2003 BMW M3 Custom Dash / Overhead Console

**JustWaiting** · 06-28-2004, 10:55 AM

Gork,

I've actually cooled it down quite a bit. The machine runs warm when it is over 90 degrees outside but it still runs with no problems. I have a variable high speed fan which is controlled through a application within Windows. If I notice that the temperature is getting a little too warm I can either automatically control the fan speed or manually adjust it. I simply took the sides of the case off and that seemed to resolve my heat problems for now. I am building an enclosure with fans to disperse the heat. How is the linux project coming along? What are you using in Linux for a GPS application?

**dimitris** · 07-10-2004, 07:10 AM

Hi Guys, it's all impressive stuff here! Gork, great installation! I have an E46 convertible and I want to do something very simmilar. Having read all the thread here I have accumulated some questions to which I would be greatful to get an answer, from you guys.

1) How long does it take the M10000 to boot up?

2) There are now available motherboards with mini-itx form factor that take a pentium-m. Apparently up to 1.1 GHz no active cooling required. I'd like something more powerfull perhaps 1.7 GHz to accelerate boottime for xp to less than 15 sec. Any thoughts/experienses on this?

3) There are mini-itx cases that would fit exactly in the cd-changer position in the trunk. I was contemplating using the above motherboard with some active cooling in this case, in the cd chamnger position. I guess laptops are even smaller and still work and are kept cool, so why not?

4) To linux or not to linux... I am aware of the possibility to boot very fast. In fact I have a phatbox which runs linux and boots in a couple of secs. Impressive! But keeping all the windows xp functionality and sofware versatility is a good argument to endure a bit longer boot times... Any comments? How about bringing windows to standby, istead of "off". Then they would switch on nearly instantaneously...

Coments extremely welcome...

Dimitris

**blackrio_projec** · 07-10-2004, 08:11 AM

Hello every one, Im new to the forum...

, I have a question or two, I have a Kia Rio 2004, and Im planning to make tha same thing you made for your BM, can you help me with that??? I mean, I want to know how to get out info of my car by the diagnostic ports or OBDII... how can I do that?

**gork** · 07-10-2004, 10:14 AM

1) Boot times are too long for my tastes in the car, but there are few things that will help that on any board. You can get the M10000 boot times down to about 25s if you really work at it. It takes mine about 40s. After I leave my house, I am listening to XM before I make the turn off of my block onto a major street.

2) Processor speed will NOT influence your boot time that much. The boot time is mostly affected by the BIOS and the hard drive speed. After that, it's pretty much an issue of how fast your drivers can initialize the hardware.

3) Well i was not able to find one

But it would be a good idea - there is lots of room back there. You would need probably to draw air in and exhaust out into the main trunk area though. Hiding the case there is a good idea, but heat will be a big big problem if you just close it up.

4) Yes, linux can give you faster boot times owing mainly to the fact that you can manually hone the kernel and init process to get the minimal components you need to be "interactive" going quickly. But be forewarned, linux doesn't necessarily boot fast in the default install of most distributions, and you have to know *a whole lot about linux* to be able to tune its boot process.

Standby and software suspend are good options for fast resuming, though getting hardware that fully works with them is next to impossible. The only systems I have ever seen that actually manage to work 100% with them are macs. On the PC side, laptop hardware is better designed to do this. There is one other critical element missing to the suspend problem though -- for carpc's it would be very useful to have a function that said "Suspend for 8 hours, then hibernate," but this seems to be sort of a pipe dream.

blackrio: There is an OBDII forum on this board that would be of more help to you than I would. I bought an interface from http://obddiagnostics.com/ and it works great with BMW and the both the software that comes with it (windows) and freediag for linux. Although OBD-II is a standard, many of the low cost interfaces and/or software cannot "speak" all of the different OBD-II interfaces. I have no idea what the KIA uses, so make sure you find out before you order one.

**blackrio_projec** · 07-10-2004, 08:53 PM

Thanks a lot gork, Ill keep looking and in touch with you... thanks again, and by the way your car is cool and the things in it are SIC!!! I LOVE IT!!

**gork** · 07-10-2004, 08:56 PM

blackrio: Thank you. I appreciate the compliments. Good luck with your install!

**riuster** · 07-10-2004, 11:44 PM

I would like to do the same thing gork, but the OEM stuff...well not going to waste time on my m3..but I want to put in the computer with a Lilliput monitor in front of my AC vents...so....the question is where is hte link for the monitor?

**gork** · 07-11-2004, 01:34 AM

riuster: If you don't want to spend the time building one, you can buy a ready-to-go screen mount from srcstc right here on these very forums. I have referred a number of people his way and heard no complaints. You must live somewhere other than me if you are willing to block your AC vents

In the 3 series cars, those middle AC vents are about all ya got. Anyway, I got my lilliput from http://www.digitalww.com/, but they are available everywhere.

**riuster** · 07-11-2004, 02:01 AM

Originally Posted by gork

riuster: If you don't want to spend the time building one, you can buy a ready-to-go screen mount from srcstc right here on these very forums. I have referred a number of people his way and heard no complaints. You must live somewhere other than me if you are willing to block your AC vents

In the 3 series cars, those middle AC vents are about all ya got. Anyway, I got my lilliput from http://www.digitalww.com/, but they are available everywhere.

yes..i saw that faceplate, but my car never came with the original nav system and my AC unit head is made for the DEAD center console, not where you have it, it must be a ***** to move and I dont even want to go there. I already have too many things in the car, ham radio, V1, Sirius plug and play, Garmin, and now..I want to put in a PC, and remove that satelitte radio, geez, Sirius removed my favorite channel "VORTEX", now its a lame piece of electronics.

Correct on those AC vents, if I lived in TEXAS.....man..would I need them vents. So I plan to put a monitor right in front of the AC vents attached to the proclip mount, Im just wondering how to mount it, Ill figure it out, I guess...but you are using the LILLIPUT monitor, but many people are having problems with them, how are you doing with it...I hear there are problems with the touch screen, and viewing due to sunlight is an issue. Are you happy with the unit?

btw...the SMG kicks ***....doesnt..it?...had mine since 2002...also, Im on m3forums.com as well...thanks for the help bro!!!

**ayclens** · 07-11-2004, 03:06 AM

riuster: relocating the a/c controls is actually very simple. You just need to buy a BMW part that replaces your sunglasses cubby and your a/c controls will just snap in.