain in the butt.

Well the problem is I do use powerstrip, and have the display set at a valid refresh rate. The Xenarc's picture is absolutely perfect. It recognizes the mode by default (though it reports 640x480), it's set at 840x480... I normally do not recieve an "unknown mode" msg by the Xenarc 80% of the time. But occasionally, at random, it will pop back to "unknown mode", though powerstrip makes no change in refresh rate, nor does the video card make no change in refresh rate/mode when tested with a normal monitor. I've narrowed the problem down simply to the Xenarc display.

Here's the piece.. All fiberglass/bondo... It was my first try at fiberglassing... blech...Originally in it's place was a cigarette lighter/ashtray and 6-disc cd changer.

hey man, i have a few questions...

1. did the xenac come with a remote? if so i t would greatly simplifiy my mods to it...

2. how is the viewing angle down there? it looks like it should be tilted up a bit?

3. when is IT coming out ?

Man, that is SWEEET looking! Nice job for you're first fiberglassing ever! How are you powering the Xenarc? Is it on a regulated PSU? That might be why it sometimes looses it's settings, a milliamp power spike or some such.


And yes! When is D-Forever coming out already?

sweet install!! Any more how to pics, problems in design etc!!

Originally posted by Whaleboy
The motherboard I'm using is a Epia 800... And it's connected directly to the com port. I usually have the monitor off until it gets to the XP welcome screen as the screen turns white during the XP bootup screen.

My guess is an unrecognized refresh rate at that point. But I haven't tried leaving it on during the ENTIRE boot up process. Though, this isn't MUCH of an issue as I use STR for my boot ups, it's still a pain in the butt.

Which video driver are you using? I had this problem on the DSCustoms 5.6" screen until I installed the updated Epia 800 video driver - now the entire boot process is perfect. Should be the same for you as we are both using TV rather than different device drivers.

Have a look at http://www.viavpsd.com/product/Downl...therboardId=21

C!

ok, gonna try to answer all the questions...

thanks for all the compliments!!

The xenarc doesn't come with a remote, it's purely just a VGA monitor.

The display is tilted up a bit, but not significantly so when the 2nd gear shift is thrown into HI/LO it doesn't bump the display. Viewing the picture from the seats looks great when the brightness/contrast settings actually work. So the viewing angle isn't bad at all (though it could be better), as long as it's from a decent distance.

The Xenarc is being ran off the DC-DC powersupply for the computer. However, I have noticed the display has a slight constant wavy pattern to it when it's in the car. This wasn't something that was present when I tested it on the system in the house. And it's still present even when the car isn't running. I haven't solved this problem yet, but it is pretty much only noticable when you get right next to the screen to look. Very minute.

I got the fiberglass so smooth by sanding sanding and more sanding. Any holes or pits I filled with bondo, then sanded some more. Then laid trim paint on top for an extremely durable finish. I haven't been able to scratch the paint off yet.

I don't have any pics, but I can sum up how I built it:

Originally that whole portion where you see that entire piece at housed an ashtray, lighter, and 6-disc cd changer. All of it surrounded by a plastic trim piece. I bought another trim piece, cut it up to make room for the display. Then, carved out a thin shape from polystyrene foam. I thin rigged it on top of the trim piece. From there I wrapped a cotton tshirt over both the shape and the trim piece. Then resined it. Once hardened, I melted the foam inside the piece (glued with the resin) with Acetone. Then fiberglassed the inside, and then poured some resin in it for additional strength (I could stand on this entire piece once it was done).

Afterwards, I cut the hole for the display, a little wider then the opening on the Xenarc's case for the LCD. Then I had taken apart the Xenarc case, and used Plastic Epoxy and glued the front of the case to the inside of the dash piece. From there, I added bondo to the gap between the Xenarc case, and the hole on the dash piece. Then came lots of fine sanding and Dremeling.. Added more resin to the back for strength, then sanded some more.. more bondo in pits, etc... more sanding.. Added high build primer, sanded some more! then painted with trim paint.. (forgot the name).

After, I simply screwed the Xenarc display back into the mounts left from the original Xenarc case, and viola! My new dash piece. That piece is totally removable, no screws, so when I go offroading I can remove it. It's held by those strong metal prongs, that the original trim piece used by the factory. It's withstood impossible speed bumps at high speed.. I put it thru its paces.

Gel coat won't make a finish smooth, sanding and high build primer+bondo will... Just gotta sand sand sand!

Other answers:

I could call Xenarc, but they'd probably just wanna replace it - but can't because I voided the warranty as I removed the display from its case.

I'm not using the onboard video with EPIA, but a Radeon 9200 or whatever thru the PCI, along with the Detonator drivers. I haven't detected a mode/refresh rate change in the card itself when plugged up to a normal monitor. It appears the xenarc is just deciding to change modes at random. I guess this is a problem only to my monitor - so looks like I'll probably have to buy a new one...

The whole touchscreen situation is quite frustrating also... Keeping the monitor on during reboot/bootup hasn't solved the problem either... argh!

Oh and Duke, will be out......when it's done! muhaha!