Installing a computer into my car...

[SilthDraeth]

I know I might be able to find this information by browsing car modding sites, but I thought I would start with a place I am familiar with.

I just bought a 2005 Toyota Corolla. I got one of the most basic models. It has the factory cd player, power locks, and cruise control on a 5 speed manual trans. 1.8L engine. No idea what kind of battery/alternator.

I just provided the above information so you know what kind of car I am talking about.

What I would like to do primarily is install a desktop style case in either ATX, or mATX case underneath the driver seat inside my car.

I guess my primary question is what kind of wattage do I want the power inverter to be able to handle on a regular basis?
If I have a 300 Watt Powersupply for the pc, do I need at least a 300 Watt power inverter, or something larger?

In the end I would the pc under the driver seat, with at least 1, to 2 small LCD Displays , or possibly one small LCD, and one Normal 17 inch LCD monitor. I plan mainly to play music(hooked up to car speaker system if possibl), and DVD's.

So in closing, what kind of powerinverter should I look for?

 

[thirdlegstump]

....May I simply ask WHY you want a computer in your car?!!

 

[jose]

Do you want to browse the net, play games, etc. while driving ?? You should probably look for a new insurance co. once they drop you...

Regards,
Jose

 

[SilthDraeth]

Yes I would like to do all of the above.

Geez, why ask stupid questions like that? This is a serious question. Obviously a few benefits of having a coimputer in my car.
Huge music library via hard drive.
Movies Via hard drive for my kid during road trips
GPS/ Map system for navigation.
That is all I really plan, not gaming or movie watching while driving. So any serious answers?

 

[lowelo7798]

First of all you'll need a very good battery that is made specifically to handle extra accessories in a car.

Get the optima battey yellow top: Which i believe is the best battery out there.
OPTIMA YELLOW TOP

As for your computer; Fry's sells computer cases that are very compact. I.E. cases that are a size of a Gamecube. And just build the computer with the components that support Video output, Satellite Internet.... ETC.

 

[TwoBills]

Do a search for carputers.

 

[amdguy]

why don't you just get a laptop and use 3M velcro to attach it somewhere geeez

get the IBM X40 or something and it will end up cheaper than you modding ur whole car

if you want GPS you need to buy a receiver which is like $300

 

[ponyo]

Laptop is the way to go. Add a card with antenna out and attach a Cantenna. Done. Go Wardrive.

If you insist on small shuttle like computer, get Via/Cyrix based ones as these use very low power and are very cheap.

 

[BW86]

Originally posted by: lowelo7798
First of all you'll need a very good battery that is made specifically to handle extra accessories in a car.

Get the optima battey yellow top: Which i believe is the best battery out there.
OPTIMA YELLOW TOP

As for your computer; Fry's sells computer cases that are very compact. I.E. cases that are a size of a Gamecube. And just build the computer with the components that support Video output, Satellite Internet.... ETC.

also your probably going to need a big alternator

 

[Christobevii3]

A computer takes like 300 watts to run, you won't need a bigger alternator.

I would look at an itx system and a touch screen. They make dc power supplies for them. Just ask mini-itx forums where to start. I don't remember the software that had a touch screen interface for windows but it is probably what you want.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

God, you people with the "OMG INSURANCE DVD DRIVING" are dumbasses.

To the OP: - Get an account at MP3Car and ask people with their head outside their butt.

- M4H

 

[zerodeefex]

mini-itx is the way to go for you. get a nice epia or something, the 1 GHz should work fine. I've seem them run fine off a 50 watt psu with a DVD drive and a 250 GB hard drive.

www.mini-itx.com

 

[Wahsapa]

mini-itx, learn it, love it

you can find power brick kits for your car that can run mini-itx boards, they are low power and low profile but are very flexable and capable of running whatever programs.

like the post above me check out
http://mini-itx.com/
and
http://epiacenter.com/

edit: i actually made myself a shopping list for my carputer, might help you out.
Casetronic 138(you might want to look into a smaller case)
90w psu(i think morex makes a mini-itx car psu)
Via EPIA MII 12000
Terratec Aureon 7.1 Space/M-Audio Revolution 7.1(for sound, if you dont want a pci card you can get a much smaller case. an add on card for audio is only if you have a high end audio system in your car, otherwise onboard sound should be fine.)
Panasonic CW-8123-B CD/RW+DVD
Slimline CD to Desktop IDE adapter
Seagate Momentus 7200.1 2.5" PATA
2.5" to 3.5" IDE cable 44 pin - 40 pin
Lilliput 7" wide screen TFT LCD display w/touch screen
PCMICA Wi-Fi card + antena
CompactFlash Bluetooth + bluetooth keyboard and mouse

 

[natto fire]

To OP: My friend and I installed a carputer into his '92 Integra GS-R. I don't know about your car's electrical system but for his car we did not have to change the battery or alternator. A computer does not use that much power, especially when paired with an LCD. I believe we used a 280w inverter, it might have been less. The monitor only used 38w, not sure about the computer. Obviously it's not something you can sit there and use with your car turned off but the inverter never tripped with the car running. Good luck and have fun.

