2003 Mazda 6s (version 5.0)

UPDATE: see post #8 for a video of StreetDeck in action

well, i filed my taxes early this year, so i decided to spend a bit of my refund on a new carputer setup. you can see all the iterations i've gone through with my current setup on my website: http://imondepression.com/carputer.

here are the parts that i'll be keeping from current setup:

- external dvd drive
- soundblaster live 24-bit external
- microsoft gps locator
- griffin powermate
- BTC wireless mini keyboard

and here's a list of all the new parts:

- intel D201GLY2 motherboard (1.2GHz celeron)
- M2-ATX power supply
- MCS mini itx case
- 1GB kingston RAM
- d-link 7-port usb hub
- hitachi travelstar 80GB hard drive

TOTAL COST: $375

i had a hard time deciding which motherboard to get. i want to upgrade the frontend to streetdeck, but i had read about some problems with getting it to work using the D201GLY. so i started looking at via C7 boards, but the cost of any one of those was pushing my budget limit. but recently, it has been discovered that with the latest BIOS and drivers, streetdeck WILL work with the intel board. so that made the choice clear.

for a while, i've been looking at getting a pre-built system from Mobile Computing Solutions. their prices are pretty cheap for some decent systems. but i figured i could build a slightly better system for cheaper. but one thing i was set on getting from them was their case. i gotta say that it's a very intuitive design and it's solidly built. it'll fit just about any mini itx board, along with almost any power supply. it comes with everything you would need, including an extra long power cord for a monitor.

i haven't recieved all the parts yet. i should've had everything today, but UPS screwed up my shipment and temporarily lost it. god, i hate UPS... anyway, i've received the case, power supply, and motherboard so far. i also ordered a modified power adapter that connects to the M2-ATX so that it can be plugged into any power outlet. i got it from MCS's ebay store.

i should be getting the rest of the parts in the next few days, so i'll post more pics as things progress...

Hey i have that same intel board i just picked it up, did yours come with that fan?

nah, mine doesn't have the fan on the heatsink. the original GLY has the fan, but the GLY2 does not.

How cheap is the Intel! I have the original board and have been very impressed with it. Plays divx beautifully which was a concern I had when buying.

Have you got the Lilliput running properly at 800x480? I've got mine running perfectly using PowerStrip if you have any issues with it.

the build is almost complete. things got held up a little bit when i received a bad stick of memory, but that's taken care of.

while most of the peripherals are still in my car at the moment, i'm trying to make everything as plug-n-play as possible. all power connections are made using fastons, so it should be as easy as taking out the old computer and putting in the new one.

i was able to install and activate streetdeck today. the disc with all the navigation data should be here tomorrow. in the meantime, i'm trying to get all the software and drivers in order.

stay tuned for more...

i got the new system installed in the car, and it's up and running...

i tried and tried to get that case on the seat back, but i broke 3 drill bits trying to make pilot holes for the screws. i don't know how i ever got all that other crap (amps, blocks, etc.) on the other seat back!!! oh well... i ended up putting it right where the laptop once was. no big deal.

other than the mounting dilemma, the installation was rather painless, as was anticipated. i put a good amount of time into the build beforehand, trying to make the connections as easy as possible. using the faston connectors also lets me take the computer out of the car quickly and easily, if need be.

all in all, i'm pleased with it. system performance is pretty good and streetdeck is really cool. i just have to work out the bugs and try to optimize things. it takes a good while to resume from hibernation and if i try to restart, the system hangs.

didn't really get too many pictures tonite. the interior of the car is the same...

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/atta...e-interior.jpg

if you wanna see more on the interior setup, check out my website.

Nice project, and I just luv that little case :)

Keep the updates coming, I would just secure the box and then it's smooth sailing.

i made one last mod to the case last nite. i just drilled a hole in the front panel so i could run a wire from the PSU to the front of the car, where i put a momentary switch. this is more for convenience when the pc freezes. i've been on the road at times when the pc decides to stop working and i have no way of resetting it.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/imag...7e0c034ee5.jpg

i also shot a short video of StreetDeck in action...

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB0tU8MuWTY[/media]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by skeurton

i made one last mod to the case last nite. i just drilled a hole in the front panel so i could run a wire from the PSU to the front of the car, where i put a momentary switch. this is more for convenience when the pc freezes. i've been on the road at times when the pc decides to stop working and i have no way of resetting it.

---

Haha that's so funny, today I did the same thing :P After it happening twice I decided I was tired of pulling over and crawling into my bonnet with a screw driver to short the reset pins :P

Nice setup...very clean