DSMLink

[napkinthief]

I plan on getting a dsmlink setup for tuning my car, and I am looking for the right laptop to use. I plan to have this laptop for use in school, tuning, and a car computer.

School use is simply typing up papers and notes. Tuning is of course the DSMLink. For the car computer, I have a GPS sensor and software package that I won at a sound competition locally, and I want a place to store all my music not on cds.

For the laptop, I was thinking of the Panasonic Toughbooks. I work for a company and can pick one up for under 150$. Its a 500 mhz pIII, 192 ram, and a 20 gb hd. Its about 2" thick, 9x12 from the top, shock mounted hard drive and motherboard, touchscreen, and steel cased. These things are literally indestructable, and I was wondering where I can keep one in the eclipse that would be easy to access. Under the driver seat maybe? In the dash somewhere if I cut open the dash and make a slot.

My question is will dsmlink run on this computer? It comes with windows 95 98 or 98se, those are pretty much my options unlesss I boot it with a linux open source os.

 

[talonTSIDriver]

Only other requirement is a serial port and that old of a notebook should have one. If not for some odd reason, you can get a PCMCIA card that will have a serial port on it. If you need one, PM me. I own a computer business and I can ups one to ya. I'll give you my cost on it, the DSMtuners discount.

Also get it with Win98SE. Thats the best one of the bunch you listed.

 

[bane3d]

According to DSMLink, you need to have a Serial Port. As long as the tough book has that, it should be good. As for Office, well... it will run office 2000, it may run office xp or 2003. According to the book, you just need a 133 proc and 24Mb RAM. In my opinion, office has a tendency to bloat so it will hog at least 128 MB of RAM. The processor then becomes the bottlekneck and it's up to you to determine how long you are willing to wait for things to work. I'd say the laptop will work, as long as you buy more RAM. Also, you may need to run Windows 98. Good luck. If you have any questions, PM me.

d

 

[weith1111]

I'm practically in the same boat, just picked up a 466 with 64megs of ram, win98 for $75. Is ram easily upgradeable in laptops (never had one)? I'd be much happier with 128 or 256.

 

[napkinthief]

I know they have serial ports and some others. 2 usbs, video printer and svga i think. Is there something I plug into a usb to make it have an audio out? Would it affect my sound since the laptops sound card is not high quality. I want to run the sound from the hard drive, though the sound card, to my headunit, then to my car speakers. My headunit has an audio in already.

 

[napkinthief]

I'm practically in the same boat, just picked up a 466 with 64megs of ram, win98 for $75. Is ram easily upgradeable in laptops (never had one)? I'd be much happier with 128 or 256.

I dont know what type of laptop you have, but in the one I am getting, its simple 2 slide locks to pop off the bottom cover, and plug in the ram. I will be upgrading as soon as I can find the same type. I want to have as much as possible to speed up boot times, I think 512 is the most these laptops can handle, but the most I have seen in them was 256.

 

[talonTSIDriver]

I know they have serial ports and some others. 2 usbs, video printer and svga i think. Is there something I plug into a usb to make it have an audio out? Would it affect my sound since the laptops sound card is not high quality. I want to run the sound from the hard drive, though the sound card, to my headunit, then to my car speakers. My headunit has an audio in already.

Well most notebooks already should have a spot to plug in your headphones. What you need to go get is an FM Modulator with a 2.5mm jack that will plug into the headphone jack on the notebook. Then you just set the FM Modulator or like 88.7 and turn your radio to that station. Now you can play MP3's off your laptop and listen to them off your car's radio.

Also ram is really easy to install, no drivers to install or anything. Just simply unscrew one of the covers on the back and snap the new ram in and thats it.

 

[weith1111]

It's a Dell. I just need to be sure it will support a ram upgrade. It looks like 2 sticks. I wonder if this thing would even handle 128. I was slightly concerned about being able to run DSMlink on it, but just surfing and using office this thing has been no trouble. You will be more than ok with your setup. I'd check on that serial port though. There is an adapter to change the DSMlink cable to USB if you don't have the db9 port.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

napkinthief... tell me this is for a different car. DSMLink is only for the 4G63's; they don't make a 420A version.

 

[bane3d]

Go here: https://ecomm.dell.com/dellstore/myaccount/signup.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&

Create an account and then you can type in the computer code on the dell. Choose the type of dell you have and then you can find out all of the information. If it's too hard, let me know and I'll tell you what the upgrade option are. Generally, they will take an SO DIM that's either PC100 or PC133 depending upon your laptop. With how old your laptop there is no way of knowing easily. I'll bet it will take at least 2 128 sticks if not more.

d

 

[weith1111]

Go here: https://ecomm.dell.com/dellstore/myaccount/signup.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&

Create an account and then you can type in the computer code on the dell. Choose the type of dell you have and then you can find out all of the information. If it's too hard, let me know and I'll tell you what the upgrade option are. Generally, they will take an SO DIM that's either PC100 or PC133 depending upon your laptop. With how old your laptop there is no way of knowing easily. I'll bet it will take at least 2 128 sticks if not more.

d

Word! I don't have the machine in front of me so I don't have the tag, but the series accepts 512 as a maximum! Nice. Have to put a 40gig hard drive in there too! Processors aren't upgradeable are they?

This is turning out to be a good deal for $75!

 

[Red97Eclipseboy]

napkinthief... tell me this is for a different car. DSMLink is only for the 4G63's; they don't make a 420A version.

My thought, too. Unless your profile is wrong, no DSMlink for you.

 

[napkinthief]

My thought, too. Unless your profile is wrong, no DSMlink for you.

I just realized DSMLink is only for 4g63s, Im gonna go kill myself I just ordered one.

 

[napkinthief]

Just kidding, thanks for posting that though, saved me a bunch of money.

 

[weith1111]

HAha. Nice catch. I was hoping you weren't talking about the car in your profile too. Oops, should have spoken up! All's well that ends well, except you can't get DSMlink