BTW: Be prepared to replace hard drives.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: SilthDraeth
Yes I would like to do all of the above.

Geez, why ask stupid questions like that? This is a serious question. Obviously a few benefits of having a coimputer in my car.
Huge music library via hard drive.
Movies Via hard drive for my kid during road trips
GPS/ Map system for navigation.
That is all I really plan, not gaming or movie watching while driving. So any serious answers?

all done more simply and better with dedicated equipment. get an archos or some other portable vid player for video... or one of those portable dvd players that runs divx too.
gps requires touch screen + voice recognition for usability if your not going to kill your children trying to use it.
attach an ipod to your stereo.

 

[lowelo7798]

To OP: My friend and I installed a carputer into his '92 Integra GS-R.

92 GS-R........??!?!?! Wow that is hard car to find now a days... sorry its off topic just wanted to get that off my chest

 

[Trey22]

Another vote for mini-itx.com!

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: lowelo7798

To OP: My friend and I installed a carputer into his '92 Integra GS-R.

92 GS-R........??!?!?! Wow that is hard car to find now a days... sorry its off topic just wanted to get that off my chest

Yeah, the worst part is he totaled it, only 5,000 of them made it to these shores. That B17A engine is to die for!

 

[nickaquilina]

all i can say is what a stuiped idea

 

[LanFear]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
....May I simply ask WHY you want a computer in your car?!!

Originally posted by: jose
Do you want to browse the net, play games, etc. while driving ?? You should probably look for a new insurance co. once they drop you...

Regards,
Jose

LMAO

 

[castun]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
....May I simply ask WHY you want a computer in your car?!!

Why do people mod their cases with cathode tubes, windows, stickers, and the sort? Why do people put the same kind of stuff on their cars? I think the answer here is simple....WHY NOT?

 

[Confused]

As M4H said, sign up for an account at MP3Car.com.

I'm a member over there, and you'll get much better responses than the "OMFG WTF DO YOU WANT TO DO THAT?" you will get here.

A word of advice though. Don't use a 17" monitor (you'll never fit it anywhere), get yourself a Xenarc 700TS, don't use an invertor, use an Opus 150W power supply. Both of these are available from the store at MP3Car.com.


Garry

 

[wseyller]

What you need is Drivesoft. I saw it on MTV, show called Pimp My RiDe.

I found the text below in a different forum. About the only info I could find, but this is new on the market.





We do not like to advertive products on fourms but since you ask i have placed below the same info we email our customer.

This reply is in regard to your inquiries about our Drivesoft System products. The responses to our products have been overwhelming for us here at Drivesoft and for our Authorized Dealers. I want to apologize for sending such an impersonal email that may or may not cover all of your questions or comments.

The intent of this email is to answer some of the most common questions....
? Retail Price $2900 to $3400
? What can you expect to buy for the above retail price... 7" LCD Touch Screen, Main Unit with Drivesoft Software (DFS Pre-Loaded), External DVD Drive, GPS Reciever, IR Remote Controller, Wireless or USB Keyboard/Mouse with RF Reciever. DFS will include at least the following... FM, TV, XM, CD, MP3, DVD, VCD, Navigation, Car-Cam, Picture Viewer, email, internet, Wndows XP and more. See website for additional hardware and software details.
? We have had a lot of inquiries about specifications such as processor speeds, system ram, operating systems, etc... However we do not plan on disclosing this information, since the specifications are continuously changing and improving due to computer industry standards. In an effort to not increase pricing, Drivesoft will optimize Drivesoft System products with the necessary components that are required to keep up with the demmand of multimedia standards and the computer industry standards.
? Due to the great response from audio/customization shops, it may be as long as 45 to 60 days before an authorized dealer will be available in your area. We will keep you informed of these developments at the Drivesoft Website and by email. In the event that no authorized dealer becomes available in your area, then Drivesoft will consider selling it directly to you. However, Drivesoft recommends that you seek the services of a local audio shop to ensure a profesional installation with the benefits of installation warranty.
? Note: Pricing, Specifications and Features can change without notice.

If you are seriously interested in purchasing the Drivesoft System as described above...
Send email with subject line as follows... "Consumer Drivesoft System Inquiry" to sales@drivesoft.net

Drivesoft appreciates your patients... We have your information on file and will keep you informed.

Jack-Drivesoft-PMR
MadMike-WCC-PMR

 

[Confused]

If you want to pay 3x more than what you need to, then yeah, get DriveSoft :roll:

The MP3Car community is providing free advice/software which are just as good, if not better, than this "DriveSoft" stuff.


Confused

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: lowelo7798
First of all you'll need a very good battery that is made specifically to handle extra accessories in a car.

Get the optima battey yellow top: Which i believe is the best battery out there.
OPTIMA YELLOW TOP

As for your computer; Fry's sells computer cases that are very compact. I.E. cases that are a size of a Gamecube. And just build the computer with the components that support Video output, Satellite Internet.... ETC.

:thumbsup: for yellow tops

yeah what was mentioned earlier, visit the Mini-ITX website. Tiny, cheap, great for cars.