Xenarc issues

Whaleboy · 01-02-2003, 03:06 AM

Ok, so now I have the complete system in the car. With the nice custom fiberglass display in the dash, etc. Except now I have a serious problem, the damn xenarc!

I just wanted to run this buy the other owners to see if anyone has had samiliar problems and can offer any fixes. Maybe I just really screwed this display up during all the custom mounting.. who knows...

I'm having the following problems

1. The touchscreen's ability to function disappears after rebooting Windows XP (home edition). However, if I calibrate it again, it operates fine. I have tried everything to troubleshoot this problem, short of reinstalling XP, I have already reinstalled the drivers.

2. The display forgets its current display mode at random. The picture will be absolutely perfect, and lined up. Recognizing the proper mode feeding off the video card. Then suddenly, at random intervals, it decides to just switch into "unknown mode", then the display is misaligned, it won't go back to normal unless turned off, then turned back on.

3. The xenarc completely forgets current brightness/contrast settings when it's turned off and back on. Well, it sort of remembers it. You can go to the menu, and visually see the brightness/contrast numbers at the same position you left them, but the screen is obviously brighter/darker then what the numbers indicate. And will be as such until you go in and move the numbers up/down, and the display will instantly pop back to those numbers you set. Hope that made sense. :P

Ok, well, thanks to anyone in advance if you can offer any help/advice... If not, guess I'll have to buy another as I've already voided the warranty.

cproaudio · 01-02-2003, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Whaleboy
Ok, so now I have the complete system in the car. With the nice custom fiberglass display in the dash, etc. Except now I have a serious problem, the damn xenarc!

I just wanted to run this buy the other owners to see if anyone has had samiliar problems and can offer any fixes. Maybe I just really screwed this display up during all the custom mounting.. who knows...

I'm having the following problems

1. The touchscreen's ability to function disappears after rebooting Windows XP (home edition). However, if I calibrate it again, it operates fine. I have tried everything to troubleshoot this problem, short of reinstalling XP, I have already reinstalled the drivers.

2. The display forgets its current display mode at random. The picture will be absolutely perfect, and lined up. Recognizing the proper mode feeding off the video card. Then suddenly, at random intervals, it decides to just switch into "unknown mode", then the display is misaligned, it won't go back to normal unless turned off, then turned back on.

3. The xenarc completely forgets current brightness/contrast settings when it's turned off and back on. Well, it sort of remembers it. You can go to the menu, and visually see the brightness/contrast numbers at the same position you left them, but the screen is obviously brighter/darker then what the numbers indicate. And will be as such until you go in and move the numbers up/down, and the display will instantly pop back to those numbers you set. Hope that made sense. :P

Ok, well, thanks to anyone in advance if you can offer any help/advice... If not, guess I'll have to buy another as I've already voided the warranty.

1 what mobo are you using? what port are you using? I have the same problem but my system is different than most people's. I'm using Keyspan USB 4 port serial hub. The device almost always fail to load so my touch wont work unless the keyspan works. If you're using the com port on the computer it should be fine. Did you turn on the monitor as soon as the computer turns on? If you turn on the monitor after the computer completely boots, the touch most likely wont work. You have to reboot with the Xenarc on.

2 this problem has been discussed many times. The way to solve this problem is by using PowerStrip. Leave the screen at unknown mode and out of align then use powerstrip to correct the problem. Once you got it aligned, everytime you boot, xenarc will always be in the misaligned position and Powerstrip will always correct the problem, even if you turn off the monitor and turn it back on.

3 You're right on that. Once the monitor turns off, it wont go back to the same brightness as it was before even though the brightness settings are the same. The way I do it is save the setting. When I turn on the system every time, I goto the menu and load the setting. It's a pain but the detail of a WVGA is worth it. I notice that when its cold, the screen is not as bright. Once it warms up, it gets a little brighter.

Show me yours and I'll show you mine --- dash that is.

Whaleboy · 01-02-2003, 04:58 AM

The motherboard I'm using is a Epia 800... And it's connected directly to the com port. I usually have the monitor off until it gets to the XP welcome screen as the screen turns white during the XP bootup screen.

My guess is an unrecognized refresh rate at that point. But I haven't tried leaving it on during the ENTIRE boot up process. Though, this isn't MUCH of an issue as I use STR for my boot ups, it's still a pain in the butt.

Well the problem is I do use powerstrip, and have the display set at a valid refresh rate. The Xenarc's picture is absolutely perfect. It recognizes the mode by default (though it reports 640x480), it's set at 840x480... I normally do not recieve an "unknown mode" msg by the Xenarc 80% of the time. But occasionally, at random, it will pop back to "unknown mode", though powerstrip makes no change in refresh rate, nor does the video card make no change in refresh rate/mode when tested with a normal monitor. I've narrowed the problem down simply to the Xenarc display.

