Thread: 2000 BMW 328Ci (e46) - laptop install

I was able to make a mount for my screen and bezel without having to sacrifice this plastic radio bracket to the cause. It's probably easier if you use the bracket and $40 isn't so bad for a part such as this, but I thought I'd at least chime in to say that it's not absolutely necessary. You can see the method I used in the photos in the HOWTO Build a removable screen bezel in the Fabrication forum.

Hmmm... I didn't cut any pieces. I had the GPS unit there before, which took up both slots already (my ac unit was already in the lower deck, didn't have to move it). You must be thinking of another e46 install.

Hark, do you by any chance have a picture of how the wires from the IBM Dock's power button are supposed to be connected to the momentary switch? The pictures in the post by lebshiff21 are no longer available.

Assuming the button is as below:

1 ---- 3
.|----|4
2 ---- 5

Which wires goes with which to the momentary switch's 2 poles?

Also, what type of momentary switch did you get? Is it an NC (normally closed) or NO (normally open)?

Thank you so much!!

Hark,

I hope you do not mind a few questions, because it seems I am going to be following your path with my BMW x3 install.

1.What was the cause of your power supply shut down issues? You said that it was fixed bypassing the heat-shut down ? I have same controller and a IBM t20 laptop so this is a concern I had going in.

2. Have you solved the low volumn issue with sound from the laptop through the HK amp?

3. What connectors did you use to connect to the stereo 6 pin wires? Did you find a source of BMW connectore or tailed connectors?

Any other gotchas to avoid ??


Thanks !

1 - power supply shutdowns were caused by two things: iGo power adapter (they didn't work for me, used Targus power adapter instead), and the uSDC20D's temp sensor (which I disabled).

2 - Have not solved this yet - for now it's ok (at it's loudest volume, I can hear it fine most of the time, I think it psychologically bothers me that it's limited). I'm saving up to get new amp/speakers and fix it permanently.

3 - I used a bmw wiring harness I bought from cardomain.com (scoche I believe).

Other gotchas - I wish I put a usb port up front somewhere, for flash card reader access, etc. - will do that soon; the Xenarc 700TSV isn't very bright during the day, sort of disappointed with that

You mentioned that you're using a T20 - you may want to make sure that powerstrip will work with it, so you can display the touchscreen's native resolution (for Xenarc, it's 800x480). I originally bought a T22 for this, but powerstrip wouldn't work with the T22's video card. Native resolution was a priority for me - I didn't want it looking blurry. Other gotchas - use the same grounding block that the rest of your equipment uses.

Hark, Thanks for the responce! I am trying to pick up a "cheap" IBM Ac dc ps from ebay. The t20 seems to "prefer" the 72 watt ver. Though I see no reason it would not work on a 70 watt, but heat could build up faster.

My first pass through this project is just to have all the controls, and displays work from the oem indash and steeringwheel controls. (I'll use the python code projects from sourceforge) When that is done I'll start down the touch screen route.

Thanks again!

Hark the install is looking good.

I am having the same power problems with my Compaq Presario R3000. I have tried the Targus adapter and it would work for a little while and just stop. I got a Kensington 120 watt ac/dc adapter and it is doing the same thing, even with no usb hooked up at all. Getting fustrated and not sure what to try next.

Originally Posted by ODYSSEY05

Hark, do you by any chance have a picture of how the wires from the IBM Dock's power button are supposed to be connected to the momentary switch? The pictures in the post by lebshiff21 are no longer available.

Assuming the button is as below:

1 ---- 3
.|----|4
2 ---- 5

Which wires goes with which to the momentary switch's 2 poles?

Also, what type of momentary switch did you get? Is it an NC (normally closed) or NO (normally open)?

Thank you so much!!

I used 2 and 5, and just connected it to my SDC (no switch). If I had used a switch, I think it would have to be normally open.

Awesome work! Looks real class!

One question thoughm if you could spare me the time to search. I've seen quite a lot of BMW installs, and never an aftermarket amp...
SO how you BMW carpc owners get the sound of the pc to the car's speakers?