new and need some answers

**bman365** · 05-17-2007, 09:59 AM

well i just bought a hp e-pc e-vectra c10..mainly bought it for the size of the case, but it came with all the internal stuff except the HD. I really dont know if what i have is good or not. Planned on taking everything out..and buying upgraded faster/better stuff. I couldnt really tell you anything about the parts of a computer, i just know how to use one. So thats why im asking yall to help me put one together.

i have been doing some research on carpc's and what a couple people have in theirs and so on. Noticed that a few people have used the via epia (motherboards i guess they are?), which of those is the best? I know that 2.5" HD are the best to use in vehicles - SATA whatever that means. A couple other things i read that i think i need is RAM, a Opus?, power supply, wifi card. Not sure what a daughterboard does, but read something about a CF card?

Im going to buy a 7-8" lilliput vga touch screen - seems like it matters what screen i buy so it works with the system right? Im wanting to use this carPC for navigation, music, videos, play dvds, possibly pc games, not sure what else i can do with it?

so mainly, what would make this real fast, be able to store alot and run multiple programs at once.

sorry for the long post..if anybody even reads it

**bman365** · 05-17-2007, 11:05 PM

..k..lets start out with a good MB for under 300 and works with a 8" lilliput touch screen. I need a couple usb ports for my wireless keyboard and mouse/touch pad, and maybe 2-3 more for whatever. Not sure what else i need..just explain it to me the best you can so i understand..since i know nothing about computer..thanks

**almera** · 05-18-2007, 02:02 AM

Good place to start:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/newbie/78795-new-carpcs-dont-know-where-start.html

**pRoFiT** · 05-18-2007, 02:23 AM

bman365, where do i start......I think it would be best if you just bought a streetdeck pc from the mp3car.com store. With everything built in. (i wouldn't buy one, but i know how to build pc's)

If your having a hard time knowing what SATA is or that via's are motherboards, you guess?....Then getting a computer in the car (aka carputer, carpc) does not sound like something you will be able to do without major frustration.

If you want to continue start reading the FAQ's located at the top of the forum screen. Labled "FAQ"

I would love to newb bash right now but i'm in a good mood. Just got a 22inch widescreen lcd

**bman365** · 05-18-2007, 03:18 PM

well im just asking whats some good things to get..my neighbor works on computers and builds them..so i can get him to do all that..he probably just dont know about car pc's and what all it takes. glad you wanted to be helpful (not really) with what i asked pRoFiT, so next time stay on topic and be helpful. I've looked at the site and about all the sections and also asked people on my car forum that have carputers, but that dont mean i understood any of it. Which is why i made this thread and of course i knew at least one person (like you) would be a j@ck@ss just because im new at this. So what Via works best in my box (8.5"x8.5-9"). thank you - helpful replys only please

**lexdiamond20** · 05-18-2007, 03:44 PM

Dude, your gonna get flamed.

**Sal R.** · 05-18-2007, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by bman365

well im just asking whats some good things to get..my neighbor works on computers and builds them..so i can get him to do all that..he probably just dont know about car pc's and what all it takes. glad you wanted to be helpful (not really) with what i asked pRoFiT, so next time stay on topic and be helpful. I've looked at the site and about all the sections and also asked people on my car forum that have carputers, but that dont mean i understood any of it. Which is why i made this thread and of course i knew at least one person (like you) would be a j@ck@ss just because im new at this. So what Via works best in my box (8.5"x8.5-9"). thank you - helpful replys only please

You've got cajones, I'll give you that.

In any case, seeing as you know how to use a computer, you also know how frustrating they can be when stuff doesn't work or run as they should. And you're taking those elements into a mobile enviroment.

Sounds to me you're off to a decent start, but I really do suggest you take the time and expand the knowledge you have now. When things go wrong, and they will, knowing your system will help in troubleshooting in the future.

The FAQ is there for a reason compiled by people who are much more knowledgeable than you or I. That really is a the best place to start regarding piecing together components for YOUR system and establishing YOUR requirements.

While you're at it, might want to brush up on your forum ettiquette.

GL.

**DarquePervert** · 05-18-2007, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by bman365

well im just asking whats some good things to get..

Understyand that it's an individual choice, and there are lots of options. Without knowing desired functionality, budget, space restraints and so forth, nobody could even begin to make hardware recommendations.

my neighbor works on computers and builds them..so i can get him to do all that..he probably just dont know about car pc's and what all it takes.

A carPC is just a PC...
In a car...
Car... PC... CarPC. Get it?

The only thing different about a carPC (I prefer the phrase "vehicle computer") is how it gets powered.

glad you wanted to be helpful (not really) with what i asked pRoFiT, so next time stay on topic and be helpful. I've looked at the site and about all the sections and also asked people on my car forum that have carputers, but that dont mean i understood any of it. Which is why i made this thread and of course i knew at least one person (like you) would be a j@ck@ss just because im new at this.

And that right thgere is a flame, for which you have been issued an infraction. Lay off the name-calling in the future, if you would.

And nobody is being negaitive because you're new. They're being negative because you are given informational resources, yet still expect people to give you the answers rather than you going and reading for yourself.

So what Via works best in my box (8.5"x8.5-9"). thank you - helpful replys only please

First of all, you have a PC without a HDD. Rather than buy all new hardware, why don't you get a hard drive and see if what you have actually works?

Second, I doubt seriously that a miniITX motherboard from any manufacturer (FYI - Via is a manufacturer, not a product, so you can't have "a Via"...) would mount up in the E-PC case, at least not without some fabrication. HP tends to use proprietary parts, so that you can't simply swap out motherboards or whatever. I could be wrong, but I don't think it will be that simple.

Profit makes some excellent points. Installing a vehicle computer requires understanding of computer components and how they work together, the ability to troubleshoot, the ability to do 12vDC wiring, some knowledge of car audio, as well as the understanding of operating system and the applications you intend to run.

So if you don't understand how to install a hard drive in a computer, then he's right: You should simply buy a pre-built, pre-assembled, pre-loaded system like the Infill G4 (or some other ready-to-install system) and be done with it.
Then you can tackle the actual installation of it...

Good luck. Welcome to our madness.

**bman365** · 05-19-2007, 05:58 PM

it didnt seem too nice of him to threaten me with "newb bash" when i could of got a welcome to site. But its kind of ridiculous that he had to use his time on the site and knowledge against me. i know how to use the search button, but some things are hard to come by when i want specific answers. And once again, like i said, i dont need to understand how everything works and puts together right now, i want to know what to get and then talk to my neighbor about it. I was looking at a 2.5" western digital 160Gb HDD, should it hook up right or do i need cables? And to me..this pc is going to be slightly different than a home pc, because my neighbor isn't going to know about touch screens and whats compatible to make the resolutions blah blah..work out right. So does Opus mainly control power? If the MB dont fit in the box's mounting points i can modify it and make it work no problem - i know how to work with fiberglass and fabricate stuff.

**wired48** · 05-21-2007, 06:47 PM

if you're truly interested you need to listen. if you're completely new to this if would be unfair to you reccommend part to you to find out later that you dont need it or that there was a cheaper way to do it. i suggest you get a donor PC and experiment with it. Try some of the Frontends and software mentioned on the site. that way you'll get an idea of what programs and hareware would integrate well with you're system. From there you'll get a better appreciation for what you want and then be able to ask specific questions. BTW tone it down or you'll find no one will respond to your post. Welcome