Operation Zero B

D.Roberts · 3 Jun 2011 at 22:35

Hi all I have never posted a build log in here but this will be a little different to what you lot are used to

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This was an old laptop I have decided it would be better in my car so here I am breaking it to do so.

I will start with a very unraveling picture

can you guess what it is yet?.

Oh ok here are a few more

Sorry i should have took some pics of me making these maybe tomorrow when I make the front and backs

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This will not be updated very often due to Zero B

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D.Roberts · 4 Jun 2011 at 16:00

Ok day two

I have got the case all cut out now I will add a few more holes later on though

Ok I all so have the modified CPU cooler done :O

Damn it seems I have not got one of the result that's a to do

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I all so need to get a CPU cooler like this

Once I have them parts I can fire it up on me desk

Thanks

D.Roberts · 5 Jun 2011 at 18:23

Day 3

I managed to mod cables so that I did not have to run the HD in the normal place as that would make it very wide

She is a live

So I have to make cables for the DVD drive now and fit the case together.

Then I need to extend the cable from the LCD screen as at the moment it only has about 5" of cable that's not enough to go where I need it.

D.Roberts · 9 Jun 2011 at 16:06

Update 3

I have modded the monitor cable and made all cables for the HD and DVD drive

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Evoss · 9 Jun 2011 at 16:20

PC for the car, haven't viewed a build thread like this. Will be nice to see the final outcome. Looking good to go so far.

Evoss

Gepetto · 10 Jun 2011 at 08:26

What are you going to run from it? Is it simply going to be a PC, or will it be used to control anything in the car itself?

Does it need any particular type of mounting, as I'm sure it will be affected more by vibration than it would have been as a laptop.

Looks really interesting, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it. :cool:

D.Roberts · 10 Jun 2011 at 08:53

Hi there thanks for the comments.

The car its going in will be very old so dont expect it to be going in a shiny BMW or any thing

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I will be hooking it up to my stereo in the car and the OBD2 port

so I will get live engine data when driving.

It will off course have all me music on it,films for the kids,satnav all so hands free for me phone etc etc.

It will be powered by a simple in car laptop charger as I cant afford to purchase a nice shiny specialized charger they is on the market

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I wonder if any one has figured out what Zero B is

Shayper · 10 Jun 2011 at 11:33

Zero budget?

Nice idea mate

D.Roberts · 10 Jun 2011 at 12:11

Shayper said:
Zero budget?

Nice idea mate

yep hehe

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I have not spent a penny on it nor do I intend to well even if I wanted to I couldn't hahahahahaha.

I hope to do a little today but me back is peeing me off today so we shall see.

Sgt Tackleberry · 11 Jun 2011 at 10:02

nice job looks really cool

... love the sticker "laptop inside"

D.Roberts · 11 Jun 2011 at 13:08

Sgt Tackleberry said:
nice job looks really cool ... love the sticker "laptop inside"

Hi there

That aint no sticker its been engraved but only about 0.002" then I painted it and removed the excess :0

D.Roberts · 14 Jun 2011 at 15:07

Well its probably not gonna happen now what a crap week.

First I found me in car charger would not work so ordered one for £6.99 I thought well kinda cheap (had to get a mate to order it for me as I had no moneys in me PP etc).

Then went to test it and the f ing screen dont work on first turn on its very very dim then I see nothing I assume the inverter has gone but meh.

So yeah stripped me car done loads for f all.

Only thing I can do is if any one has a laptop like this etc to donate it for spares mainly the inverter but then it could be the screen,cabling I dont know.

So yep gutted as hell here real gutted.

Diggsy · 14 Jun 2011 at 15:54

Did you not say you had modded the LCD cable? Thats the 1st thing I would check. There might be a dodgy connection there.

D.Roberts · 14 Jun 2011 at 16:47

hey mate.

Nah I did check the output voltage of the inverter and its not even above 10v where its meant to be about 800v.

Any ways will have to wait till I can get a donation of an old one or get very very lucky and fix it but that aint gonna happen tbh.

P.S

I did do a continuity test on the cable seemed ok.

D.Roberts · 14 Jun 2011 at 21:26

though its irrelevant as me screen now dont work but here was some more pics

the screen does lift and twist toward driver

the screen lift and twist mechanism worked perfectly

Defiant306 · 16 Jun 2011 at 22:28

Interesting build, keep the progress coming. Xsara VTR by any chances?

Evoss · 16 Jun 2011 at 23:08

Want to see the finished product

D.Roberts · 16 Jun 2011 at 23:13

Interesting build, keep the progress coming. Xsara VTR by any chances? --------------------------sure is

Want to see the finished product--------------------------me to

I wont be able to do any thing till I get a replacement screen assembly.
I think it is the inverter BUT I cant be sure so I am aiming for a screen assembly and wiring etc.

Thanks for the interest.

I definitely have not given up but I am trying to do it on zero budget due to lack of funds so will have to wait for a donation on laptop parts hahaha.

Shame would have been in and done by the week end but meh.

tidusjar · 16 Jun 2011 at 23:52

Thats a really cool mod! I'd love to see the finish build!

D.Roberts · 17 Jun 2011 at 11:32

Thanks I hope to get it done ASAP really but we shall see