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Anyone use their XBox as a Carputer?

2968 Views 40 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  ROC_Barett
I was wondering if anyone has used their X-Box as a Carputer? If all you really want is something that plays MP3's, DVD's, and Video Games, I would think this would be ideal, especially for those who already own an X-Box. The X-Box is essentially a computer with a Pentium 3 derived chip and very good Video Card. Granted, you would have to upgrade the HD on it to store MP3's and games and such. Does anyone know if you could use a Touch Screen LCD with the X-Box? Possibly run MediaCar on it?
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There's already threads about this.


And I hate people that modify they're console systems. It's illegal. :thumbdow:
Why is that bad? Not trying to sound like an ass, I just never knew it was illegal/wrong...
Adding a larger HD to your XBox is not illegal. It just cancels your X-Box warranty. Please get your facts straight. Ever watch TechTV? They show you how to add Linux to your X-Box. It's called developing. I don't think they would do that if it was illegal. As for there already being threads on this, I searched Mr. Smart Alec, and couldn't find the answers to what I was looking for. So Please, instead of wasting your time and mine posting something useless, how bout take that built up frustration and hatred out on something else and just not reply? :eek:h: Sounds good to me.
Listen, as a member of a large Xbox board, I know my shit about the Xbox.


Adding a larger HD is illegal. Chipping it, to add Linux, is illegal. Have you ever, EVER read the label on the bottom of the Xbox? You'll find all of your answers there. And yeah, TechTV does it, that means it's right. I'm surprised Microsoft/Sony/Nintendo hasn't busted their asses because of the PROMOTION OF ILLEGAL MODIFICATIONS.

Here... :wink:

And I'm not letting out anger, I'm expressing my opinions on what is right and legit.
So you dont believe that if you pay for something that you should not be able to mod it??? How ridiculous is that?
Illegal? How's that?

Its yours. You own it. You spent the 150-300 beans to buy it. How is modifying it illegal? If you sell it for profit, then it *might* be...
Well being as Microsoft does what they want I am sure they just paid some politicians to pass a queer a$$ law just for them to use. I agree that if you open anything to mod it then you warranty is voided, that is legit. However making it illegal to do what you want to something you paid for is so dumb. I guess if there was a label on the bottome of our cars saying we can mod them then I am sure that "I<3myW8" would never do anything to his car except OEM parts.
lol... Very true JDeer0618. Nevertheless, thanks I<3myW8. I seen that thread before, but didnt find what I was really looking for. I guess the MP3 car forums would probably have a lil more info on this. Thanks anyway fellas. Appreciate it!
PapaPrem said:
I was wondering if anyone has used their X-Box as a Carputer? If all you really want is something that plays MP3's, DVD's, and Video Games, I would think this would be ideal, especially for those who already own an X-Box. The X-Box is essentially a computer with a Pentium 3 derived chip and very good Video Card. Granted, you would have to upgrade the HD on it to store MP3's and games and such. Does anyone know if you could use a Touch Screen LCD with the X-Box? Possibly run MediaCar on it?
Xbox would be the ideal "carputer" if all you wanted to get out of it was mp3's dvd's and video games.

Would you even need a VGA screen for that or maybe a TFT non-vga would do the job just as good.
Listen, as a member of a large Xbox board, I know my shit about the Xbox.
:crazy:
Would that be Jack or Bull by any chance?

There is no basis in law for this claim, *even* if it is stated by micr0$0ft to be illegal this is one of these non-enforcables that are put there to discourage anyone with a couple of creative brain cells to rub together from fixing the limitations of the product.
You could probably get away with teh TFT non-VGA but you would not have the touch screen ability that PapaPerm is looking for. But I agree using a X-Box would be very cheap though I am not sure that Microsoft has fixed the heat problems that an X-Box had when it first came out and sitting in the trunk I am sure it gets pretty hot back there.
So the question is still out there... (I'm not getting involved in the legality squabble):

Can a touch screen be added to the X-Box, and would it work?
Also, would it be able to run Media Car?

