Odd Bootup issue

**Slippin3** · 12-10-2005, 01:12 AM

Hey guys,

Here is what I am facing. Right now my Car PC is sitting in my room, and will be installed in the srping most likely due to our cold winters.

It is powered via a cig lighter plugged into an AC-DC converter (convertor has a cig outlet). I unplug the PC when not in use.

When I plug the PC in, the system gets power, and you can hear everything spool up, but nothing on-screen, and no BEEP for POST. I hold down the PWR button to power down, and immediatly hit it again, and boot up resumes.

This is odd, but doesnt bother me much now. I know this will be bad when I have it in car. In fact, I want a DSSC or uSDC in the future, but dont know how they will react with this situation. The PC is a Cappucino.

Thanks for any help!

-John

**WhoIsThisGuy?** · 12-10-2005, 07:55 AM

Hey

Check out this post.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...77&postcount=2

The issue I had exhibited the same symptoms as u describe (although not mentioned in my post as it wasn't too relevant at the time) as well as a couple of others. Not used a Cappucino (wtf is one? lol) so can't say it is this, but thought it was worth a mention. If u've added any extras inside the unit, try ditching them temporarliy and see if it boots then.

Good luck.

**Slippin3** · 12-10-2005, 12:18 PM

Thanks, I will see if it is a power issue. I am using a battery pack so maybe that is it. For Cappucino Pcs, check out: http://www.cappuccinopc.com/cappuccino.asp .

**buurin** · 12-11-2005, 03:45 AM

Originally Posted by WhoIsThisGuy?

Not used a Cappucino (wtf is one? lol)

Good to know I am not the only one out of the loop.

They should make the case in the shape of a mug.

**WhoIsThisGuy?** · 12-11-2005, 05:38 AM

To be honest, after checking them out, I'm pretty glad I'd never heard of them (no offence meant Slip). Give me my m10k any day

**Slippin3** · 12-14-2005, 11:45 PM

No offence taken... What is wrong with the PC that I have?

**pirate_king00** · 12-15-2005, 01:32 PM

ok, the problem is with the 12v feed to the cig adapter. The best bet to run an inverter is use 2-4 guage wire coming off the battery into a distribution block that outputs 4-6 guage (try to stick with 4 guage). Then feed this to your inverter (get an inverter that ties into a switch,so that way the inverter does'nt kill your battery) I bought a monster inverter that has this built into it.
With that being done you will not have any power issues unless you have an old vehicle with bad alternator or battery.

**WhoIsThisGuy?** · 12-15-2005, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by Slippin3

No offence taken... What is wrong with the PC that I have?

Not a bad machine but I'm not into pre-built machines in general and the specs on these seem a bit low, eg couldnt see on that website a cappachino with more than 256MB which I find a nightmare in WinXP (admittedly, I only looked at if for like 2 mins)

Just mho, but whatever peeps are happy with.

**Slippin3** · 12-18-2005, 02:25 AM

Originally Posted by pirate_king00

ok, the problem is with the 12v feed to the cig adapter. The best bet to run an inverter is use 2-4 guage wire coming off the battery into a distribution block that outputs 4-6 guage (try to stick with 4 guage). Then feed this to your inverter (get an inverter that ties into a switch,so that way the inverter does'nt kill your battery) I bought a monster inverter that has this built into it.
With that being done you will not have any power issues unless you have an old vehicle with bad alternator or battery.

Well the vehicle is a 2004 with less than 35000miles, so as good as new. When I am running this it is in my room hooked up to an inverter/booster unit (similar to this: http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortmen...=1134890655260 ) So I dont know if the cig feed is the issue.

**pirate_king00** · 12-19-2005, 03:45 PM

Your link did not work for me, however when running an inverter in a car for a computer system, your going to want to do what I recommended on my post to you earlier. The Monster Inverter allows you to run 4-8 guage wire to it. This will allow your pc to get plenty of power (assuming that you purchased the correct wattage inverter). Like I mentioned, I am running a P4 2.8ghz and no problems with my inverter. However I dont have it plugged into cigarette lighter.
Most wire going to cigarette lighter are 16-18 guage, to thin to carry the power needed for a computer to run.