Thread: 2000 MX5/Miata EEEPC CarPC (Photos)

Mmm Ulead products are crud.

I've read this works in MSN Messenger, so Im hoping just the driver will be fine and I won't need to use any software other than Centrafuse Cam.

A bit more work tonight.

This pic shows the general fitting inside the case, the hard drive mounts, EEEPC mounts (with roofing brackets, and rivits), the awesome red/clear 3M VHB tape I used to mount the front mesh window, and the little $20 cordless screwdriver I used to drill holes and do the screws in the case. I'll be remounting the hinges tomorrow, stuffed them up and will need a more powerful drill to get them out.

Next, the EEEPC inside the case, and the mesh on the outside panel of the case, mounted with the 3M VHB tape - and Antec Big Boy 200 fan mounted with a few screws. I may use more pretty screws later, but this will do for now.

The 2.5" Nexstar case is mounted around rubber with a flexible clamp made from roofing brackets and rivits, worked out pretty well, should shield it a fair bit from bumps.

You can also see the Silabs USB FM receiver plugged into the 7 port hub. I imagine I'll have to run the antenna thru some interesting places to get a decent signal, though it did provide a great signal inside my house.

Theres a bunch of apps that will record in divx/etc. If you find a small program thats easy to setup and has overwrite/automatic features let me know.

Update

RJ45 LOOPBACK CABLE - To Turn on EEEPC or any PC remotely. WORKS.
Yes, after being asked quite a few times I finally got my lazy *** around to testing the loopback - found here: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/912379-post4.html

It works beautifully I was honestly surprised when I plugged the cable into the EEE while it was off, and it just booted. Sweet. Boots from total off, or suspend mode.

For those building a CARPC with an ultra mobile like me, space is an issue. You need to save space everywhere. For this use a tiny network cable spool like this:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.473
Yes thats $1.78 posted. The cable is very thin - to access the wires to join, don't bother cutting. Get a lighter, and burn the plastic away to reveal the wires. Then just loop 1+3, 2+6, and your done. BTW these numbers are when you are looking at the back of the cable - the side which does'nt have the clip. 1 = the first one on the left. That confused me a bit so I just took a chance and got it right.

Have done alot more misc. wiring work. Will have more pics, etc. on the weekend. Girlfriends complaining its taking too long, but there is alot to buy and alot to do - if you do it properly.


EDIT:

Oh yeah, after you join the wires your not exactly done - it is a working turn on cable, but you'll still need to wire up a relay to switch it on/off when you turn your car on. This is very easy, same as the relay links I've posted before. If anybody has an issue, feel free to ask.

Also, I did NOTHING in the EEEPC bios. Nothing to change there. I did set my network card to "link mode" in the network card settings in Windows XP/Networking, though I have a feeling this does'nt make a difference when your turning it on from completely off. I'd say it'd work without any changes to software.

Originally Posted by rdholtz

The downside of that is that you may have to run Ulead software, which I find is generally resource hogging, very crash-prone, and riddled with memory leaks (which may be why the two Ulead packages I tried crashed the system several times). If you can find other software to use with it, don't even install the Ulead stuff.

I got the USB capture stick today for the reverse camera. It DOES come with Ulead software, but you don't install that, you just install the driver. Works sweet as, very impressive for like $18 bucks! http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5707

There will be more pics this weekend.

I've got very little to do now before the final install.

This weekend:
1) General wiring stuff, soldering, etc. 60% complete.
2) Installation in car. USB extender cable, VGA cable to buy.

Later:
Unfortunately my centrafuse trial has expired I thought I could extend but no. I'll have to wait til i spend nearly 300 bucks on the full version before I can try it in the car. Maybe next week.