Linux on an XBOX for CarPC

**PURDooM** · 05-10-2006, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by oldskoolvwlover

but who really uses GPS unless you drive A LOT in places you don't know.

Me. You don't know how many times GPS has saved my neck trying to navigate around minneapolis.

**will1384** · 05-10-2006, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by PURDooM

Me. You don't know how many times GPS has saved my neck trying to navigate around minneapolis.

oh yea - every one I know is about 100miles away -
and the nearest big city is 30min or more away

I end up spending lots of time in my car - and GPS does
come in handy

Originally Posted by oldskoolvwlover

Like I said the concept is for a SHOW CAR.... not so that people think I am cool sitting in a Gas Station. It is about what you want, like I said a lot of people put PC's in their cars for daily use on these forums.... not everyone is looking for that. Some people may want to be able to listen to music, watch movies, and play some games. The GPS would be "cool" to have, but who really uses GPS unless you drive A LOT in places you don't know.

I would like GPS for the function of installing it and having the experience, for use I would get more use outta the XBOX than I ever would out of most of the Carputers people on here are running.

From what I have seen some people on here put PCs in their car because they like PC's (this seams to be where you are at). Then there are people like me who like cars and think it would be "cool" to add some extra unneeded stuff to the car. For me it's driving a couple hours to a show or GTG and then having an xbox game to play while your dicking around waiting for everyone else to show up (because your crew rolled in 2 hours before EVERYONE else).

Like I said it's all about what the person wants.... not doing this at all so that people will think I am "cool." I don't build cars that way, I build cars the way I like em because I like the style.

the computer in my car - to me - is more of a utility or part
of the car -

I think what I am trying to say - is that an XBOX in you car
would not be seen as a car computer - per-say
it would be just a video game console in you car

it is an computer - and is in a car - but its limited

it would be like saying that a head unit is a car computer
or you digital watch is - just because its in you car with you

if its for a show car - then its to show off - ant nothing
wrong with that - but its the same as trying to be cool

Originally Posted by Xynergy

Has anyone looked at www.xbox-scene.com for loading Linux on an xbox then using that as a car pc. However, the only video support is the high def pack or composite...The set-up is pretty compact and has 4 built in USB ports... Let me know what you all think.

this was what the topic was about - as it stands the xbox would make
a bad car computer -

It would make a good video,music and video game player for you car
- But if you dont need xbox games than a computer would be better,
cheaper, faster and able to do more

and if you dont need xbox games or computer stuff - they make
media playes that use a hard disk, some have VGA out - and there
are some of them are smaller than a paper back book - most have
remotes - and a easy to use on screen GUI, even if its a little ugly

**XeviaN** · 05-12-2006, 07:39 PM

Hi, i've just finished my "mod", after about 3 months of freetime work

The plan was simple: made the cheapest carputer, not focused on gps use 'cause i'm very happy with my stupid nokia 6600 and route '66, ehm

- modded xbox: 100€
- no touchscreen 7" LCD 16:9, pal/ntsc input with tv tuner (cool...) and remote: 100€
- gained antenna 30db: 25€
- 60 gb 2"1/5 hdd: hmm... maybe 60€...
- ir remote: 10€
- inverter 150w: 25€
- other (home material)
Total: 320€ (not so cheap, but cool...).

Xbox details:
*Hardware*
- rebuilt plexiglass mini case (230x210x55mm)
- hdd led
- 4 usb ports
- 2 joypad ports
- mini keyboard
- wireless mini optical mouse
- optimized airflow with 3 fans and frontal grid
- 2"1/2 hdd
- ir remote
*Software*
- xbox mediacenter (i think the best media center ever)
-- notepad
-- games
-- mp3
-- mods
-- divx
-- photos
-- every possible media file...
- games
- emulators
- xebian linux
-- to be configured: first thing to do is to find a wireless usb net card and use it to read emails when around the world. Second thing is to wait tomtom for porting their software to linux...

Not bad at all.
In the next days i will put the photos online.

See you.

P.S: I know, a pc is surely better. Next car...

**S2K12** · 05-13-2006, 07:22 AM

ihavent read many posts so i dont know if this was already said, ut have u heard of xbox media center? google it, its a media center software for the xbox.

**rando** · 05-13-2006, 10:45 AM

Simple solution to get full carpc functionality and xbox games -- install both! Total extra cost (compared to carpc alone), ~$100 for a used xbox.

**SnyperBob** · 05-13-2006, 12:06 PM

Rofl - some of these comments here are funny. Basically, an XBox is worthless if you want it as a carputer. For playing games and looking cool at high school car meets - the XBox might be sw33t.

When you talk about size, a desktop mobo with PCI cards.... won't save you any space, even if you remote mount the DVD drive from the desktop. I am sure you have seen the custom mini xbox cases, these are much smaller than any mobo w/ pci cards sticking out off of it.

Spoken from someone that most likely doesn't have a carputer. I'm not sure where you're going with this comment. You talk about 'desktop size' mobos, and then say how a 'mini' xbox case is so much smaller. Apples to oranges. How about comparing a mini xbox case to a 'modern' carpc system - about 6"x9"x2.5".

....this would probably get more use in my car than a touch screen and gps.

Like I said the concept is for a SHOW CAR....

...and as far as car show cool factor....the xbox seams to be the easier options.

