M4-ATX Bug. Response from Mini-Box - Page 2

Fox_Mulder · 04-30-2008, 04:09 AM

J5 can be used to reprogram the pic using a method called "In Circuit Serial Programming" if we had access to the firmware, all that is required is a simple circuit hooked up to an rs232 port in order to reprogram the pic.

I can verify that my micro atx motherboard is not ignoring the off pulse, because the off pulse is only sent after 1 minute, and then after 1 minute from that does it go into HARDOFF.

edit: I might take this m4 into uni and use the scopes there, but I dont think I'll learn anything new.

a2carat · 05-01-2008, 09:10 PM

I received mine, that I bought off ebay and suffered from the same problem as the OP but one of the setting was different the off delay was 5sec and then 1 min for Hard off, the rest was 1min for offdelay and then 1min for hard off,

I'm sending it back and I'll buy one from mini-box unless anyone can confirm that the store here has the new firmware

hailrazer · 05-02-2008, 08:44 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by a2carat

I received mine, that I bought off ebay and suffered from the same problem as the OP but one of the setting was different the off delay was 5sec and then 1 min for Hard off, the rest was 1min for offdelay and then 1min for hard off,

I'm sending it back and I'll buy one from mini-box unless anyone can confirm that the store here has the new firmware

The mini-box rep told me this on Wednesday:

Quote:

It is a firmware bug we fixed ~1 week ago, but it affects your behavior only for the first ON/OFF cycle.
Please see attached manual with the new timing tables and please read about the "AutoLatch" feature.

I will ask MP3car.com to send back all the units so that we will reflash them... Luckly the damage is not that big, only a limited number units were sent out so far...

-Andrei

So the ones in the Mp3car store probably won't have the new firmware for a few weeks I would imagine.

jimmler · 05-02-2008, 10:13 AM

They did update their manual on the website and a copy of this changelog:

03/03/2008 Initial Release, Firmware release 1.0
04/15/2008 Removed C53 (adjustment to the 5V rail rise time)
04/15/2008 Firmware 1.1 changed timing scheme as follows:

P0 STANDARD PSU
P1 5sec / 1min was 5sec 1 min
P2 5sec / NEVER was 5sec / 1 hour
p3 1min / 1min was 5 sec / NEVER
p4 15 min / 1 min was 30 sec / 1 hour
p5 15 min / NEVER was 30sec / NEVER
p6 30 min / 1 min was 30min / NEVER
p7 2 h / 1 NEVER was 3h / NEVER

04/14/2008 Firmware 1.1: 1minute Ignition latch was active only when M4-ATX was powered on for the first time.
04/14/2008 Firmware 1.1: Further alignment in the way 12, 5, and 3.3V rails startup timing
04/14/2008 Firmware 1.1: Firmware version can be viewed via USB HID link.

Unfortunately there's still no information on the USB interface other than the last line of the change log.

I bought mine from short-circuit.com. I wonder if they will allow me to return it for an updated unit. Hailrazer, since you have a better rapport with mini-box than I do(they have NEVER responded to any of my e-mails), can you find out from Andrei if they are replacing all units or only the ones sold to mp3car? Thanks!

hailrazer · 05-02-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by jimmler

I bought mine from short-circuit.com. I wonder if they will allow me to return it for an updated unit. Hailrazer, since you have a better rapport with mini-box than I do(they have NEVER responded to any of my e-mails), can you find out from Andrei if they are replacing all units or only the ones sold to mp3car? Thanks!

Just fired off an email, I will let you know what they say.

hailrazer · 05-03-2008, 06:06 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by hailrazer

Just fired off an email, I will let you know what they say.

Here's the reply :

Quote:

In general, they should ask the reseller for a firmware upgrade and the units will quickly get replaced, but we won't say no if they contact us driectly...
Luckily we did not sell too many units with the 'old' firmware....

-Andrei

hailrazer · 05-08-2008, 12:50 PM

I just got my new M4-ATX power supply from mini-box installed.

And I am happy to say it works perfectly. Goes into hibernate in 5 seconds and the screen turns off

Everyone should try to get one with the new firmware. Mini-box is good to work with once you get them answering emails )

ArcaneDreams · 05-08-2008, 12:54 PM

Mine is due to arrive tomorrow.

I will let you know if it works.

PS, how did you get yours before me? >_<

hailrazer · 05-08-2008, 12:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ArcaneDreams

Mine is due to arrive tomorrow.

I will let you know if it works.

PS, how did you get yours before me? >_<

I Bit$%ed harder and more

GhostRiderDad · 05-08-2008, 04:07 PM

Is there a way to upgrade the firmware of the M4-ATX without returning it? Like updating the bios? I don't know if mine has the above mentioned problems yet because I have not bench tested it yet. What are your methods for bench testing? I got mine on ebay from short-circut in April. I trimmed some of the plastic off the terminal black so that the PS would fit in an old Dell PS case, so I don't know if they would return it or not.

Fox_Mulder · 05-08-2008, 09:03 PM

They emailed me the new firmware (I am in Australia, I dont really want to have to wait for a new unit lol). You need an "In Circuit Serial Programmer" to program the 18F2450 PIC microcontroller. You can build this programmer there are a few schematics on the internet.

ArcaneDreams · 05-09-2008, 12:05 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Fox_Mulder

They emailed me the new firmware (I am in Australia, I dont really want to have to wait for a new unit lol). You need an "In Circuit Serial Programmer" to program the 18F2450 PIC microcontroller. You can build this programmer there are a few schematics on the internet.

did you connect and fix it?

Fox_Mulder · 05-09-2008, 12:16 AM

Havent had a chance yet, too many assignments with uni

I will give it a try this weekend.

ArcaneDreams · 05-09-2008, 01:34 AM

We were finished for the semester last week. Shouldn't you be done soon?

Fox_Mulder · 05-09-2008, 01:38 AM

We still have lectures, June 13th is the last day of my exams.