Thread: M1-ATX not timing, not turning on PC

These are the specs:

PIII-550 (slot)
AOpen X6BC (old style rev 1.0 or 1.1)
256MB Ram
40GB WD laptop HD

car off:
+ rail gets 11.5V

car on:
+ rail and ignition get 14-15V

Problem:

When voltage is applied to ignition the M1-ATX
does not turn on the computer. Tried 3 timing settings (regular PSU,
5sec/45sec, 5sec/2hour). When I connect J8 (external
switch) the computer powers on. When I connect J8
again the computer turns off. The computer runs fine
if I force it on myself. Last night I drove for 1 hour
with music blasting and GPS working, remote control
working all off USB. So, there is plenty of power to go
around in my system.

I attached voltometer to J6 (the ON/OFF coming from
M1-ATX to motherboard) in a setting that beeps when the +/- are
connected together. Turned ignition ON/OFF with no
success. Again, if I connect J8 I hear the beep, meaning the
two wires connected successfully.

My guess is that there is something going on with
the microprocessor. It's not doing timing properly or
it's not alive at all? It's definately not connecting the
two wires together that force motherboard ON/OFF.

Double checked the power wires coming in... + is
from battery, then ignition, then - from ground.

When computer is forced on via J8, I also ran a
series of tests on J2 (amp enable signal). Again, no
success. When computer boots on the amps don't get power. I
measured the voltage few times in the amp enable signal.
It stays off. When I connect amp enable cable
(disconnected from M1-ATX) directly to ignition the amps boot up
and speakers play.

Another reason for me to believe that the
microprocessor is not working is because I guess M1-ATX takes
out the "thumps" by timing the amps to turn on x seconds after
the computer (since it gets no feedback from computer
when it boots up). Sinec I get no signal in the amp enable line
then the timing is not happenning.

Please let me know what you think.