carputer

[jazzlara]

let me run this idea by you as I need advice/direction...

1. installing custom design form factor laptop in the glove compartment equip with winxp pro, 11B wireless, GPS, BIG HDD. hmm, heat? should probably create custom ventalation to glove. (best power source for laptop?? and how?)

2. 7" or so touch screen mounted (this is the issue, first, do screens allow for VGA connections from laptop? if not, how do I connect the two?)(Also, I would like to keep the stock head unit, where oh where can i mount the screen? Do they have or make a single din motorized screen that will fit in the lil' tray that pops out for change and such?

Bottom line is I want GPS ($80 or so for the receiver, and $0 for gps software as I have it already) access to my home network, movie playing capabilities, war driving? It does however, need to be able to come out in the event I sell my car. and I would love to not spend a fortune for all this. even a cheap touch screen would be cool with me.

Please help guys, advise and/or recommendations. This tool would be great for my job, and allow me to work even in traffic.

[jazzlara]

oh ya, and how would i integrate audio into all this? didnt even think about that. is that possible? is it just through aux cable? do our stock head units have an aux port?

['00vegas-solara]

Great idea! Go for it. I speak from experience. I've had a Carputer in my Solara for almost a year now and I would never go back. I used to have a web site where you could see some pics but it is no more. PM me your E-Mail and I'll send you a wiring diagram of what I've done.

Check out this site for all the info you'll need.
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=60940&highlight=solara

[jazzlara]

PM'd, thanks!!!

[skadoo323]

'00vegas-solara has a great carputer setup. I too was concerned about taking the equipment out if i sold the car. I went a different route than '00vegas-solara and instead of placing the lcd where the stock radio was, i kept the radio but used a gooseneck mount for my touchscreen lcd. i have my laptop mounted in the trunk where i made a rack for it so i still can use my trunk space. goodluck with your install and def talk to '00vegas-solara his setup is def he best one i have seen so far in a solara.

[jazzlara]

^^dead on, 00vegas is helping bunches. excuse me for being stupid, but what is a gooseneck mount. id like to see. Also, any pics of your setup? so, can you have your radio and laptop music going at once ??? now im confused...

BTW, i have an amp and subs, is this gonna matter? i used a line converter to pull audio for the amp..so im thinking its fine but want reassurance b4 i do ANYTHING

[skadoo323]

I will try to get some pics up either tomorrow or thurs, i've been busy with work and finals coming up. The gooseneck mount works by one end connected to the passenger seat, by the existing bolt. It is flexible, so you can adjust it in any position. Beneficial when you don;t want to get distracted by the screen or when someone in the passenger seat wants to just watch a movie, or when you take your car to get serviced and you do not want the screen to be out, or if you are parking in a shady area, you can just unscrew the lcd off of the goosemount. As far as laptop sound going into my factory head unit, I purchased an auv in converter from cruthfield for $60, I think circuit city has these as well. They are made by usa spec. I haven't had any issues with it at all. It plugs into where a toyota cd changer wire would be connected in the back of the stock head unit. Very easy to install. Then on the other end most models have two rca inputs. In theory you can have sound going into the head unit from a computer and another source, but you switch through the source through the head unit. The aux in coverter fakes the stock head unit to think it is a cd changer. You can't have both the radio and laptop going at the same time, since the laptop's audio will be passed through your head unit. You switch the source you wish to hear from the head unit. The line converter with the amp and subs will not be an issue since that won't really be effected.

[jazzlara]

^thanks

00vegas has been more help than i could have ever imagined. I am going to try and find a good price on a mini itx pc ( i wanna do this right), however, will use a laptop or desktop if need be.

doesnt sound too hard, i just hope to get the right regulator...i think

anyone have any pics of wiring in the relay and/or a general wiring diagram?

also, if I use a regular pc psu, will i need that special power supply card? ...hope i make sense.

thanks