Thread: 2002 Ford Mustang CarPC; FINALLY!

I've yet to come up with a name for my project, but she sure is running smooth! I got my two power supplies in last week(desktop testing & Opus 360) and I've been chugging away since. The computer can do a restart in about 60 seconds, so I am assuming a cold boot will be about 45 seconds. That's with all of my software installed, but without any music on the secondary hdd.

My "man cave" has become a pigsty! Oh, it's soooo worth it!


I was originally going to test the Opus360 with my ATX PSU, but i'm quickly rethinking the idea. I figure the PSU will be the last item on the list and if there are any problems...I can work them out during the install

To do list:
-Disassemble the Lilliput and assemble in the Bybyte bezel
On a side note, I do not think a Metra radio kit will be necessary. Granted I haven't test fit the Bybyte bezel in the car!
-Paint my '95 center console. I never thought finding SEM interior paint would be such a PITA!!
-Mount Opus 360...The car is not ready yet, so no rush on the PSU!

Its great to see other Mustangs on here. Keep up the good work!

Thats looking awesome Archy! I a big fan of Corsair RAM, good choice on that! How is that new intel board, looks really nice from the specs. I'm running a new atom board and I'm Impressed with it thus far.

The new intel board is amazing thus far. I've installed the majority of my software and I haven't seen it hiccup yet. However, I only uploaded my music collection last night! We will see if that lags it up at all. My next task is to get some PC games installed to see how she runs!

*Important note*
DO NOT change the memory speed in the bios to 800mhz!!!! We bricked the mobo with an apparent bug. Luckily I was able to get it replaced quick, and not miss any fiddling time! Unfortunately I can't use the full potential of the memory, but at 3.5-4gb I'm sure it doesn't make that much of a difference!

____
I was able to find some SEM Classic Coat interior paint that will supposively match Ford's color codes!!!!
Hopefully I will have the rest of the PC installed by next wednesday, and I can start installing the new center console. I would love to have the whole unit installed by May 9th when I go on a small road trip

After a long day at work and a refreshing motorcycle ride , I began placing the Lilliput in it's new home! I've yet to test it(I have some questions first), but it was a lot easier than I expected!

I ordered a Bybyte "test" unit which supposed to be "unpainted". Apparently I need to order an IR extender, so I wonder if I am missing any other brackets. I do have two questions based on this unit!

The "button" panel is supposed to screw into the LCD frame perpendicular to the Lilliput circuit board. However, one of the rubber buttons touches a coil on the circuit board. [HL]Will this cause a problem during operation? If I unplug the panel from the circuit board will there be any adverse effects?[/HL] I figure with the IR extender I don't exactly need the buttons.




Secondly, the power connection doesn't really have a home(unless I misread the instructions). It basically just hangs out without being secured to anything. The mechatroniks kit says "You can remove this power input board if you use the power input on the cable"...[HL]what exactly does that mean?[/HL] Should I go with option number 2? [HL]Or could I ziptie that power board to the LCD frame?[/HL]


Here is the Lilliput inside the Bybyte frame



I placed the LCD in my chassis without the motherboard in place and the fitment looked perfect
.

However...

With the motherboard in place, the DVI connector touches the 24pin mobo connector and the whole LCD sticks out almost 1/2"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


The fitment of the whole unit was going to be real tight in my dash, but I think the whole screen issue is really going to screw me over. Not only does it stick out way too far, but it also doesn't fill in the OEM opening. I will have to pick up a Metra Radio kit for that purpose which will extend the depth even more!!!

If anyone has an idea for the LCD aside from custom fabrication I am almost willing to try it!


____
On a side note, I am going to install Vista on my secondary drive in hopes of using my full 4gb of memory. If all goes well I may wipe the SSD(With XP on it) and use Vista as my primary OS. I am not too concerned about the bloat considering the specs of the PC.

It's supposed to be 90 degrees tomorrow...the PC might have to take a day off. lol. I do hope to at least mount the PSU on the chassis cover!

I emailed Bybyte support this morning to figure out what can be done with that button panel, as well as the power board. In the meantime, I mighhhhttt have found a solution to the button panel!

I simply re-routed the wires so that the button panel can sit between the back of the LCD([HL]It does touch the the back of the touch panel, is this ok[/HL]? It's not pressing on any circuitry, just the white backing...) and the circuit board.


Doing this doesn't allow as much flex of the circuit board, but at least no components are touching(except for what I have mentioned).

I would still like to remove that button panel completely if that won't harm the screen. I can always plug it back in if needbe.

Hey Archy, usually the Lilliput has a power connector on the screen itself, and another one on the wiring harness. Either or can be used, so if you have one on the wiring then you can remove that other one.

I was reading your build and I'm not sure what you mean by the DVI connector is hitting the ATX power connector. The DVI should be coming out of the back of the housing if i'm not mistaken?

Also I've noticed on the new Intel motherboards put the ATX power connector in soft of a bad spot smack in the front of the board. I had a similiar problem mounting a plug in style m3-ATX power supply, I had to end up getting a 24pin extension.

-Joe

Always keeping an eye out for me Joe! Thanks again!

I will have to check the board again, but I only noticed the one power connector. The small "power" circuit board has the barrel style jack that connects to the main circuit board via a 2 pin header. I guess I can just run a header from the circuit board to the Opus psu. I have one of these bad boys laying around that I could give a shot.

I did make a mistake about the DVI connection, it's actually the vga connector from the Lilliput. It just so happens that the vga connector from the circuit board hits the ATX 24 pin connector on the motherboard as it is smack in front of the case. I will take a picture if possible once I get home from work!
But basically this is the VGA connector


And the ATX connector in exactly the wrong spot


I will have to look into the 24pin extension, but if I remember correctly the vga connector is hitting the actual mobo connector not the 24 pin cable.

...if that makes any sense at all. lol

Looking at those photos, I wonder if I could mount the whole frame upside down and just flip the image via the screen(I'm pretty sure the 629 doesn't allow that) or within the OS

where did you order the ir extender from?