Just wondering how difficult it would be to convert an old laptop into a carputer? Powering it shouldnt be too difficult as there seem to be plenty of invertors around, but how would you get the machine to auto start with ignition on? Also what about shut down? Any other issues that could be thought off?

 

(Guessing a decent spec P3 (plus 256 / 512mb should boot quick to Windows ME)

Most important is you need to make sure you get one with a TV out connection or has a graphics card that can send a conventional Video signal out the VGA socket. Otherwise you'll need a convertor and they're about £40 and about the size of an invertor.

Good luck mate.

Oh and i forgot to mention the DC power supply was a tenner shipped off ebay!

 

Ideally you should be using a True VGA screen, with VGA connection, rather than a Composite DVD screen. The Resolution and clarity will be very poor unfortunatly in comparison.

True... but you pays your money and takes your pick...

I couldn't sell enough sheep for one of those

Possible future upgrade... I just wanna see if i can pull it off first

Myself my carputer will have a seperate power on swtich next to key ignition. Main thing i am worried about is that the hard disk does not get juddered to death as my car is lowered. A 2.5" laptop hard drive would be more resiliant to shocks but i would still think about some buffering.

 

I could not type & drive my zed at the same time...... :D Just a thought.

Got my laptop off ebay, just waiting for delivery now and i can get this project started

:x: I've hit a wall!!!

You know how i said to make sure the pc has TV out etc... Well after hours of frustration I discovered mine doesn't :smw: :headvswal

 

So now i got to get a VGA convertor :rant:

 

If I'd realised this in the first place I'd have follow Legraths advice above and bought a VGA in-dash!!!! DOH!!

think im going to get a vga in dash anyways to be honest, im after touch screen so i dont need to use the trackpad etc. Also thinking of putting a usb hub / trackpad in the asktray space so i can plug any usb devices in there (ie bluetooth / freeview / flash sticks)

The Pic below shows its straightforward to remove the vents and cut out a rectangular hole in the top part of the centre console panel and pop a 8" TFT monitor in. I found out that the stand the monitor comes with will perch nicely on the cd player that is in the upper stereo DIN slot.

Though i still need to file the uneven edges in the big hole to make it look neat. Or i may put some overlay black vinyl to cover up the rough edges and gap.

 

I left some room at the bottom of the monitor for the vga, usb touchscreen lead and aerial cables to plug into the bottom of the monitor.

 

That looks good mate, and also has the bonus of a slgihtly larger screen in easy access place. Like to see what it looks like in the car, and how you get on with light reflecting on the screen

well this isnt going well, got an email off the person i brought the laptop off on flebay and its dead so hes refunding me. Guess it could have happened after i got it but back to looking again now

Gutted for you mate!

Any idea what the problem is? could just be a dud power supply? might have been an easy fix?

no turns out it wasnt quite as it was being advertised, so that plus a dead hard drive didnt make it a good buy! still looking though

Get a well build lapotp - IBM, Toshiba, Compaq, avoid the lesser brands.

Thats what ive been looking at, was a tosh, but think the guy selling it hadnt really adverised what the machine was, still looking now though, any chance of some pics of your install in the car, looking good so far