hannibal

Hey guys,
I'm working on my first carPC. I plan to do a full install with a M10000 and 7" touchscreen in my next vehicle. But for now, I'm just trying build a simple (MP3 only) system for my current car.
I'm using a hand-me-down eMachines with 633MHz Celeron, 10GB, and 32MB RAM. I recently installed Win2000, which to my surprise is actually running on this old PC with only 32MB RAM (OS only, no software installed yet - I also have Win ME and 98SE, is 2000 the better choice?).
I'm trying to figure out how to control/display the system. I'm currently thinking of a 20x2 LCD module + keypad. Does this sound like a good inexpensive option?
I have no clue how to interact with a PC without the standard screen + keyboard/mouse.

Thanks

MP3Car.com

 

erazor

hm 32MB is even lowest level for win 98 runing proper and not to slow i wouldnt even think of installing win2000 on a 32MB system anything would be slow as hell.

joski

Can I please send you more ram?!

jcdillin

It will run but applications will kill it, you need at bare minimum 64 but I would go to 128 or 256.

joski

Like 128mb at least.. That way you can run Windows XP instead of any other trashy OS

hannibal

Ouch... joski, even offered to give me some RAM!
I will spend the money on a stick of 128MB PC100.

Should I go with XP on this thing? I know XP loves RAM. Would XP be happy with 'only' 128MB? I guess if I can install Win 2000 with 32MB, XP will be no problem with 4 times the memory.

Serial LCD + keypad is the only way Ive heard of running the system without a monitor. Is this a good option to explore? What do you monitorless MP3-only
guys use to display/control your PC?

Thanks

kickercivic1

hell no go for 512mb. they are not that much money.. man 128 sucks *** its slow. xp will eat 128 with only couple things running in the background.

MP3Car.com