Carputer works on bench, but not in car? HELP please...

Tim97rs · 09-25-2005, 02:08 PM

the god damned thing ran fine in the car for a few times. it worked great after i got my audigy NX card (external) wired in and working. a few days later... it wouldn't power up.
In the car Im getting power to the PSU and all fuses are good but it will not power up.
the carputer works fine when plugged into my ghetto power supply on the bench in my house,, but just not in the damn car!!! Ya can't have a freakin CARputer that won't work in the car...!
What gives?

I really need help cause im loosing interest in this project (my first baby will be here any day now...

) and i want it running smoothly before winter hits.

please help with ideas on whats wrong or info on things i can check to see whats wrong ...
thank you guys.
i have a Opus 90w PSU and Epia m10000 MB.

ukchris · 09-25-2005, 02:16 PM

Do the lights on the Opus flash? If so in what sequence?

Is the power switch connector the right way round?

Is the ignition connection good?

Bugbyte · 09-25-2005, 04:15 PM

Are you trying to power it up with the car running or off? If off, try starting the car and seeing if it will power up.

ddn · 09-25-2005, 04:37 PM

Do you have the power-on cable connected from the Opus to the MB?

Bad battery, below 10V?

Bad 12V on signal to the Opus?

Tim97rs · 09-25-2005, 09:22 PM

constant 11.7v without motor on, 13.6v with it on.
I found out the issue however is the external sound card. without it being powered, the computer starts up and runs just fine. With the USB cable plugged in... it won't start. When i had the computer on and working and then tried to plug in the USB cable to the computer, it shut it off completely, not even a green blinky light on the Opus...nothing.

i have the soundcard power supply hardwired into the ATX harness, with a good 5v supply to it. I am plugging in the SC to the front USB ports on my Morex case because the 2 on the rear are used for the touchscreen and GPS receiver.

Could it have something to do with front vs. rear USB ports and how thier powered? Come to think of it... i have the same thing happen on my desk top when i try to plug in a thumb drive on a "front" USB port; it will shut down the computer instantly. But when i plug it into a spare port on my keyboard the computer stays on.

Okay... so now whats wrong and/or what are my options.

Bugbyte · 09-26-2005, 12:17 AM

Hmmm. I have a similar problem on my Epia M10000. If you boot with the flash drive in it, it hangs. Without, it loads fine and you can plug the drive in later with no problem.

I've been told it's a driver issue but have never bothered to track it down.