53 replies to this topic

[drummerian]

Has anyone got one in their mini? any advice and pics would be much appreciated!

[drummerian]

bump

[paulrockliffe]

I'm in the process of putting one together, though I'm not too far into the project. I have a Mini-ITX motherboard and a tiny hardrive, so the computer works, but it's not in the car yet. I'm using www.mp3car.com as my primary source for research and am Running a program called RoadRunner as the GUI. I'm going to get a touch screen shortly when funds allow, but the project is all tied in with the new dashboard that's going in, so it won't be ready for a couple of months yet I wouldn't have thought.

[hylsan]

its normally hard to get a good PC working during the bumpiness and moist etc, and since the mini is even more bumpier I wonder how long a harddrive would last

Id look into a Linux-distro running from a USB-memorystick if Id wanted a solid PC-system in a mini.
edit: ok, with a 4gb memorystick you might be able to get windows running aswell, and then another to store mp3s etc

Less components aswell

Cheers!
/Hylsan

Edited by hylsan, 29 February 2008 - 08:56 AM.

[roofless]

what about solid state hardrives like on recent macintosh laptops?

[Rob Himself]

http://www.digital-car.co.uk/forum/



R

[hylsan]

what about solid state hardrives like on recent macintosh laptops?

They are really nice, if you can afford it

/Hylsan

[drummerian]

http://www.digital-car.co.uk/forum/



R

yeah i've tried websites like these, the problem is that you cant do a search for Mini to find one installed in a mini because it just shows up a load of unrelated threads! thanks anyway

[paulrockliffe]

The mini must be aboutt he easiest car to do it, you've got a huge expanse of flat wood to put a screen on and loads of options of places to put the computer. On top of that you have virtually full access to everything for getting wires where you want them.

If you don't have back seats it's a bonus as you can mount the PC in the back, otherwise 'd be looking at a case for it, then mounting it under the dash to the left of the heater somewhere.

If you know what you need wiring wise, then you'll be able to work out how best suits you without any pics of other peoples.

I think mine's going to be mounted on the rear seat squab, I'll coem up with a plan for keeping it away from any nasty vibrations.

[Mini Adam]

what about solid state hardrives like on recent macintosh laptops?

They are really nice, if you can afford it

/Hylsan

Slightly off topic but I have a macbook only had it 4 months its what I'm using now!


On Topic: Good luck with your Car PC, I have been looking at these on the web. They look awesome!!

Bit out of my price range though =[ Oh well

If I hadn't have bought my macbook which set me back £830 I'd all ready have a mini!

[drummerian]

pics anyone?

[miller 666]

Hi mate
Not sure if this will help but the best case to use is the voom pc case and i know you can buy kits.
http://www.mini-box....category.101/.f
Hope thats helps for the moment, i know its american but i will find the english site with the kits. Im also looking into car pc's as im hoping to build and sell them and maybe a could do a few on here if people are interested.

*edit* Just found the link.
http://linitx.com/vi...hp?prodid=11825
Its £305 for the kit inc vat although i could make you a kit with more spec for similar money.

Edited by miller 666, 04 March 2008 - 07:46 PM.

[MiNi2iNFiNiTi]

I built one of these from scratch for my Ford Focus, had a touch screen, wireless, webcams, the lot! Had it running for months. I started off with a regular 3.5" harddrive, and ended up 'hibernating and resuming' Win XP off a 512mb compact flash card and IDE adapter. It booted in 10 seconds flat and shutdown just as quick! In regards to computers not liking being bumped around by our british roads, you'd be surpised how tolerant they can be to the cold weather and pot holes.

If you need any advice I'd be more than happy to help.

The only thing I can't provide is photo's as I've sold it all now, and hoping to sell the car aswell soon and buy myself a lil mini instead

Edited by MiNi2iNFiNiTi, 09 March 2008 - 08:17 PM.

[drummerian]

great! and welcome to tmf!!!

[MiNi2iNFiNiTi]

Thanks drummerian, been a long time anonymous visitor and finally decided to register here