Computer Install Question

[eeit232]

Hi everyone, first topic here.

Got my Yaris about a month ago, and I'm thinking of installing a computer. The idea initially was to fit my old aftermarket HU, but in the absence of a Stalk Adapter so I could still use the Steering Wheel controls the idea has ballooned into a computer, as I can get the Steering Wheel controls working with that, plus all the other bells and whistles a computer provides. My question is, has anyone any ideas about somewhere to put the PC in the front, as I want to avoid having to run lots of wires to the boot, and want the CD/DVD up front. I was thinking maybe the side pods, but they have some curvy edges which might prove tricky. Is there anywhere else that anyone has installed one? I'm thinking of replacing the CD player in the dash with the blank fascia, and fitting a 7" touchscreen into it.

[earpl]

been there, done that. i had mine in the boot, running cables for, amp, speekers, touch screen (8"), usb (to a hub in the front) and power etc.

as for mounting the pc, it depends completely on what it is. e.g i'd suggest a mini ITX board with a 12v power supply to avoid the use of an inverter.

the system im building (as i took that system out of my car dude to it not beng fast enough) is a mini (glovebox mounted) itx board, with dvd (slim laptop one) mounted in the dash along with the 8" screen.

the system will handle the following;

*music

*heater controls

*heated screen, aircon etc. (not hazzards of course)

*measure G-force

*speed

*acceleration etc

*intake, engine block, oilsump, exhaust manifold and back box tempretures

* gearbox tempreture

*all four brake disk tempretures

also may i advise mounting HDD vertically, as ive not found a problem knackering hdd's like this. otherwise pay a bit more and use laptop hdd's

[eeit232]

Hi earpl,

Thanks for the response. Glove Box is looking promising, just a shame as the 'Passport' manual fits so nicely in there! I'm looking at mini-ITX with 12V PSU and am hoping to get

music

Satnav

Traffic Avoidance

Mobile Phone integration

DVD/Video

Vehicle Tracking (keep tabs on the GF's whereabouts!)

Web/e-mail

Integrating the Trip Computer / Engine management would be a nice extra too!

Where/how were you thinking of putting the DVD/CD into the Dash?

Will probably fork out the extra cash for Laptop HDD, as its a fairly hostile environment for it!

[eternity575]

yo earp... got any site besides mini-itx.com to buy new m-itx things?

also, do u use media engine? or any other software?

thnx

[earpl]

i was using xp pro, but xp tablet would be better.....

also using blue tooth + wireless. controled the sound system using a symbian moblie phone.

[PaulT]

yo earp... got any site besides mini-itx.com to buy new m-itx things?

also, do u use media engine? or any other software?

thnx

←

You can also get a lot of mini-itx VIA gear from linitx.com, including displays and stuff. I've built a couple of ME6000-based machines including a media pc for home, with stuff from there. They seem pretty efficient.

The ME6000 board has no fans and has an mpeg-2 decoder so it can play back DVDs at full resolution without using much cpu power. Ideal for a car pc too I guess.

I don't know what the driver support is like on Windows. It might not really have enough grunt to run XP, but if you prefer linux you can run Fedora Core 1 with VIA drivers (viaarena.com)and get full power out of the video and 3D chip.

Cheers

Paul.