Is it a power supply issue?

kbkid · 10-31-2006, 08:05 PM

For the last 6 months, I have been running my CarPC without any troubles. I have a VIA M10000 motherboard with a M1-ATX power supply. The only things I've had plugged into the onboard USB ports are the Lilliput Touchscreen and a wireless remote reciever. I haven't had any problems with that.

Well I bought an external DVD-RW drive from Centrix and got it today. I plugged it into the USB ports on the front of my Morex case and the lights on the drive came on briefly and then went off. So I thought maybe it wasn't getting enough power so I plugged both of the USB cables into the drive and still nothing.

I called Customer Service and the guy tried to tell me how to get it to work. After he found out I had a Touch Screen that used USB, he said it probably wouldn't work because that draws alot from the power supply. After unhooking the monitor, the drive still didn't work and the guy said to RMA the drive and send it back. I did.

So my question is has this happened to anyone else or what do you guys think the problem is? How can I power the touchscreen and DVD-RW drive both at the same time?

Sorry for the long post, hopefully it all makes sense.
Thanks,
Kyle

kbkid · 11-01-2006, 05:49 AM

Could it be that my M1-ATX cannot handle all of the equipment or what is it? How can I fix it besides buying larger power supply?

DarquePervert · 11-01-2006, 06:49 AM

Getting a POL power supply. There are a couple in the store here.

kbkid · 11-01-2006, 07:26 AM

Does one work better than the other. I also am hooking a wireless internet adapter up USB and a wireless keyboard. I'm not using the mouse. So in all I will be using Touchscreen, DVD Drive, Wireless Keyboard, and Internet Adapter.

Also are they difficult to install? I tired Googling it but didn't come up with much. I am talking about the 15 Watt one at the bottom of Mp3Car Store's page.

DarquePervert · 11-01-2006, 07:28 AM

POL is a Point-Of Load power supply.
It's designed to work alongside your main PSU to provide power for devices and prevent overloading your main PSU.

kbkid · 11-01-2006, 07:41 AM

So I guess it plugs into the mainboard just as the PS would. Do I need any additional things or can I hook it up right out of the box. Do you have any website that tells about it or anything. Any where offline carry them?

AcuraTLFan · 03-17-2007, 09:34 PM

I just bought one from centrix too. IT's a piece of CRAP! USB can't provide enough power to power the drive. USB protocal is 5V at 500mA = 2.5Watt. IF you have 2 usb ports, that = max 5watt. Not enough to power and transfer.I'm ****ed, i'm out $24.

Main reason I bought this one is becuase it's USB powered....don't have to lug around a AC adapter

vfinterceptor · 03-18-2007, 06:59 AM

I just got a cig lighter 5v 1000Ma usb power plug in, hacked it into a new box (also put in my screen power filter and a 2 amp fuse) and use it to run a powered hub and my slot load DVD drive.

I had the same issue but mine was power drop off over a long usb run from the trunk. My slot load is in an ide to usb adapter so it has a dedicated "power in" in additon to be able to run off the usb. No problems now that it is running off it's own power supply. Remember, your usb bus is only supplying 500ma, I'd say the drive is eating up most of that (maybe more in your case). Plug in a few more usb items and you're probably above what the bus can supply so the drive doesn't run.

Of course, it may very well have been a problem with the drive if it won't run on a short usb and nothing else plugged in.....

Cheers

BJ