I'd be interested in this mod too, if it worked.

Jimmy :)
I'm not 100% sure that what I'm about to say is right, but it makes sense. (To me at least)

Touch screen is usually connected via usb, which the xbox doesn't have so I wouldn't think you could use the touch screen. Also, I don't think media car would run since it's a windows application and on the xbox after you hack it you still don't have windows.

If you want to go the xbox route you can just get a non-vga non-touch screen, and hook it up to the xbox, and hook up the audio to your head unit. Get a wireless xbox controller, and you should be good to go.
Well, the Xbox would now be a good CarPC, I'll admit it. Fine, you mod it.

As for heat issues, there were none, but if it suits you better, I'll say the fixed it with a better disk drive (Samsung as apposed to Thompson), and a more efficient fan. So yes, it'll be okay in your trunk, as long as you aren't using it 10 hours straight in a parking lot in Arizona. :thumbup:

Make sure your wireless controller is a radio frequency. So aren't, which means you'd have to point in the general direction of the Xbox to use it. Doesn't sound fun sitting backwards in a car seat.

There are now adapters that'll allow you to attach your Xbox up to a VGA moniter. I'm assuming if a VGA works, then a touch screen may.

Keep in mind your headunit should support Dolby, as the Xbox uses Dolby programming in most of its games. I think.



Just next time, calm yourself and

take that built up frustration and hatred out on something else and just not reply? :eek:h: Sounds good to me.
Sounds good to me too.
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I gathered a little more info on this. I'll post whatever I learned in a little while, since I just got home from work. Hopefully we can all share some info constructively and figure how to make this work. I definitely want to go full speed ahead on this project. Thanks to all who replied.
PhatRabitzz, the ports where you can plug in your controllers are actually USB ports and you can buy an adapter so which allows you to plug in a USB mouse and keyboard. The only thing about running a tough screen is that the program that controls it would have to be ported to Linux for the XBox and I dont think they have one.

JD
I know that some of the touch screens out there have linux drivers available so this should be a viable option, problem is I don't know if they are source or binary. If there are source versions available you could be up and running relatively pain free.
modding xbox, chipping passat

I<3myW8, according to your logic, chipping and modding your W8 IS illegal as well. But I am sure you've modfied your VW to a point where VW will refuse to repair your modded setup. Will they say it's illegal? NO - they'll just say you've voided your warranty by chipping your engine, etc.
When my engine died after 1 year, they replaced it. Had I tampered with it, they would either refuse to touch it or demand $10k to replace it.
Illegal means if cops saw it, they would confiscate it. Voiding your warranty is not illegal, regardless of what Microsoft thinks or says.
IMHO, as long as you pay for games that you play on xbox, you are ok. If you wish to run Linux, stream video from Tivo, play music, store all your games on the HD, you are ok. (legally and morally)
MS doesn't make money selling xbox hardware. They are actually loosing money on every console they sell. They make money by collecting royalties from publishers. Dependng on how bad MS wants certain game on their platform, they may lower the cost, help with programming, co-market and offer other incentives.
It's only a matter of time (2 years?) before new consoles come out and xbox (other consoles too) become overpriced doorstops. So excuse me and other loyal xbox fans who shelled out $300 on a console when it just came out and are trying to get the most out of our investment.
Speaking of investment, Microsft is hurting so bad, they are giving back 75 billion dollars back to shareholders. (i was being sarcastic) Check today's news or finance.yahoo.com msft
Finally, what will you do with your xbox once Microsoft stops supporting and selling games for it? Will you throw it away or try to recycle/reuse it?

*hacking your xbox is the environment-friendly thing to do* :)
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I<3myW8 is correct legally, as MS uses the DCMA from preventing mods to the XBox. Now would MS come after you? No. But they would go after mod chips makers etc... Your just not worth their time.
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