Thread: is this everything i need to make this work?

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Have you checked that your laptop can be configured to output video to the right display automatically? I had an Acer that would only put the display on the main laptop screen and you had to manually push some keys to get it to switch over to the external VGA port every boot no matter what. Also once you closed the lid so the internal screen was off, the VGA port went out too since it was just a clone and the main lcd was still the primary.

That could get really annoying having to select the video source each time and drive with the screen opened...

Hmm very good point. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll test it by connecting it to my monitor and closing the laptop to see if it still projects the image to the 2nd screen.

How do you plan on having the computer turn on automatically with the ignition, and shut down cleanly when you turn off the ignition?

Hmm... I'm planning on doing almost exactly the same thing shortly here, at least temporarily and with a crappier laptop. Any particular reason you're installing in the trunk, aside from being near the amp? I'm considering placing my laptop under the passenger seat - especially because that's where I'm planning on mounting the permanent PC after I build it.

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

That hasn't been discussed, as far as I can see.


But kross brings up a very good question, and one you should consider during the planning stages instead of later when you realize you have to pop the trunk every time you want to turn the laptop on.


Do you have a BIOS that will automatically boot the laptop when it receives power? (This functionality is typically in desktop PCs, not laptops)
Are you going to use a startup/shutdown controller to turn the laptop on/off with the ignition?
Do you intend to wire a power button to your dash or center console?
Perhaps using a Wake on Ring or Wake on LAN configuration?

Booting the laptop (especially when it's buried in the trunk) is the single biggest hurdle for a laptop install. It's definitely achievable, but you have to plan accordingly, without a doubt.

Well plan was to let the laptop go into hibernation after a minute of no usage and then laptop would turn on when any button on my multimedia controller is pressed. Isn't this possible? My laptop currently doesn't have a hard drive in it so can't test this out unfortunately.

If not I'll just do the power hack button I've seen in a few threads.

Originally Posted by asplodzor

Hmm... I'm planning on doing almost exactly the same thing shortly here, at least temporarily and with a crappier laptop. Any particular reason you're installing in the trunk, aside from being near the amp? I'm considering placing my laptop under the passenger seat - especially because that's where I'm planning on mounting the permanent PC after I build it.

My seats are way too low and while a laptop could fit there, my future carpc won't and I don't wanna rewire the car when I upgrade. That's the only reason but I would say doing it under the seat would be more convenient if possible.