Need help, wanting to get into the hobby to help a friend out.

**leglez** · 12-21-2006, 02:22 AM

Ok I have been telling my friend that I am going to do something to her car that no one else has (around here at least). I finally came up with the idea of putting a Carputer in it. She has a 2005 mustang. I am planning on getting a Pentium 3 computer with 512MBs of RAM, around 1.0GHz. I am fairly experienced with building computers, I have built 3 from scratch. I will probably build a custom case out of plexi glass and store it in the trunk or under the passenger seat. I plan on putting some type of DVD Reader in it. I dont know if it is possible or not but is there anyway to copy a cd straight to the Carputer from the dvd drive? Not sure if there is any software that supports this. Also I dont plan on getting a laptop HDD since they are more expensive, I am thinking a 120GB or 160GB 7200 RPM HDD. Gonna get a cheap Audigy 2 soundcard and probably a wifi adapter. I will probably go with the Lilliput LCD Touchscreen. But I might rather go with the Xenarc In dash monitor. I would rather go with an In Dash device since it is not my car and I dont want to have dash panels out of the car for days upon days while mounting the LCD in it. I plan on running Windows XP Home edition with some media software.

This will mostly be used for music, maybe a movie every once in a while but not often. No GPS or anything ATM. Maybe internet browsing if she is parked around somewhere with wifi.

How long does it usually take to install a carputer? I can have the computer itself up and running with the software in about 6 hours MAX. She is wanting it done before christmas break is over, January 5. She isn't wanting to spend a lot right now and just get the basics and add more later. So if I get the computer for free and just need a HDD, power supply, startup controller and monitor, do you think I could have it built for under $500 if I use the Lilliput and under $600 if I use the in dash?

**DarquePervert** · 12-21-2006, 08:03 AM

I dont know if it is possible or not but is there anyway to copy a cd straight to the Carputer from the dvd drive?

Yes, it is possible.

How long does it usually take to install a carputer?

Depends on your skill level, knowledge of yur car's electricals and the complexity of the install. A simple installation could be done in a weekend.

**RedGTiVR6** · 12-23-2006, 10:39 PM

the research needed however if you're going to go custom built will take a lot longer than a weekend.

If you don't have the time, get a preconfigured system or even an Infill T3 depending on how much money you have.

**merk350z** · 12-26-2006, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by leglez

Ok I have been telling my friend that I am going to do something to her car that no one else has (around here at least). I finally came up with the idea of putting a Carputer in it. She has a 2005 mustang. I am planning on getting a Pentium 3 computer with 512MBs of RAM, around 1.0GHz. I am fairly experienced with building computers, I have built 3 from scratch. I will probably build a custom case out of plexi glass and store it in the trunk or under the passenger seat. I plan on putting some type of DVD Reader in it. I dont know if it is possible or not but is there anyway to copy a cd straight to the Carputer from the dvd drive? Not sure if there is any software that supports this. Also I dont plan on getting a laptop HDD since they are more expensive, I am thinking a 120GB or 160GB 7200 RPM HDD. Gonna get a cheap Audigy 2 soundcard and probably a wifi adapter. I will probably go with the Lilliput LCD Touchscreen. But I might rather go with the Xenarc In dash monitor. I would rather go with an In Dash device since it is not my car and I dont want to have dash panels out of the car for days upon days while mounting the LCD in it. I plan on running Windows XP Home edition with some media software.

This will mostly be used for music, maybe a movie every once in a while but not often. No GPS or anything ATM. Maybe internet browsing if she is parked around somewhere with wifi.

How long does it usually take to install a carputer? I can have the computer itself up and running with the software in about 6 hours MAX. She is wanting it done before christmas break is over, January 5. She isn't wanting to spend a lot right now and just get the basics and add more later. So if I get the computer for free and just need a HDD, power supply, startup controller and monitor, do you think I could have it built for under $500 if I use the Lilliput and under $600 if I use the in dash?

MINE RAN ABOUT 6 BILLS I GOT A USED LAPTOP P3 866 WITH 512 MEGS OF RAM AND A 80 GIG DRIVE AND GOT A PC CARD DRIVE FOR THE SCOUND CARD AND ALSO RUNING WIFI MUSIC AND MOVIES I DOWNLOAD I LOVE THE SET UP THE SET UP WITH A LAPTOP I THINK IS BETTER BECASUE IT CUTS OUT ALOT OF ISSUES SHE MIGHT HAVE. YOU KNOW WHEN BUILDING A COMPUTER ITS DIFFERNT WITH A LAPTOP UNPLUG IT AND TAKE INSIDE AND SEE WHATS WRONG WITH A CUSTOM BUILT SYSTEM IT COULD BE MANY THINGS AND IF ITS A PERSON WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT COMPUTERS OTHER THEN E MAIL IM AND ALL THE BASIC THINGS THEN YOU MIGHT HAVE PROBLEMS IN THE LONG RUN.