As i am just showing the install, i posted in Rides since its a bunch of pictures... Move if necessary.

I just finished reinstalling my car computer. I updated it and cleaned up the install quite a bit from my toolbox i had. Its nowhere near finished... but chances are it wont ever be.

I got a new computer that almost has more processing power than my desktop and almost twice as much as my laptop.

New Computer (Asus Pundit Socket 939):


Mounted in the trunk:


Mess of USB and audio cables:


It looks clean! With the slot-loading DVD burner that will eventually be in the dash.


My front end (the software that runs the musics and stuff) Road Runner'* main screen:


Music Screen:


GPS:


Like it? Its about THE most handy thing i have put in my car.


Future Project... security system (Time lapsed still shots recorded)


I got those for $5 a piece!

Sweet install. That will look really clean when you get everything installed in the dash. I would love to have something like that if i had the extra funds.

hah, I have wanted to do one of those for SO long. you mind posting every single detail of what you did, how you did it, where you got everything? most importantly, WHAT software/OS is that?!

Also, does it have bluetooth and WiFi? those would be the ultimate cheap addons if the OS supports it.

edit: nvm on the wifi, i see the linksys pci card.

I'm wondering about the computer... is driving (and all the bumps that come with it) going to damage the hardrive? Or is that a flash hardrive?

This has been a work in progress over 4 years... so i dont think i remember EVERY detail... But ill work something up


Well i've been using the same 80 GB hard drive for 3 years in the car and its been holding up *knock on wood* It has even been mounted horizontally the whole time (for the best durability you want to mount them on edge so the standard bumps dont jar the heads into the platters obviously.. but it takes up 4x as much vertical space) I think the bonne has a nice enough ride to keep it safe

I am going to get a laptop hard drive in there when this one finally gives up.


Heres my list of equipment and approximate price i paid for it when i got it.

Asus Pundit Barebones Computer -- 160
-AMD 3200+ 64bit processor -- 120
-1 GB 3200 DDR -- 100
-Trendnet 54G Wireless PCI Card -- 20
-Zoom Bluetooth 2.0 Class 1 adapter-- 24
-M2-ATX 12v to ATX power supply/ shutdown controller -- 80
-80gb WD hard drive -- 0 <-had it laying around
-GPS15 Garmin Board GPS -- 50

Xenarc 700TSV 7" touchscreen -- 400
Creative USB Soundcard --30
7 port USB hub --10

It runs windows XP that i slimmed WAY down using NLite (a free pre-installation widows modding program) It cold boots in less than 30 seconds. Once that boots its runs a program called Road Runner. It is the front end you see there in the bottom pictures. It is basically a big-button controller for winamp and it will run external programs like iGuidance for GPS.

It also works with a phone control software so once i get a microphone i will have it answer my cell phone over bluetooth after showing me whos calling and pausing the music.

And thats all i can think of at the moment.

that system looks sweet... great job man and would like to see more pics as you complete it.

I have watched your progress on this since the first time I saw it. I just hope one day I will be able to get my carputer idea off the ground.

WOW I LIKE IT ALOT!!! Were did you by the computer? and the screen and accessiors?? Was it hard? I'm thinking about maybe doing that to mine!! Do you get the radio stations in good to?

Thanks alot

-Erich

wow, thats really cool, nice work

Since i have an AMAZING head unit, i run everything though the head unit still. All my am/fm is on the HU and volume controls and such.

It had its ups and downs.. some stuff was really hard (mostly the custom stuff, and software stuff i dont understand) and some was easy (just plugging everything in).

The computer was bought at Newegg.com... screen on ebay.