Computer in the garage?
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Blue Hill Township
Computer in the garage?
How many of you guys have computers in the garage? I just got one out here, and its nice to be able to look things up, or look at pictures of how I took apart the car I am restoring. Yay for the information age 
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Jacksonville, FL
I haven't done this yet, but it is certainly something to think about. I'm living in the 2nd house where I've run my own Network cables and installed the outlets for the purpose of having the "Internets" :-) virtually anywhere. I do believe the garage is one of those vital locations, although I haven't run a cable there, yet. If I did more auto work in my garage, versus "mass storage" (aka Messy Garage), then I probably would have done that already.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
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From: Blue Hill Township
I ran an ethernet cable out to the garage last night. I also hooked it up to the stereo. Now I can listen to all my music, and rock out while wrenching. yay! I was thinkin about pickin up a service manual for each of the cars. That would be nice.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
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At one time, I had my "old" PC out in the garage. BUT, the dust and such in the garage made it a pain. Constantly cleaning the case out, clogging fans, ect. I ended up burning the power supply out, if I remember correctly...
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 547
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From: Northwest Indiana
Originally Posted by mistercmk
How many of you guys have computers in the garage? I just got one out here, and its nice to be able to look things up, or look at pictures of how I took apart the car I am restoring. Yay for the information age
Another words... another mildly useful toy.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 913
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From: Pensacola, FL
well, as soon as i get a garage, i have the perfect computer for the garage. already hooked up to dsl and just sitting there mostly doing nothing, i dont even turn it on most of the time.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Blue Hill Township
Originally Posted by xlt4me
Funny you mentioned it. It's about #3 on my list of things-to-do. I have a couple of old PC's hanging around waiting for something to do. I'm going to put a wireless NIC in one and setup a basic system with 98se. Mainly I'm going to use it as a scan tool at first. I'd rather do that with a laptop but I don't have one yet. Anyway's its also good for storing maintenance logs and I have a factory manual on CD for my Stealth.
Another words... another mildly useful toy.
Another words... another mildly useful toy.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
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Originally Posted by ShawnZ
excell should work pretty good.
I'm definitely planning to get a computer out in the garage. Mainly for doing diagnostic stuff and for being able to search tech info without having to run inside. I've heard you can pick up old govt military-spec laptops pretty cheap which would withstand the dusty environment. Not the fastest in the world, but should run basic programs well enough.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Cheyenne Wy.
Originally Posted by mistercmk
Is there any particular program that you use for maintinence logs? I am lookin to get all this info on my comps, but havent found a good program for it.
I use a little program called autowolf.
http://www.lonewolf-software.com/
I have had it for a couple of years and it works well. Even keeps track of fuel economy and cost of ownership etc.....
Jim
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: peoria, az
I have a now-dormant one out there right now. It WAS nice to be able to look things up without running inside and getting this one all greasy, or having to wash up first. Problem is that I had a 25' flagpole about 10' from the garage and a 40' palm tree about 15' from that.....lighting hit the palm, jumped to the pole and onto the garage wiping out my computer. It also managed to workit's way to the breaker box and jump to the next circuit and wipe out everything on that circuit too. 
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,123
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From: Fort Smith
I've got an old P2 600mb Compaq laptop in the garage. It runs through my wireless. It works great for the purpose its needed for. I made a couple of Excel sheets last year and moved all my maintenance logs to it. I don't use it for mileage, but do for all the oil changes, shocks, etc. Another sheet is made for any aftermarket or accessories I buy - keeps a running total on how much I've spent. Boy - I hope the wife never sees that page... 
I would like to get a set of cables and some good software so I could use the laptop for diagnostics, but haven't decided on which one to use yet.
I would like to get a set of cables and some good software so I could use the laptop for diagnostics, but haven't decided on which one to use yet.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Northwest Indiana
Originally Posted by mistercmk
Is there any particular program that you use for maintinence logs? I am lookin to get all this info on my comps, but havent found a good program for it.
The Zone has one if I'm not mistaken but I haven't checked it out.
As far as dust in PC's goes, the main problem is that the dust holds in heat. It's the added heat that will kill the pc. Blow it out ( gently ) with air from time to time and it will last a long time. NEVER use a vaccum cleaner on it. The static that builds up on the hose will zap IC's.
Moisture and exhaust gases may cause some corrosion... but that's what old PC's are for.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 3
I have a Toshiba Lap Top I use and it is great because then I can use it anywhere or take it to a buddys house.. I use a program called Car restore that I bought off of woodys Fairlane site and it is great, can put up to 4 cars on it. http://www.woodyg.com/fairlane/