carputer install: I dare you...

Cat Monkey · 11-20-2004, 09:38 AM

i've started reading this forum (for 6 curious months) and I have to say im actually dreading installing the thing for the first few time given the number of horror stories on this forum. I'm waiting for the screen and have spent considerable money at this point so failure mustn't be an option.

I'd like to call out to all carputer owners who can say 'I did it and it worked and has been working flawlessly for x number of months'

No opus started winking at me, lilliput put on a face, windows ****ed on my seats or the via poohed in its own case

Who has done it and is living the dream. A carputer that works and has been working for a while. Does such a thing even exist?

With so many separate devices all running together I'd imagine the likelyhood of reliable harmonious operation is small. so please prove me wrong. And if I'm right why do we do it? is there somthing wrong with carputer people? are they mentle? do they wake up in the morning and think carputer? do they walk into an electronics strore and find it difficult not to start thinking about carputer? does their woman hate carputer (cause it dosn't work)? do they not have a woman because of carputer? do they care (they have carputer after all)? do they find it hard to listen to other people in the car for thinking about carputer?do they check frodoplayer sub-forum hourly for a new release? when carputer is finished are they in denial and say 'carputer is never finished'? is carputer ever finished?

TruckinMP3 · 11-20-2004, 09:46 AM

My set up has evolved over time and had a few hicups, (when I change stuff, and nothing bad)

My PS always works, The screen is great. The keypad is fine. I have a simple set up:
Celeron 300a integrated MB, Desktop HD, a keypad and 14 inch LCD desktop. I only play music and use W2k as an OS.
My deck has RCA AUX in so that is simple also.

Parts of the system have been in use for more than 4 years, no PC hardware failures. The drive has the longest service time.

Insight · 11-20-2004, 09:57 AM

Know how you feel. My video-out stopped working, touch-screen died, DVD drive fried but honesty its about preserverance on this one. You have to stick it with it.

tech013 · 11-20-2004, 10:01 AM

i had my system up for 5 months now, i had some problems but nothing that i would consider bad. i am running a regular 5.25 hard drive with a inverter and a shutdown controller ,no problems with the drive or the inverter, the only thing i added to the inverter was a surge protector with EMI protection between my pc and the inverter to eliminate a tiny noise problem ,it is now noise free 100% and sounds fantastic .

qaz · 11-20-2004, 11:21 AM

as of a month ago i put everything in in a weekend. so far its working great. ive done a lot of stuff to my truck and car (new engine, 2 lifts, starter...) so i know how things usually go. But this has probably been one of the smoothest mods ive done. i can say ive had almost no problems. im using an inverter, xenarc 700sv touchscreen, western digital 13.6gb p4 1.5 w/ some full size mobo, gps, and a keyboard in the visor; all running with frodoplayer (thanks frodo). this was a glove box install so its not like i had a lot of room to work with either. take that for what its worth though and good luck.

cadence117 · 11-20-2004, 12:06 PM

5 months straight with nothing but maybe 2 or 3 faulty resume-from-hibernations

jcdillin · 11-20-2004, 12:18 PM

P4 2.2, Asus motherboard, Inverter, Used lilliput,

1 month, no problems at all, except I keep wanting to add more things

Matthew230 · 11-20-2004, 12:36 PM

Mine worked from install, after I cracked a few ground loop issues it was fine.

I have noticed that the people who have the most problems are the people who scrimp and take financial shortcuts. Buy a xenarc rather than a lilliput, get a proper Opus etc.

Pudge · 11-20-2004, 12:39 PM

It's worth it, if you take the time, take the money, and do it right, it'll be rewarding. I 'skimped' and bought a lilliput, it works great. I only have one issue and that's when my music starts getting real loud, it skips, and my carputer restarts if this continues for too long, i'm pretty sure it's skipping because the amp is maybe turning on/off, but it's most likely my battery, which is pretty old.

Cat Monkey · 11-20-2004, 12:47 PM

so far I have

OPUS 90W
via M10000 512MB RAM 80GB HDD in a really tight box!!
Hauppage USB2 WinTV/FM
IrMan
GamePort Based Steering wheel stalk conroller

gonna get...

USB WIFI
USB BT
USB GPS
4 Channel PowerAmp
...IN DASH Xenarc

cannot wait...

Meant to ask u chaps -I'm completely paranoid about frying my boards with static everytime I accidently touch a board i keep thinkin its gonna be f**ked. what are the chances ? is it like high risk or would you have to be pretty unluck?

ps. rock on da frodo player!!

cavramair · 11-20-2004, 12:54 PM

I didnt follow the standards as far as a car pc, and I havent had so much as a glich. I went with a computer pull from a job. Its a Compaq Evo 1.5ghz. It has a power on upon power restore, so I didnt have to have a shutdown or startup controller. I run it, and all other accessories, off of a power invertor. I have a gig of pc133 ram. I went with a regular 120 gig hard drive, 5.25 size. An ATI video card with s-video and rca output, as well as the vga. I chose a Xenarc monitor, without a touchscreen. Check my site for the rest of my specs, and pictures of it all, and install. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments.

Rob Withey · 11-20-2004, 12:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Cat Monkey

I'd like to call out to all carputer owners who can say 'I did it and it worked and has been working flawlessly for x number of months'

I did it and it worked and has been working flawlessly for 62 months.

yunusyu · 11-20-2004, 01:02 PM

As long as you work careful and knowledgeble is works perfectly. I have 4 of my friends cars testing the different system variations and they all have not even frozen or crashed ones (4 month)
If this didnt work, i wouldnt be selling them retail, so you can feel prett safe, esspecially becasue u been reading here for 6 months

Good Luck Buddy

About static, get the wrist hand that takes care of that; Its not THAT important, but better safe than sorry

Nav_Attack · 11-20-2004, 02:28 PM

my setup has been up for about 3-4 months with no real issues. developed alternator whine about 2 months in, but a ground loop isolator fixed that right up.

i really think it can be done.

SAScooby · 11-20-2004, 02:47 PM

My setup has been running flawlessly for about 4months (started install in Feb 04, so had a rough gestation period)

biggest hiccup was power, once i spent the big money on a proper power supply no real issues, yeah the sound could be a little better on the top end side as I am using on board sound and cheapie amps and speakers.

Got installed at the moment:

Gigabyte mobo onboard video/sound/lan
AMD XP2400+ processor
256MB RAM
DC/DC 170W power supply
CARTFT.com version of the liliputt (no issues !) custom moulded in dash
BU 303 GPS
Delta Dash OBD interface
Griffin powermate

Car has a dual battery system, very useful ! and the performance of the car has actually improved with this ! probably better grounds and more amps to run the electronics and fuel pump ! the std subaru battery is teeny !

Do it you wont be sorry, but think carefully and spend money where it counts (power supply !)

Even though I have burned out many components (95% all my clumsy fault) I would do it again tomorrow !