To Do list and some progress

So here is the deal...

I installed XP sp3 on the jetway last night. runs great. tried putting minlogon on it, no dice. i have to disable windows file protection, will do that this evening. im creating an nlite install to reinstall a smaller footprint to fit on my flash drive. i will take all unneccesary drivers out and throw in the drivers i need as well as take out features that are unneeded.

As far as fabrication goes... im going to order a double din dash kit along with a bybyte 629 housing. Bybyte says that an ABS version that doesnt require the double stick tape will be out by the end of October. I opted to not create the dash because the abs i was working with warped a bit and it just didnt seem to want to work like i wanted it to. So that gives me plenty of time to do all of the other work. Which is this list:

TO DO:

Software:
nLite XP sp3
Install nLite XP sp3
configure minlogon (done) and EWF
configure boot skin
depending on boot time configure shell to load front end
install roadrunner and gps (delorme)

Hardware:
finish fiberglassing sub box
mount motherboard and peripherals to rack
create amp case for trunk floor
bring power to back
bring monitor and usb to back
wire amps up
replace door 6.5"

It's been a month

and nothing new has happened. I got my RMA'd mobo back. I was moving along pretty well with the fascia plate, but alas, god hath not mercy on me. I left it out in my shop for the month and it became a different shape. warped. so i guess it was better it happening in the shop then in the car with my screen attached to it. so what now?

i'm probably going to buy the actual fascia kit and either make it myself out of the screen bezel or solicit someone (nexson, turbocad) to do it for me. Or I might front panel express it and use anodized aluminum. It would only cost about 30bucks to do that. where as buying the fascia, and having someone make it would be about $250.

also, i have plans to move to london now. which means i must sell my car. so is this work really worth it? maybe... we'll find out.

RMAAA!!! WOOOO!!!!

SCOREE!!! my mobo doesn't work!!! YES!!!

For one reason or another I start it up, boot to xp install then it gets to a ponit and shuts off. weird right? So i try a couple more times. then different hdd. then different cd drive. then im like ok somethings weird. go to the bios... oh there it is... i dont think it should be running at 89degrees Celsius, 29degrees out of its operating range. WTF....

I RMA'd it and am sending it back to newegg tomorrow.

XP SP3 install

Tonight (hopefully) I will install XP onto a dummy ATA drive. I just need to scrounge an old ATX PS and the old hard drive. Shouln't be too hard with all the crap I've got scattered about.

I plan on installing XP SP3, then using nLite to strip it down to all the necessary files. I am going to run it with EWF (Enhanced Write Filter) and HORM (Hibernate Once, Resume Many). I'm going to run roadrunner and haven't decided on the GPS software I will use for navigation. Probably either Delorme Street Atlas, iGuidance 2009, or Garmin Mobile PC.

My main objective right now is to get XP installed and everything running without EWF, HORM, or nLite. This shouldnt be too hard. I then plan on reducing the size from there (under 512mb ideally)

Sub enclosure

I haven't done much more work to the enclosure. Currently I need to sand the sucker down, a bunch. I added a lot of body filler to smooth it out for the next coat of fiberglass. I think itll take about one or two more layers of fiberglass before its ready for the front to be fiberglassed. The front piece of MDF that will hold the sub itself is ready as well, just needs to be mounted, stapled with fleece and coated. and we should have a pretty little enclosure.

We'll see....

Bezel update

So I have made great strides on my bezel. I have cut it from the ABS and mounted the screen opening into it. My next step is to mount the screen frame on the back side and spot putty the whole thing up and sand and test fit. I do need to create the mounting brackets for it still, but that shouldn't take too long (hopefully).

I decided to not place the opening for the dvd drive in yet. I am unsure if I am going to integrate this right away or wait. It was kind of what was holding me up in the first place with the fabrication so I ignored it. Unfortunately the bezel was designed to fit it, so there is some space in the bottom of the bezel now where I can either add it later or I will have to create a new one at another time. Maybe I should just purchase the drive and get it over with?

Door Speakers.. WOOO!!!!

I bought some 6.5" Boston Acoustics SL65's this afternoon off ebay. $145 shipped. Hopefully I wont have any problems mounting them. The installation of these will probably be one of my last steps since they are 4ohm rather than the stock 2ohm.


Order of Work (of final install) - long time yet
I plan on building the sub enclosure and amp rack (false floor) and getting those in and all the wiring ran through first. Then I will install the PC and not give it power. Then I will remove the stock EHU and place the LCD/DVD head into the dash and tap the speaker wires that need to be tapped (unless I decide to run new wire for those too).

Then after all the wires are tapped I will give everything oower, toss in the SL65's, and spend the rest of the day EQing/tweaking.