need suggestion for special motherboard

[davsat01]

I am going to put a PC in my car. The motherboard needs to be as all inclusive as possible. I don't want to have any cards in the slots so that I can minimize the heighth. This is what I'm looking for.

* the processor should be a flat kind (AMD K6 or Celeron) not Slot 1. This machine will have three functions and that is it. 1-Collect data from the serial port from the car's engine (a p90 laptop runs fast enough for this). 2-play MP3's via WinAmp. 3-Possibly run a GPS program.
* Needs to have TV-out. The standard video out will not be used at all. I have a stereo that accepts a/v in NTSC or PAL in either standard or 16:9 format. I would prefer if the video is capable of OpenGL.
* On board LAN
* Would like disk-on-a-chip for fast boot-up.
* four channel audio. I would like to be able to play MP3's from this but I want to be able to have front and rear sound.
* standard ports: 2x serial port, 1x parallel port, 1x PS/2 Mouse Port, 1x AT Keyboard jack, 2x USB port.
* as much on board cache as possible would be great.
* as inexpensive as possible.

Thanx, Dave.

[richamies]

If I put all that in my car, the car would double in value!

[Banti]

The type of MOBO you might need is called a PC104. This is a type name, just as ATX is a type name. This type of MOBO's are used in embedded applications, such as you car project. I believe that the size for thses boards is 4.5in by 4.5in. These boards come with disk-on-a-chip and many of the other features you want. I had some bookmarks on this matter (old interest), but I cannot seem to find them. I will post again if I find the info.

Banti

[Banti]

Here are some mags that have sites to visit.

Circuit Cellar is pretty informative. One of My EE profs use to give us old deptartment copies.
http://www.circuitcellar.com/
http://www.nutsvolts.com/

Sorry, just looked at the sites, and their content has decreased since I last looked at them. You can still check out their links sections for more reference material, and you can also order a free copy of their current mag (I believe).

[This message has been edited by Banti (edited 12-20-1999).]

[rl]

we just put a normal size cpu in a fiends car for mp3's, and its awsome, instaead of using a monitor, we used a palm pilot, with palm amp, and had nothing on the comp but winamp, and mp3's, we just made it boot into winamp, from windoze. its really neet cause all you see is the palm, and it sure is noce haveing 500 songs to choose from.

[Axel]

Unless this is something you are going to try to conceil, why does it have to be so small??

Take the back seat out and bolt a dampening frame to the car and a CPU to that - Most CPU's won't handle the shock of speed-bumps and other road hazards ( Texas mobile speed bumps - armadillos http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif)

Also - why a TV hook-up??

What-ever -

Anyway - sounds more & more like you're looking for a laptop w/ a signal converter for a TV monitor. <<< check out communication specialties, Inc. ScanDo>

If cab space is a consideration, you'll be spending more trying to make it fit in that Yugo than the car's worth.... - Buy a junker Caddy, fix it, then build the system out in the trunk.

Also - you might consider an above cab luggage compartment and build the CPU out in there. - Pick up a used one from U-Haul and save your cab space.

[Zotzmein]

Axel,

A roof mounted luggage compartment? Prior to reading you post, I was having a bad day. You’ve just made it worth getting up this morning.

Regards,

Zotz Mein

PS. If you go with this option davsat01, I expect to see pictures, lots of pictures.

Are you planning on installing this "car PC" into to a mid sixties Volkswagen bug?

[This message has been edited by Zotzmein (edited 12-20-1999).]

[davsat01]

actually it's going into a Mitsubishi Starion that I'm rebuilding. It's going to have 400+hp and 400+ftlb of torque. The stereo has 2-12" Phoenix Gold subs, MB Quart for the corners, and PPI amps (1200 watts).

The engine (fuel and timing - ECU) is programmed via a laptop which I don't have. So I thought why not put a MP3 player in the car that could also program the ECU and allow me to monitor the engine real-time. The car is a hatchback and the subs take up most of the room but there is a false floor under the subs that I could mount the MB in. It is only 2-3/4" high. The video out of the MB will be sent to the stereo head-unit which will be a Pioneer single din cd player that has a 6.5" lcd screen in 16:9 aspect ratio that has a A/V input.

By the way, I'm doing all the work myself and I will try and take pictures along the way. I'm getting the car next week. It has a blown motor and turbo and is yellow. It will be a Fiji Metallic Blue when I'm done.

Dave.

[jad1097]

Dave did't you post this here also? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum5/HTML/001771.html
Here was my reply.
You can buy a stereo/pc for you car for about $1500. But I can't remember who makes it! I will think about it and let you know. Cartronics sell it. If you have one nearbuy.Or just check out your local car stereo shop.
This may or may not be what you are looking for. http://www.autopc.com
This is a clarion car stereo/pc runs on windows CE. I played with it a few months ago and thought it was cool.
What year is it? I had a freind who had a 1984. The dash was digital. First time I rode in it he change the setting on the speado to kph and I thought it was mph. Cool car and quick. My 68 Chevell ate it up though! Sounds like a good system also.I am not sure if the auto pc is what you want but take a look at it and let me know.

[Dkay]

Dave we should race when you get done http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

I have a Chevy s-10 with 650 horsepower
hehehe
The girls love it when I pull the front tires off the ground when we goto the movies.

Oh yeah thats right they HATE it.
I'm the one who loves it. hehehe

Latr,
Dave