So, I have my screen powered through the cigarette lighter, and my computer powered form the battery. I just finally got it installed and working this morning. It was awesome...
Went out, took the carputer inside, and opened it up to do two things:
1. I had to switch the usb connector to the case USB ports because they weren't working, so I assumed it was plugged in backwards (it didn't have the missing pin slot - they were all there, and the manual for the case just said to flip it if they didn't work.)
2. Added two more USB plugs.
I reinstalled the Carputer, and went to turn it on... nothing. I checked the fuse under the hood (15 Amp) and it turned out it was shot. Weird. I replaced it, computer went on for a split second, and then same thing. Very weird. I decided to put in a 20 Amp fuse, and started the computer - it seemed to work fine. Turned the key to accessory to turn on the screen, - and the screen came on for a second, made some crackling noises, and started smoking. OH ****. Turned everything off. So far, the carputer seems FINE. I haven't booted it with a screen yet, but everything spins up and it beeps (this is on a regular PC power supply plugged into the wall in the house.) The screen, however, is shot. I have no idea what happened. I called Xenarc and they said it was probably some chip component on the screen's board, and that they'd replace it for free. Fine, but is this all just coincidence? The fuse in the cigarette lighter plug for the screen is not burned up, so it didn't get a surge through that. The only other possibility then, other than the screen being defective is a surge through the VGA cable - which might be related to the computer wanting 5 more Amps through that fuse. However, I'd assume the PC would be shot if something like that happened, and yet it seems fine. Assuming then, that the screen was defective (though I got it on Christmas, and it worked fine up 'till now) what then caused my computer to draw an extra 5 amps out of nowhere? Does adding two USB cables make that much of a difference?
The only OTHER thing I can think of is the USB cables I used. They came with my Lian-Li all-in-one card reader, and I'm using them in reverse. Normally the 9-pin part plugs into the card reader, and the two USB plugs coming out of that go into your computer, making it an EXTERNAL card reader. I plugged the 9-pin part into a USB port on the mobo, and was going to get two female-female adapters so that I could use it to hook up two more USB devices. I cannot imagine that not being fine to do, but even if that DID cause massive problems, how is the computer still ok? Does anyone know what happened, or have any IDEAS??!?!?! This is so very disappointing - I've been working on this project for over three weeks now
Thanks for any input you might have!
ARRAAAAGHHH!!!!
UPDATE: PC works fine. Using screen from desktop PC. Had a little hiccup starting it, but unplugged it and plugged it back in. Said CMOS error - reset to defaults. Then booted straight from hibernation mode to Centrafuse and works fine! So IDK what the whole fuse episode was. Just makes things even STRANGER. Guess maybe it WAS an odd coincidence?