Thread: M4-atx (6-30v) 250 Watt

Originally Posted by fritz_fx

Hey Fellas, I've noticed that nobody has mentioned the M4-ATX here on the forums at all.

You noticed wrong:

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/powe...ed-m4-yet.html
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/gene...mobo-swap.html

etc, etc...

is there no port to access the pic's capabilities? Thats the only thing i wish the m2-atx added personally.

I just ordered one of these, so we'll see how it works out. A couple things I'd like to see in a future release:
1) The option of horizontal or vertical power connections(like Opus does). That right angle ATX is gonna cause me some grief in my installation.
2) A different power input connector. The screw terminals are nice, but in a cramped area, it'd be a pain to tighten. Also that connector sticks way off the board, so again problems for my installation.
3) USB programming instructions. In the downloadable version of the manual, they show the pinout for the connector, but no mention of how to talk to the supply or what you can change once you're connected.
Stay tuned!

The M4-ATX arrived safely. I have only been able to give it a quick test. I currently have it configured as a standard ATX supply and with a beefy 12V bench supply feeding it, it powers up my VIA board, no problem. I have redesigned my layout a bit, so I can make the horizontal power connectors work, but that huge power input block has to go.
As far as support from mini-box.com, they get an "F". Two e-mails and they have not responded to any of my requests for more info on the board. More details as I discover them.

Its a paper weight for me so far. It doesn't operate correctly. It doesn't seem to work correctly for anyone. And I am going on 2 weeks of waiting for a reply e-mail back...so I wouldn't hold your breath.


Try using your M4 with a 5 second shut down time. My guess is that it will take over 30 seconds to shut down..no matter what you put your dip switches on.


*Note, be very careful when messing with the screw connectors for the power. If you touch the case with the screwdriver as you are unscrewing the positive lead, you may get some sparks..possibly damaging your motherboard/power supply.

I'd have to say not to even mess with it unless power is off.
Any more opinions or feedback on this unit?
Thinking of getting one, ...but...

The unit is great, the early units had some issues with the firmware, but the new units available now should be fine. I have most of the issues that we have faced with the M4 over here http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/powe...ur-m4-atx.html

HELP,
I had my M4-ATX working just the other day, and I changed power supply as the battery source, and suddenly, its not working at all. I see the led flashing every few moments(like 15-30 seconds) but when I try to boot up the PC using the standard on/off and not the pulse...nothing happens. I Tried several times to switch power supply battery sources and it still won't work, and the LED is acting the same way. checked voltage to the terminals and its 12+ volts. so what could be wrong? Everything was plugged in and I could not figure out what could be shorting the PS, if at all. Did I manage to kill it? How would I test to see if I did kill it or not ? Anyone else have this issue?

The LED flashing every 15 seconds I think means it is in the hardoff mode, and therefore it wont allow you to boot up the pc untill you apply a constant 12v to the ignition terminal. Have you tried it in "dumb mode" (all dip switches off) ?