Hi there
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I am using an old laptop
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(about 18 months old) running Ubuntu and XP Pro
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(sp2) on it.
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The hard drive is 500gb.
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The laptop is used for two things mainly.
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a) Music
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- mp3, mp4 or Video use
b) Running Car diagnostic software
c) Car security
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- Captures front, back inside car video images and also uses GPS software using SIM card, PAYG to monitor the cars location and track it.
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The power supply is 240v from an inverter to the Laptop.
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The laptop can switch off or go in to stand by mode if i need it to do so.
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Most people are over cautious about HDD technology in their cars, as they think bumps and thumps can cause major damage to their HDD.
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Well, yes and no.
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.
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.
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Most of the hard drives today can with stand shocks and bumps.
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Dont get me wrong, you go over a road hump at 90mph then i am sure that could cause damage to your HDD, then again i think it could mess up your Car anyways.
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My head unit is a double din unbranded unit that has a large screen for video play back from the laptop.
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There are two connections that i am using that give me control of my music from the laptop.
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The first is
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.
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.
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a) 3.5mm
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--> 2 phono
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(male) plugs that go in to the back of the head unit.
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b) Video output from laptop that goes in to the back of the head unit.
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Now this is where it can get complicated.
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How do you have access to all the music and videos from your laptop.
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.
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.
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?
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In this case i have a remote control sensor attached to the Laptop and a remote control handset that i can use to change the music etc.
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You can get hardware that you connect to the laptop that will give you visual support on your head unit to go through the music menu etc.
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Previously, using the correct hardware, i could access the full windows screen and go anywhere i wanted to within windows xp.
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The problem with that was that my head unit screen is fairly small and it takes time to focus in what you are doing or what you want to do.
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NOT very practical when your on the motorway doing 70mph
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!
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Thats why, for me the remote control option is better.
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If anyone wants to know more, just ask.
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Cheers