Here's the piece.. All fiberglass/bondo... It was my first try at fiberglassing... blech...Originally in it's place was a cigarette lighter/ashtray and 6-disc cd changer.

Zeinin · 01-02-2003, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Whaleboy
The motherboard I'm using is a Epia 800... And it's connected directly to the com port. I usually have the monitor off until it gets to the XP welcome screen as the screen turns white during the XP bootup screen.

My guess is an unrecognized refresh rate at that point. But I haven't tried leaving it on during the ENTIRE boot up process. Though, this isn't MUCH of an issue as I use STR for my boot ups, it's still a pain in the butt.

Well the problem is I do use powerstrip, and have the display set at a valid refresh rate. The Xenarc's picture is absolutely perfect. It recognizes the mode by default (though it reports 640x480), it's set at 840x480... I normally do not recieve an "unknown mode" msg by the Xenarc 80% of the time. But occasionally, at random, it will pop back to "unknown mode", though powerstrip makes no change in refresh rate, nor does the video card make no change in refresh rate/mode when tested with a normal monitor. I've narrowed the problem down simply to the Xenarc display.

Here's the piece.. All fiberglass/bondo... It was my first try at fiberglassing... blech...Originally in it's place was a cigarette lighter/ashtray and 6-disc cd changer.

hey man, i have a few questions...

1. did the xenac come with a remote? if so i t would greatly simplifiy my mods to it...

2. how is the viewing angle down there? it looks like it should be tilted up a bit?

3. when is IT coming out

?

Skippman · 01-02-2003, 09:34 AM

Man, that is SWEEET looking! Nice job for you're first fiberglassing ever! How are you powering the Xenarc? Is it on a regulated PSU? That might be why it sometimes looses it's settings, a milliamp power spike or some such.

And yes! When is D-Forever coming out already?

thenominous · 01-02-2003, 12:11 PM

Just how the heck do you get the front smooth?
All the commercial fibreglass moulded tuff Ive seen has a smooth finish, but they just use fibreglass. Ive heard the words "Gel Coat" before, but still cant figure out how to mould smooth.
Any good pointers?
Finding info in the UK about this (never mind suppliers) is rather hard.

Dave

Mitokondria · 01-02-2003, 12:44 PM

sweet install!!

Any more how to pics, problems in design etc!!

duffydawg · 01-02-2003, 02:20 PM

I had a calibration problem when i first got my monitor, sent it back and they fixed it for free. If you keep having this problem, call xenarc and ask for jimmy, he's one of their other sales reps there but super cool and fixed it for free for me. I just told him that i purchased it through the mp3car group buy. NICE WORK!

C4M · 01-03-2003, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Whaleboy
The motherboard I'm using is a Epia 800... And it's connected directly to the com port. I usually have the monitor off until it gets to the XP welcome screen as the screen turns white during the XP bootup screen.

My guess is an unrecognized refresh rate at that point. But I haven't tried leaving it on during the ENTIRE boot up process. Though, this isn't MUCH of an issue as I use STR for my boot ups, it's still a pain in the butt.

Which video driver are you using? I had this problem on the DSCustoms 5.6" screen until I installed the updated Epia 800 video driver - now the entire boot process is perfect. Should be the same for you as we are both using TV rather than different device drivers.

Have a look at http://www.viavpsd.com/product/Downl...therboardId=21

C!

Whaleboy · 01-03-2003, 06:42 PM

ok, gonna try to answer all the questions...

thanks for all the compliments!!

The xenarc doesn't come with a remote, it's purely just a VGA monitor.

The display is tilted up a bit, but not significantly so when the 2nd gear shift is thrown into HI/LO it doesn't bump the display. Viewing the picture from the seats looks great when the brightness/contrast settings actually work. So the viewing angle isn't bad at all (though it could be better), as long as it's from a decent distance.

The Xenarc is being ran off the DC-DC powersupply for the computer. However, I have noticed the display has a slight constant wavy pattern to it when it's in the car. This wasn't something that was present when I tested it on the system in the house. And it's still present even when the car isn't running. I haven't solved this problem yet, but it is pretty much only noticable when you get right next to the screen to look. Very minute.

I got the fiberglass so smooth by sanding sanding and more sanding. Any holes or pits I filled with bondo, then sanded some more. Then laid trim paint on top for an extremely durable finish. I haven't been able to scratch the paint off yet.