How would a 10 year old console system be cooler in a car than a carpc? Once you have a touchscreen in your car, believe us, you'll never go without one. Who wants to play around with controllers just to change a song. I guess I don't understand how showing off old technology could possibly be cool at a car show.

As for the GPS - heh. I guess if you don't get out much, or travel you wouldn't need it. But then again, there's 10 other uses for the GPS receiver in a car....

Overall, an XBox is just a waste of time. As soon as you get one, you want to mod it because stock they suck. Once you mod it, you try to compare it or make it into a carputer.....then realize its crap. So severly limited. And if you don't know much about Linux to begin with - you'll have a hard enough time trying to add more features and stuff. If you're going to waste a couple hundred bucks, spend it on an old laptop.

I suppose an XBox is cool in a car based on what you're looking for. As a general rule of thumb, I always suggest that you plan your system to allow for modulated upgrades. With an XBox, your only upgrade would be to get an actual Carputer. But, if you're on a tight budget, I'd rather save the money than spend it on old technology that can't do more than play music, dvds, and (some) games.

So far, everyone that has owned both a carputer and XBox is telling you to go the route of the Carpc. Even some of those that don't have a carpc yet...

P.S: I know, a pc is surely better. Next car...

good luck on your decision

**CdRsKuLL** · 05-13-2006, 01:12 PM

I have just about got all the bits I need now to put a xbox into the car... ok this is what i've planned

1. Flashed xbox with modified bios so it runs without the DVD rom and from a 2 1/2 laptop harddrive.
2. XBMC (latest version) installed.
3. This will be linked to my carpc via a x-over network cable, which will allow the xbox to see all the mp3's / movies etc on my PC.
4. I just got a joytech xbox little inverter for now, but I will be building my own atx compatable psu from a M1 I think.
5. On powering the xbox it will charge a relay which will flick the rear screens over to the xbox. The power button will be extended into my ashtray up front.
6. I will be able to control XBMC from the carpc using the http web browser that comes with xbmc.
7. The xbox will be mapped to two headphones and also to the line on on my carpc, thus enabling me to either play the sound through my car amp or just the head phones at the back.
I will moat likely be using wired controllers as changing batterys can become a pain.. but will have to see.. these will be kept in the arm rest in the rear seat.

This is planned for install over the next few weeks.. all the modding has been done and i'm happy with it so far.

CdR

**sama** · 05-13-2006, 01:19 PM

interesting setup cdr. how usalbe is xbmc over http?

**avengerki** · 05-13-2006, 03:10 PM

Cool cdr. That sounds like what I was thinking of doing in my little car for my kids.

**oldskoolvwlover** · 05-14-2006, 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by SnyperBob

Rofl - some of these comments here are funny. Basically, an XBox is worthless if you want it as a carputer. For playing games and looking cool at high school car meets - the XBox might be sw33t.

Spoken from someone that most likely doesn't have a carputer. I'm not sure where you're going with this comment. You talk about 'desktop size' mobos, and then say how a 'mini' xbox case is so much smaller. Apples to oranges. How about comparing a mini xbox case to a 'modern' carpc system - about 6"x9"x2.5".

How would a 10 year old console system be cooler in a car than a carpc? Once you have a touchscreen in your car, believe us, you'll never go without one. Who wants to play around with controllers just to change a song. I guess I don't understand how showing off old technology could possibly be cool at a car show.

As for the GPS - heh. I guess if you don't get out much, or travel you wouldn't need it. But then again, there's 10 other uses for the GPS receiver in a car....

Overall, an XBox is just a waste of time. As soon as you get one, you want to mod it because stock they suck. Once you mod it, you try to compare it or make it into a carputer.....then realize its crap. So severly limited. And if you don't know much about Linux to begin with - you'll have a hard enough time trying to add more features and stuff. If you're going to waste a couple hundred bucks, spend it on an old laptop.

I suppose an XBox is cool in a car based on what you're looking for. As a general rule of thumb, I always suggest that you plan your system to allow for modulated upgrades. With an XBox, your only upgrade would be to get an actual Carputer. But, if you're on a tight budget, I'd rather save the money than spend it on old technology that can't do more than play music, dvds, and (some) games.

So far, everyone that has owned both a carputer and XBox is telling you to go the route of the Carpc. Even some of those that don't have a carpc yet...

good luck on your decision

dude..... read the whole thread before you respond. The whole comparison of the XBOX mini case to the desktop, was in response to someone comparing cost of buying an old 700mhz desktop and using it as a car PC. Seriously man READ the whole damn thing.

As far as car shows..... I am sure you know your ****, after all you do drive a freakin Ford Aspire.

When I decide an Aspire is a car worth putting anything in I will go ahead and send you a PM to see what you think of my setup.

In the end, like I said read the whole thread..... for someone that has an XBOX and wants an in car media center (READ: not GPS). The XBOX is a cheaper option. The choice is up to the original poster (yeah way back 3 pages ago now, read em all when you want to respond to the topic) about how he wants to use WHATEVER he is installing in his car.

I do find it funny how most people responding here aren't even running Linux..... let's hit that one up next. How many of you are even running Linux since clearly you all want the poster to buy a mini pc and run windows. Of course your only goal is to trash a "10 year old system" ohhh wait it's not 10 years old.... oldest box is what, maybe 5 years old (I know still outdated but not quite 10 years yet). BTW your car is almost 10 years old.... better get a newer one.