kvp35

Hello,


I just finished installing my old HP ZE2000 laptop in the Z, thought I'd share some pictures and ask a few questions.


Laptop:

AMD Sempron 2800+ (1.6 GHz, 256KB L2 cache)
512MB DDR SDRAM
60GB 4200RPM HDD
Dual Layer DVD RW drive
ATI Radeon Xpress 200M video card with 128MB shared video memory
Internal Broadcom wireless b/g card
Windows XP Home
15" TFT XGA BrightView screen (1024 x 768 max resolution)
6-cell battery

Ports:

2 USB 2.0,
1 PCMCIA card slot
Headphone
Microphone
56K modem
Ethernet LAN
S-Video out
VGA out

Running:

MediaEngine
(I can't get RideRunner to operate I get a corrupt file error message on installation attempt)

Display:

7" Xenarc Touchscreen Monitor
Wired VGA

Audio:

Via 5-Channel FM Modulator (Connects to Radio Port directly)

Rear View Camera:

Tested Not Yet Installed
Wired RCA

WHAT IM WAITING FOR:

1. Web Cam (Good For Challenging Tickets)
2. USB Blue tooth adapter

WHAT I NEED TO GET:
1. GPS Antenna+Software

QUESTIONS:
I want to connect my blue tooth cell phone to my laptop, not just for transferring files but also as an on-screen (Xenarc) interface.

What software do I need to accomplish this?

For example. I can select "Make a call" or something similar on the monitor, a keypad would be displayed that I could touch, press send call, and then communicate via the cars audio system.

Does any front-end software offer this option?

chopperman

iTrader: (9)

Nice and clean. How did you hook up the power source.

JEKL

iTrader: (24)

I wish I could be more help. But I did want to say that it looks great. Did you have much luck at MP3car.com?

w8lifter21

iTrader: (1)

Looks great! I like the web cam idea

folgrz

iTrader: (20)

looks great. I've alwasy wanted to embark on a carputer project.

chopperman

iTrader: (9)

Is that a camera between the gauge cluster? You like watching yourself drive

kvp35

haha yeah there is, you can see the IR in the pics. I just hooked it up temp to make sure it worked properly before I started drilling holes and ripping up the trunk of the car.

Ill post better pics in a day or two

Spork

iTrader: (6)

Nice. I have a spare computer I'd like to put into my car, and have it record video, but I gotta research a lot for it and don't feel like spending money on a proper power supply, etc. :/

kvp35

Improperly i'm sure, its a temp solution. I have a AC/DC inverter that the laptop power cord is connected to.

From there I opened up the inverter and ran two wires (+/-) to the power outlet and spliced it in.

Start up is achieved through a momentary push button switch mounted in the center coil holder. The other end is hardwired to the power leads on the laptop (required opening and soldering).

When I get in, I hit the button and it starts up (I usually let the car idle for 4-5min anyway. It loads in 2-3 min max)

When I get out I hit the shutdown button in MediaEngine and it commences a proper shutdown. Since when I turn the car off the hardwire power gets cut the laptop just switch's to battery power for the 1-2min shutdown period.

I've had no issues yet however I plan on venting the space and installing a couple PC fans to keep the air circulating.

More PIX TO COME

Spike100

Very nice. I've always thought that a laptop is the way to go with a CarPC.

--Spike

pcdoctor

kvp,
I'm going to send you a PM. Thx.

Peteski

very Nice!

codek

That screen looks nice but I see it for $300 everywhere. Are these ever gonna go down in price?