2001 Honda Prelude PC 2.0

**xbi0s** · 10-17-2008, 05:53 PM

Well...

It's been 2.5 years since my first install... I learned a lot of valuable information from running the PC for this long. Up until the last few months, it ran great... Time for new hardware and a new look!

This time I went with a Mini-ITX board. I was going to do PicoITX, but I think Mini will work great in an automotive case. I will not be using anything but USB on this project. I have an extremely stiff suspension, using PCI components led to shake-outs and caused more headaches than I care to deal with anymore.

I will be posting future information on my part list, pictures of the new install, and a better work log to help folks out.

My original posting is at... 2001 Honda Prelude

**xbi0s** · 10-21-2008, 09:20 PM

PreludePC 1.0 was running a MicroATX ASUS Board. I had great success with it... but I ran into a few issues that I wanted to overcome.

1.) PCI components began to "shake out" over time and would cause malfunctions in the system.
2.) Computer case that I was using was a cheap, generic desktop case... It was not made for supporting CarPC's nor the enviroment.
3.) I lost a lot of functional space in my trunk with the way that the items were mounted.

For this new setup... I went with the Mini-ITX form factor. I have had plenty of time to read up on other's installs as well as my own experience in my system. Mini-ITX is a very cost effective machine and has enough power to do what I want it to do.

Hardware list:
Case: Mo-Co-So Aluminum Case.
I want to give appreciation to Mobile Computer Solutions for a quality product with prompt service. My order was placed on Thursday evening, 10pm CST and it was on my front porch Tuesday at 1pm. I was extremely impressed and pleased with the product. Standard mounts for a Mini-ITX Board... Custom plug for direct wire into the case's PSU and into your car's +/- and remote, rubber grommets for the install... Hell read their website, it has the part list. I will be ordering from these folks in the future!

PSU: M2-ATX (mp3car.com store)
I initially purchased the M2-ATX from the MP3Car store back in 2006. In 2007, I purchased a second M2-ATX off of a friend whose vehicle was totaled out. I initially ran into problems with the first M2-ATX failing to start my motherboard after a year. I replaced with the second which soon fell into the same problem. After an unfortunate accident at the car wash... (XM Antenna wire looped into case.. Water followed it down.. Woops!) I went back to the first M2-ATX and turned the motherboard to boot on power.

Motherboard: Intel D945GCLF
This can be a tough decision on this hobby... As I said above, I went with a Mini-ITX Board for this round. The board I chose was the Intel D945GCLF... This is the single core model. Approximately 3 weeks ago, Intel released the dual core version. I weighed the pro's and cons of the two boards. I really have no need for a dual core processor. Don't think I am not a typical nerd with computers... I have to have the biggest and baddest. I went with this board for two reasons... (1) I didn't feel like I need a dual core.. (2) I found this board at Fry's for $69... C'mon... Gotta love saving a couple of bucks!

Additional equipment, not installed currently:
Wireless Adapter: EnGenius EUB-362 EXT
I have read up on this quite a bit. I am leaving behind a common Linksys PCI 802.11g/b card for this. It seems to have great reviews and I am excited to give this a test. Future results will come

External Antenna: HyperLinkTech 2.4GHz 7dBi
I used this antenna quite a bit on my old box as well as in my home. This antenna has great range and is a very well made product. I was extremely happy with my success with HyperLinkTech and plan to use them in the future as well.

USB Soundcard: Unknown
I currently am not sure what external sound card I am going to purchase. I am going to continue reading up on what is out there to make a more informed decision.

**xbi0s** · 10-21-2008, 09:20 PM

2008.10.21 - MoCoSo case arrived... After a few minutes I had all of my new parts installed and ready to be placed in the car. I am currently sitting here, watching Windows format my new hard drive. I ran into a few roadblocks with the install that were getting me pretty mad. My nLite install would not load up on this motherboard. I have used this install, with generic drivers, on other computers with great success. It may be user error but I am just using the Windows XP install for now. I have been CarPCless for almost a month. Another roadblock I ran into was the use of my USB keyboard. I have installed plenty of times before with this board and would not get any love this time. I dug out my PS/2 keyboard and everything is running fine.