Quote: Originally Posted by
iomandala 
Well last night i took apart my old laptop a HP pavilion ze 4500 and found out all the parts and where i am going to start here. I have the dimensions and now i think i have a clear idea of what i would like to accomplish.this is a list of things i still need input on. I have mentioned this in another newbie post but i drive a VW 2004 GTI VR6 24v with a factory double din with the monsoon amp.
How can i get a key switch signal to put the computer into hibernate?
How can i relocate the cd/dvd drive and can i use a super drive with this computer?
What is the best inverter if i wonted to use a 12v lighter for power?
And what is the best overall front end in the xp platform?
I plan to use the monsoon I have read about this but any more diagrams and volt amp signal charts and mapping would really help. I also do not wont to alter the factory wiring I am trying to accomplish a plug and play unit where and if at all possible.
Thank you for any and all comments.
1. Since you're running a laptop and assuming you'll still have the battery installed, simply set the preferences in xp to hibernate after "X" minutes when running on battery power.
2. Get a usb enclosure from newegg, mp3car, or ebay. They're cheap.
3. if you're going to use a laptop, get one of those "airline" adapters for your model. then either plug it into the cig lighter
OR cut off the plug and wire it into the vehicle properly. Either way is much better than an inverter.
4. Best front end for xp? Depends on what you want. Road Runner is the most popular though. It's free, there's an unlimited amount of applications and plugins for it, and guino(creator) actively updates and tweaks it. It does require a little knowledge and willingness to experiment on your part. If you want a more "out of the box" solution, look into streetdeck or centrafuse, they're available for purchase and are a bit more sorted right from the get go. But you loose some configurability for that stable known platform, and there aren't as many plugin's for them like RR...........
5. Plug and play. Unnghhh..........I cringe when people say this. Never the best way and it always looks cobbled up.
6. Don't want to alter the factory wiring? Exactly where do you plan to draw power from? Please don't say plug into the cig lighter....................
But;
If you
really want to keep the head unit, either use it's rca in jacks, hack some in if it doesn't have any, or plug the puter into the 3.5 jack (again if you're HU has one).
Overall, a decent way to go if you're on a strick budget (ie; you're nearly broke!). But it's always going to be a "half way" solution.
I'm a big fan of not going half way with anything. A laptop, inverter and touch screen run through the HU can be made to work but you'll never be satisfied with it. It'll always look tacked on at best, crappy at worst. It
will play MP3's, it
will run nav software, but so will a laptop sitting on your passenger seat.
Which is pretty much what you are making.
If you want to go this way, just get one of those laptop gooseneck mounts and be done with it. It'll be much cheaper and you can still use the laptop as a laptop.
Now, what I would
recommend (notice I said recommend) is a micro/mini/small form factor atx board, a proper "intelligent" dc-dc power supply, integrating a touch screen into the dash, appropriate peripherals for what you want (gps mouse, HD radio, etc), the coresponding audio hardware, and ditching that stock audio system.
This will require a fair time and financial investment on your part (depending on what you have lying around already), but the end result is much more satisfying.
But the choice is up to you.....................(and your budget!)
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