Thread: New to this (newb questions)

Start by reading the FAQs then do some searches on each of those questions. After you've read everything you can find, post any specific questions in the proper forums. If you look like your putting some real effort into it, and ask challenging questions (that wouldn't be answered easily with a search), you will get help.

Most people here don't like to take the newbie by the hand and walk him thru everything. Most newbie questions are basically asking for someone to type a 10 minute response to their question, when the newb can have his answer with a 2 minute search.

Okay, I follow. I was just feeling out the willingness of the board with some vague questions (guess I was a bit optomistic). Anyhow, here are your requested specific questions:

- comments on this motherboard.. is it what i want for mp3/dvd/gps capabilties in a carputer?

-Supposing that i used this motherboard in combination with a Opus 150w powersupply, how exactly do I get power to the system (I'm really hoping for specifics here.. because i am clueless for wiring and such).

-an idea of how the lilliput 7" touchscreens are from ebay, I've read extreme positive and extreme negative comments, any real authority on the screen itself?

-again, are there any step by step guides on the internet.

Originally Posted by Cadence

Okay, I follow. I was just feeling out the willingness of the board with some vague questions (guess I was a bit optomistic). Anyhow, here are your requested specific questions:

- comments on this motherboard.. is it what i want for mp3/dvd/gps capabilties in a carputer?

-Supposing that i used this motherboard in combination with a Opus 150w powersupply, how exactly do I get power to the system (I'm really hoping for specifics here.. because i am clueless for wiring and such).

-an idea of how the lilliput 7" touchscreens are from ebay, I've read extreme positive and extreme negative comments, any real authority on the screen itself?

-again, are there any step by step guides on the internet.

That mobo will handle mp3/dvd/gps.

I don't have an Opus or Lilliput, so I'll leave that to someone else.

Some of the posts in "Show Off Your Project" are step by step guides. Many people have websites that show step by step builds of their systems. They usually put links to those sites in their signatures.

you might want to look deeper into that mobo's ability to play your dvds and movies...i do believe i remember reading about that motherboard lacking heavily in that department, freezing frames and whatnot, but thats just my initial thought without any research...id look into it more, or go with the more tried and true epia mini boards.

you can go with an older mini itx mobo and get on of the RealMagic XCard from Sigma for a/v playback

before you start tinkering in your car with wiring you need to understand some basics about electricity. one wrong move and you'll fry a few hundred dollars worth of parts.

the basics ... there are 3 properties of electricity ... Voltage (measured in Volts ... v), Current (measured in Amperes, or Amps ... A), and resistance (measured in Ohms ... identified with Omega or sometimes z)

remember that V = I*R (ALWAYS) ...

The voltage in a circuit is present whether the device needs it or not. The current, however, is drawn by the device. The device will only use as much as it needs.

Power is measured in Watts and is found with P=I*I*R ... or using algebra (what's that?) you can also use P = V*I ... that's usually easier for auto applications.

You have two basic types of electricity ... Alternating Current (AC) which is found in your house ... and Direct Current (DC) which is what is used in your car and electronics. This is why you will find your options for powering your PC are to either use an Inverter and a normal power supply (the inverter converts DC to AC which is what normal power supplies need) or to use a DC-DC power supply. It's more efficient to use a DC-DC unit as your PC uses DC internally so going the inverter route inverts DC to AC, then the power supply takes the AC back to DC.

Ground is the "0" point for the circuit ... I say "0" in quotes because Ground isn't always a true 0. It's simply a reference point. In your car, your chasis (and therefore most metal) is tied to the ground on your battery. This is why when hooking things like amps and computers up in a car, you can simply run a ground wire to a piece of metal within the car.

All voltages within a given system are measured with respect for their given 'ground'. (unless you're talking about curcuits that are in series... but nevermind)

I strongly suggest picking up a cheap multimeter from radio shack so you can measure these things.

Just remember the following:

- touching anything other than ground directly to ground is a VERY bad idea. This causes what is called a short. Sparks will fly, fuses will blow, and death and armagedon are sure to follow.

- most metals conduct electricity, most fabrics do not. if you allow ground and power to touch the same piece of metal ... go back to the previous note.

- never hook things up backwards. check and double check before suppling power

- search for 'regulator' ... read and understand why you need to regulate voltage inside your car.




my last bit of advice for now ... if you want practice wiring something up ... go to pepboys, buy a cheap neon light tube meant to be used in a car ... and wire it up. you'll figure it out. but that way if you screw up and blow something you've lost a $10 light and not a $100 part of your computer.

wow, awesome information shakes, thanks for the reply.
There is one thing that I am still confused about though,

- Assuming that i get the Opus150w PS, what else do I need as far as getting power to my pc/lcd screen?