Thread: Newbie in need of advice/answers

Originally Posted by ebXmacn

Hey guys,

I'm about to start my CarPC but I want to make sure I have a good idea of what to buy... And I'm also wondering is this motherboard compatible with the hardrive I'm going to buy?
And does anyone know where I can buy a CD/RW that doesnt open a tray but sucks in the cd like a stock radio does? Thanks a lot in advance!

System:

Monitor:
Lilliput 7" VGA Touchscreen 619GL-70NP
Our Price: $251.00
http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetai...Code=MON%2D001

Case:
Ampie Car Computer Case
Our Price: $74.99
http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetai...Code=ENC%2D005

Motherboard:
VIA EPIA M10000 Mini-ITX Mainboard
Our Price: $158.00
http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetai...Code=MTB%2D001

Power Supply:
M2-ATX 160W Intelligent DC-DC PSU
Our Price: $89.94
http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetai...ctCode=PWR-015

Hardrive:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$77.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822144701

Ram:
Steal 512mb from my desktop
$0

DVD Burner: (Unless I can find one that eats discs like a car radio)
SAMSUNG Slim DVD Burner Black IDE Model SN-W802B/BEBN - OEM
$74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151089


GPS Receiver:
BU-353 Weather-proof GPS Receiver
Our Price: $75.00
http://store.mp3car.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=48

GPS Program:
http://www.inavcorp.com/products/iguidance2.html
$ 110.00

Front End:
http://www.rrdownloads.net/
$0

Temperature Monitor
http://mbm.livewiredev.com/
$0. (Integrates with roadrunner)

Still not sure how to do sound. I probbaly route it through an amp… And looking into the possibilty of using a Treo as a modem for internet... But if that doesn't work what routers do you recommend?

Sorry for all the questions, I am teh worst kind of noob..

-Jc

Welcome,

You are looking for a "slot load" dvd drive. and look int he MP3car.com store. You will need a USB adapter for it, search for that as well.

Everything you mentioned is fine. Remember, carputers are just like computers, excpet where they are mounted, and that you need a DC-DC to power it.

Michael

You've done your research, my good man.
Kudos to ya.

Looks liek you've picked a quality setup, and the M2ATX will allow you to upgrade at some point in the future.

Good luck with the project. Feel free to start a Worklog thread and keep us informed about your project.
Also, the Show Off Your Project forum is a great source of inspiration and ideas.

Originally Posted by ebXmacn

And I'm also wondering is this motherboard compatible with the hardrive I'm going to buy?

Motherboard:
VIA EPIA M10000 Mini-ITX Mainboard

Hardrive:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

NO, the M10000 does not support SATA (Serial-ATA). Use an IDE drive or purchase an motherboard with onboard SATA.


Also, specify the type of ram that you are stealing from our PC, the M10000 only supports 1 DDR266 DIMM socket, up to 1GB memory size.

Originally Posted by ebXmacn

Hmm IDE harddrive? Will this one work?

Yes, that will work. One thing you may want to consider is that since normal PC hard drives do not take abuse very well, you may want to look at a laptop drive like this, it is more $$ for less GB, but it will last longer.

For laptop drives, there is an adapter that will convert it to IDE.

SATA drive is the only deficiency...do a laptop drive or if you feel really adventurous, compact flash drive.

u want to use a 2.5" hd for that case not 3.5