I don't have any pics, but I can sum up how I built it:

Originally that whole portion where you see that entire piece at housed an ashtray, lighter, and 6-disc cd changer. All of it surrounded by a plastic trim piece. I bought another trim piece, cut it up to make room for the display. Then, carved out a thin shape from polystyrene foam. I thin rigged it on top of the trim piece. From there I wrapped a cotton tshirt over both the shape and the trim piece. Then resined it. Once hardened, I melted the foam inside the piece (glued with the resin) with Acetone. Then fiberglassed the inside, and then poured some resin in it for additional strength (I could stand on this entire piece once it was done).

Afterwards, I cut the hole for the display, a little wider then the opening on the Xenarc's case for the LCD. Then I had taken apart the Xenarc case, and used Plastic Epoxy and glued the front of the case to the inside of the dash piece. From there, I added bondo to the gap between the Xenarc case, and the hole on the dash piece. Then came lots of fine sanding and Dremeling.. Added more resin to the back for strength, then sanded some more.. more bondo in pits, etc... more sanding.. Added high build primer, sanded some more! then painted with trim paint.. (forgot the name).

After, I simply screwed the Xenarc display back into the mounts left from the original Xenarc case, and viola! My new dash piece. That piece is totally removable, no screws, so when I go offroading I can remove it. It's held by those strong metal prongs, that the original trim piece used by the factory. It's withstood impossible speed bumps at high speed.. I put it thru its paces.

Gel coat won't make a finish smooth, sanding and high build primer+bondo will... Just gotta sand sand sand!

Other answers:

I could call Xenarc, but they'd probably just wanna replace it - but can't because I voided the warranty as I removed the display from its case.

I'm not using the onboard video with EPIA, but a Radeon 9200 or whatever thru the PCI, along with the Detonator drivers. I haven't detected a mode/refresh rate change in the card itself when plugged up to a normal monitor. It appears the xenarc is just deciding to change modes at random. I guess this is a problem only to my monitor - so looks like I'll probably have to buy a new one...

The whole touchscreen situation is quite frustrating also... Keeping the monitor on during reboot/bootup hasn't solved the problem either... argh!

Oh and Duke, will be out......when it's done! muhaha!

cproaudio · 01-04-2003, 10:32 PM

I noticed you have red buttons on your Xenarc. Mine buttons are blue. You can see it here
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...threadid=12269

When I built my dash, I built it so I didnt have to disassemble the screen. I didnt wanna void the 90 day woo hoo warranty. Good thing I didn't because I put a charger on my battery and it fried the screen at 16 volts. I sent it back to Xenarc and they fixed it at no cost to me. When I got the screen back I powered it with the ATX PSU. Now I can charge the battery with the computer on.
As for the wavey lines, I noticed it when its running Winamp only. If I minimize winamp, the wavey lines goes away. There's a setting on the monitor that gets rid of it.
Was there any reason why you didnt build the sides?

Zeinin · 01-05-2003, 01:04 PM

detonator with radeon? WTF? no, you mean catalyst.

Alphared · 01-05-2003, 01:16 PM

When you took the screen out of its case what are the dimensions of the screen?? How much space was saved by removing the case??

Whaleboy · 01-06-2003, 03:26 AM

hehe... i had nvidia ringin' in my ears.. :P

You ask why I didn't build the sides, I'm not sure to what you're referring to exactly? Sides of what?

I painted the blue buttons red very maticously.. However, not very pleased with the job, and will probably go back and sand them down, apply some rub on letters, then put a clear flat laquer seal on top. They are red to match the rest of the interior (red leather recaro seats, red paneling+carbon fiber on the doors, etc)

I'll try that setting on the monitor about the wavey lines, I had thought of that but haven't gotten around to trying it...

I never measured the dimensions of the board+display itself when out of the case, but I recall there being about less then a quarter of an inch between the main board/display, and the case itself all around. Not a whole lot of room.

I wonder how much power this unit draws when not receiving a video signal? How would I measure this with a multimeter? I'm only aware of being able to check how much power is going too, not how much is actually being used.

And and while I'm at it, my DC-DC PSU is a PC Power & Cooling.. And man that thing is NOISY! I replaced the PS's 40mm fan with an Evercool 40mm... Super super quiet now.

The unknown mode problem still persists, and I'm becoming quite tired of having to turn this unit on and off. I take it no other users are expierencing this problem. I'll try some different refresh rate settings to see if it corrects the issue, but looks like it's inevitable I'm gonna be buying another unit for the brightness upgrade Spy Supply is offering anyways.

I certainly don't look forward to purchasing another Xenarc just to encounter this ridiculous 'dont apply brightness/contrast settings automatically after unit has been turned off and back on' deal'