Eee PC Laptop

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Ideally my eeepc will become a fully functional GPS unit, complete with touchscreen and bluetooth microphone for voice commands. To accommodate the additional functionality, a USB hub will need to be installed, as well as the GPS, bluetooth, touchscreen, and additional storage space.

The Beast itself...

Software Modifications

Operating System

Following the directions from i64x's website∞, I shrunk the integrated SP2 install to a whopping 450mb. Unfortunately, it appears that one of the components I removed to decrease the operating size was the Microsoft Speech-to-Text functionality. This would be essential for speech recognition as well as turn-by-turn navigation.

Further Tweaks

Additional steps I have taken to free up space on my C: partition
* Moved temporary folder to 16gb SDHC card (e: drive)
* Moved Documents and Settings folder to e: drive
* Added eeectl and eeepc ultility for overclocking/graphic scaling

Hardware Mods

USB 2.0 Hub

This is key to the overall project. The hub must be connected properly to ensure that the eeepc as well as the additional devices remain functional.

Pics

Coming soon

Thoughts

The hardest part will be desoldering the 4 female connectors - several are in close proximity to resistors on the PCB. I may want to look at a low-voltage desoldering iron with bulb to ensure I don't fuck up the hub. The port layout should be as follows:

1. Direct solder to card reader
2. Wire to Female USB Connector placed by memory (Free)
3. Wire to Female USB Connector/direct solder to Bluetooth Dongle∞
4. Wire to Female USB Connector/direct solder to 16gb flash drive

GPS Unit

In light of my research into using a GPS antenna internally I have opted not to use the Delorme GPS. Instead I will be using an internal bluetooth card to communicate with a reciever.

I will be using the Globalsat BT-359∞. Pics will follow as I begin the modification process.

Pics

Thoughts

Now that I'm moving to bluetooth, this should be a fairly straight forward mod. I'm contemplating leaving the GPS in the car all the time, or perhaps rigging something to let it tap into the engine's power supply - one benefit of the BT-359 is that when it loses power and signal it will automatically turn off, this could be helpful for a no mess, minimal prep setup.

Card Reader

The card reader will let me move the 16gb SDHC card from the external reader, freeing up the place for my other 1gb SD cards.

Pics

The card reader i'm using is the Transcend that came with my 16gb SDHC


Top cover removed, note the heavenly glow.


Front of reader, card slides in from the top. Note the four, easily accessible solder points for the USB pins.


The backside of the reader, fun circuitry here

Thoughts

This should be the easiest of the hardware solderjobs. I'll probably attempt to prep this piece first by removing the male USB connector.

Or maybe not. Turns out those connections are suspiciously close to the card reader itself. During my attempt to remove the USB reader, I ended up lifting one of the contacts and pretty much ruining the chances of me to use this particular reader. I'll be getting another one when I pick up a new SDHC card. This broken reader may be helpful for a future FON mod... I could use it to provide additional space to the wireless router.

Bluetooth

I purchased this∞ bluetooth adapter and finalized it for installation into the eeepc.

Pics

Coming soon

Thoughts

This will probably be the easiest of installations. Soldering the wires to a free port on the usb hub is all that remains before this task is completed.

Additional Add-ons

• Additional Storage: To supplement the 16GB SDHC, I'm looking at the Corsair 16GB USB 2.0 thumbdrive∞. If it fits inside the case, I'll leave it unmodified - although from the looks of it, i may have to remove the rubber exterior and just plug it into an available USB female port.

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