New carputer

[dvs_dsm]

I've finally got most of my parts together for my computer in my car. All together, I think I'm going to spend $450-$500 for a slot fed DVD player, GPS unit, datalogger, internet machine thats going to be able to take video of me driving and going to be controlled by a touchscreen moniter. Not exactly sure on how I'm going to mount everything yet, but I'm sure I'll figure out a fairly clean install. Heres some of my specifications for the ones interested in doing the same thing.

HP- E PC: -$100
733mhz celeron processor
128mb Ram
8GB hard drive
CD rom
also came with:
DC car power supply
AC home power supply
Bluetooth adapter
Keyboard
Mouse
Desktop speakers

Upgrades in process/finished:
20GB Hard drive- Out of old computer
Slot fed CD-R/DVD drive- $50
GPS w/ Roads and Streets- $100
USB Wifi adapter- $50
1.3mhz Celeron processor-$20
Web cam- $30
Datalogger cable/software -$20
256mhz Ram- No more than $20
Touchscreen moniter -Yet to be determined

I can find some of the stuff cheaper but I didn't want to wait. I'll help anyone build one if you'd like.

[dsm_gsx97]

Upgrades in process/finished:
20GB Hard drive- Out of old computer
Slot fed CD-R/DVD drive- $50
GPS w/ Roads and Streets- $100
USB Wifi adapter- $50
1.3mhz Celeron processor-$20
Web cam- $30
Datalogger cable/software -$20
256mhz Ram- No more than $20
Touchscreen moniter -Yet to be determined

I can find some of the stuff cheaper but I didn't want to wait. I'll help anyone build one if you'd like.

You ever look into Mini ITX boards or Nano ATX boards? The traditional ATX board is 300mm x 240mm. These are half that size. I'd look into those before you do anything. Mini ITX boards are 170mm x 170mm (6.75" x 6.75") and Nano ITX boards are 12 cm x 12 cm (sorry only dimensions I could find).

You can do some pretty sweet stuff with these boards. This site below is the best place to read about them. Google for best prices.

http://www.mini-itx.com/

As far as a hard drive I'd use a laptop hard drive since its made for vibrations and stuff, IMO.

What you need a web cam for in a car?

[cyberslug]

I agree with the mini-itx stuff. Via is making some really complete compact stuff these days. Also, consider a CF card for the OS and critical software (dsmlink?). They are just IDE devices like drives but they are flash on the inside, slow but unbreakable.

[Kibo]

The downside of using a CF card is that they have a limited number of write cycles before the media degrades. Thus, if data is being written and re-written during normal operation (as is the case with many PC OS), a CF card is probably not the best choice. They make much more sense in an embedded / RT app.

[dvs_dsm]

Well the web cam is to be able to take video goin down the road, I'm not sure how big the board is for this computer, but I'll measure the entire thing tonight and let you know. I finally have everything running the way I want, I just need to install it into my car. Once its all done I'll definately post how it works for me. The big downside is I am going to have to move my car radio up to my vents, so I can keep the basic radio and factory speakers working. Otherwise, I'll have to install a 4 channel amp to run my factory speakers.

[dvs_dsm]

I measured my case last night and it came to be 4 1/2 X 9 1/2 X 11 inches