ok.. im a nub.. help me use my exitsing headunit with a CARPC

**fyreant** · 08-29-2007, 08:25 PM

my first post. ok so im new to the CARPC scene. actually i didnt even know there was a "scene". i was just sitting here tinking to my self.. "i would love to have a pc in my car.." ok.. so straight to the point. i want one.. right? let me explain. a few weeks ago i installed my jensen VM9412 all in one touchscreen dvd player. well i would love to use it for my CARPC experiment. i plan on doing things slightly different then expected though.. obviously since i wanna use my existing screen i wouldnt be able to use my touchscreen for my mouse. i know this. what i want to do is build an ultra small form factor PC for my trunk (self contained power supply) and have the OS load COMPLETELY from a USB flash drive. i plan to have 1 GB ram, and onboard video and sound. on my Jensen unit i have plenty of RCA in and out's so i can make something work. the unit will mainly be used for video game emulators. will be lower end stuff.. prolly only require a 1ghz processor and 512MB ram at MOST. i want more just to be safe. as for keyboard and mouse they will also have to be wireless USB.. im not sure if regular wireless will work but if not im pretty sure there is blue tooth wireless usb stuff out just hard to find. im gonna need help though with the computer. i will need the USFF case with power supply and mother board, a way to regulate the power, and a startup/shutdown control unit. did i miss anything? ideas? thanks in advance..

**DarquePervert** · 08-29-2007, 08:27 PM

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/advfaq.php

**fyreant** · 08-29-2007, 08:44 PM

i read a few informational pages but to be completely honest i dont want to spend hours trying to learn the mechanics of it all. i was hoping someone could just be like "this is what your looking for"..

**WarDriver** · 08-29-2007, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by fyreant

i read a few informational pages but to be completely honest i dont want to spend hours trying to learn the mechanics of it all. i was hoping someone could just be like "this is what your looking for"..

Ouch man...thats like a slap in the face around here. There are good articles in that FAQ and use the search button. You'll find what you are looking for.

It sounds like you've got a plan you just need to fill in the details.

**fyreant** · 08-29-2007, 11:11 PM

ok i've been reading around and was looking at the "Barebone EN15000G + M1-ATX + Ampie" kit on here for $349.. does this come with a cd or dvd rom drive at all? also does it come with a power regulator or a startup / shutdown control?

**2k1Toaster** · 08-29-2007, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by fyreant

ok i've been reading around and was looking at the "Barebone EN15000G + M1-ATX + Ampie" kit on here for $349.. does this come with a cd or dvd rom drive at all? also does it come with a power regulator or a startup / shutdown control?

Look at the case... You see a slot for a CD drive?

You see the M1-ATX? What do you think it is? You can find out in the same place you found that bundle...

And if you arent going to figure out the mechanics of it, how are you planning on hooking this up to your speakers? How are you going to power it? Do you want radio? Do you want GPS?

**DarquePervert** · 08-30-2007, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by fyreant

i read a few informational pages but to be completely honest i dont want to spend hours trying to learn the mechanics of it all. i was hoping someone could just be like "this is what your looking for"..

Then you just want the finished product.
Nothing wrong with that, but you're going to pay through the nose fgor someone who knows what they are doing.

You're either going to learn what you're doing with installing a PC in your ride or you're going to shell out the bucks to have someone do it for you. At this stage of the game, there's no other option.

**fyreant** · 08-30-2007, 07:39 AM

well i dont want a finished product but more less a barebones system that will have a power supply, dc-dc, regulator, and startup shutdown. i plant to do the rest. i will load windows, drivers, mouse, keyboard, pci card, ram, or anything else i need. i dont mind putting the case / board / PSU / regulator / or SUSD pieces together but i just dont want to be cutting / crimping wires or nothin like that. if its "plug and play" then thats not a problem...

**DarquePervert** · 08-30-2007, 07:44 AM

You're not going to get a "plug n play" system.
You're going to have to cut & crip some wires to install a PC in your ride.

The closest thing to a plug-in solution is the Infill G4, but even with it, you're required to tap into your vehicles existing radio harness. That means crimping, at least.

This hobby hasn't evolved to the point of simlistic installations yet.
Unless you go with a PC strapped in your trunk powered from an inverter.. That's about as close to plug & play as it gets, but there are some potential issues with that sort of a setup.

**SammyB** · 08-30-2007, 01:59 PM

Have you thought of using a laptop instead? You can get one very cheap especially one with a cracked/broken screen on ebay. Powering it is much easier (cheaper) than a regular PC.