Carputer Frustration

oekundar · 04-25-2005, 12:38 PM

Has set in. I finally put all the pieces together, mounted them in a nice wooden case and put that below the driver's side seat in the car. It seems that I can't beat the freezing/locking up of the computer.l don't know what do you, I've got the HD secured properly, but I'm still having problems. I am thinking about getting rid of this pieced together carputer and go with a laptop instead

Thoughts?

Bugbyte · 04-25-2005, 12:50 PM

More details, please. Did it freeze when you tested it in the house? What kind of system is it? Are you using a 3.5" hard drive? What is the power supply and are you using some kind of voltage regulator? If so, what kind? Where is the power for the PC coming from (battery, ignition, cigarette lighter?) and how is it getting routed to the PC?

These types of things are often cause by inadequate power.

IntellaWorks · 04-25-2005, 12:53 PM

I/WE have dealt with every problem just be more specific even if you think the details wont matter.

I need: what type of power supply is powering the PC
what type of voltage regulation is regulating the 12v line going into the pc
How much Ram
What type of HDD
WHats connected to the PC
What type of other components are attached ? another HHD CD GPS 3.5" drive ?

IntellaWorks · 04-25-2005, 01:01 PM

Also, one other comment:

PC's weren't technically designed to be placed into a vehicle sounds like common sense right ? In order to get a fully functional PC into a vehicle it really takes some effort. EVERYTHING must be thought out in order to get it functioning correctly, there are truely so many details that go into the design and implimentation into a perfectly working system (if there is such a thing). The list of ways to screw up is much much longer than the list of ways to fully succeed.

If you are ready to give up with this problem then I'd suggest switching to a much user friendlier system such as a laptop.

If your intreguied by the problem and curious enough to spend hours and hours trouble shooting it then continue on with finding out the anwsers.

I'm simply saying: CarPc's designed from the ground up are not EASY to build, I think thats a common mis conception around here. If you are not willing to spend hours trouble shooting something such as this then save yourself some stress and switch an easier setup.

I'm not underminning your capabilities so please dont take this the wrong way, I'm just speaking from experiance.

oekundar · 04-25-2005, 09:07 PM

Thanks for your posts...details to come. I am using a 3.5" HD and it may infact be a power problem. I am running a PW-70 as the powersupply and all that is running off the supply is the monitor, motherboard and HD. As far as my capabilities, I am quite capable, (electrical engineer). I just really haven't had the time to put into finding out the deal with it. I am only runny 256MB RAM, but I am running an AMD board and processor (2.4 ghz)- I forget the model number now. I wasn't having any issues with the unit in the house. Once in a while the unit will shut down and do a memory dump. I definately need to sit down with it some more to get things ironed out.

Thanks again! I think I may have just needed to vent.

Bugbyte · 04-26-2005, 01:05 AM

No regulator or startup/shutdown controller?

Windsetter · 04-26-2005, 09:36 AM

If you are using an AMD chip, do NOT use the stock fan. I had the same issue with my desktop anytime I used a powerful program. I bought a new cooling fan and have not had the issue since. The new fan was only about $10 from newegg.com

Just my thoughts.

Bailey · 04-26-2005, 10:18 AM

If you're worried about temperatures using stock (or poor) heatsink/fan combos you should download SpeedFan to monitor temps. Check your cpu's manufacturer's website for max temp specs.

DarquePervert · 04-26-2005, 11:54 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Windsetter

If you are using an AMD chip, do NOT use the stock fan. I had the same issue with my desktop anytime I used a powerful program. I bought a new cooling fan and have not had the issue since. The new fan was only about $10 from newegg.com

Just my thoughts.

I've built plenty of systems with AthlonXP chips and used the stock AMD-supplied fan and they work just fine.
I, personally, prefer more substantial cooling than the AMD-supplied unit, but for other people, I use the stock unit with great success.

Realistically, would AMD supply a cooling apparatus with their chips knowing it's not sufficient to cool it? I don't think so. That would be pretty bad for business.