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11-11-2008, 01:27 AM
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#46
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Low Bitrate
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 76
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The only thing my M4-ATX intelligent power supply is lacking is the intelligence. I just got mine a few days ago from MP3car.com and hooked it up with the same wires I was using on my M2-ATX and set the DIP switches. I turn on the car and nothing but a slow flashing green light. I wait and it never comes on. So I push the power button and it comes on. Drive someplace, turn off the car and fifteen minutes later is hard shuts off even though I have it set at OFF OFF On. Also tried ON ON OFF and a peak in the garage shows it is still running after 15 minutes.
What firmware is shipping these days? Do I really need to flash this thing just so it works as described and if so, why wouldn't the USB cable be shipped with it since it seems to be required?
Please ignore my frustration, I should have looked it up ahead of time, I guess my past experience with the rock solid M1-ATX and M2-ATX lulled me into thinking the M4-ATX would be of the same quality.
-Chris
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11-11-2008, 04:30 AM
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#47
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Variable Bitrate
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: netherlands
Posts: 373
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You need to hook it up to the usb, with mine ther were only two settings differnt from eathother. When you make the changes with the usb it works fine.
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11-11-2008, 10:37 PM
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#48
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Admin. Don't bug or I'll byte.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Corning, NY
Posts: 6,141
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Frankly, this thread should be titled, "Everything you need to know about your M4 ATX: Don't buy one"
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11-11-2008, 11:40 PM
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#49
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Constant Bitrate
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 186
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I don't understand some of the problems some of the others are having with this power supply. 
Mine works fine all the time. I have it set to turn on my PC 6 seconds after ignition and hit the power 3 seconds after it gets shut off. Works every time.
The only thing that doesn't work properly is the voltage readings, but that's a minor annoyance.
__________________
Kids, don't play with too many knives! -Crack Stuntman
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11-12-2008, 09:59 AM
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#50
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Admin. Don't bug or I'll byte.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Corning, NY
Posts: 6,141
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I should probably be more balanced about this. Many of the issues I've had with the M4 were related to the M4 itself. One of the issues was my own fault. It probably isn't fair to portray all of my problems as the fault of the M4.
The first M4 I had did not work properly. Minibox replaced that with a second unit. That one would start the computer but shut it off after 4-5 seconds because of a software issue that caused it to 'hold' the power button after start.
I was given a third unit that had updated software and worked properly. About a month later, the computer would not boot. I found that I had damage the accessory trace on the M4 board when installing the unit. Completely my fault. I soldered a wire to jump the trace and it was working. Later it stopped working, I presume because my fix didn't last.
My choice was to build a cable to reflash one of the two defective units or return to my admittedly kludgey setup of a voltage regulator and PW120 power supply. Rather than figure out how to repair previously non-working hardware, I chose to go with the old route. My system worked flawlessly on the four year old hardware and has done so ever since.
Score: My fault = 1, M4 = 2.
I probably could have figured out what was wrong with the old M4's, but I had already spent way more time and effort on it than it was worth. Perhaps Minibox has fixed and improved the more recent models of the M4, but there is a long list of complaints about this unit and it is clear that there known were issues with at least some versions of the M4 for several months during which Minibox continued to ship the M4 and provided spotty technical support for hobbyists with issues. Even now, your system provides voltage readings that are incorrect.
I view the M1 and M2 as solid and reliable mainstay products for many of us. The M4 though, hasn't done anything to help MB's reputation.
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11-12-2008, 10:43 AM
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#51
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FLAC
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,200
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The only thing you should know about the M4, is they suck balls!
With that said, I have one for sale!!
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11-12-2008, 04:25 PM
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#52
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Variable Bitrate
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: netherlands
Posts: 373
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maybe its the first production -models that had some floors, i probebly have a later one, because it preforms perfect.
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11-12-2008, 04:42 PM
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#53
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FLAC
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,200
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Quote: Originally Posted by rijk  maybe its the first production -models that had some floors, i probebly have a later one, because it preforms perfect.
I RMA'd mine, and got the latest version...still didn't work properly!
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11-12-2008, 09:05 PM
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#54
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Low Bitrate
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 66
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is this product really that bad? I need a power supply that will give me as much wattage as possible for as cheap as possible. Based on that, the M4 seems the best choice. If i were to buy one now, it would have the updated firmware and not so many problems, right?
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11-13-2008, 01:51 AM
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#55
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Variable Bitrate
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Melbourne, Australia The Truth Is Out There
Posts: 310
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After I loaded mine with the latest firmware I've had no issues.
__________________
Fox Mulder
2001 Toyota Avalon Vxi
Toshiba TE2000 Laptop 1Ghz BU-353 Black Xenarc 700TSV HD & Analogue TV FM DVD/CDRW Car2PC Adaptor
2004 Toyota MR2
Intel Dual Core 2.0Ghz 1Gb DDR2 160GB SATA2 M4ATX Lilliput 7" TS BU353 DiNovo Mini Car2PC ODBII
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11-13-2008, 08:12 AM
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#56
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_
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Little Elm, Texas
Posts: 13,481
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I've had 0 problems with mine now that I've got the new firmware version.
1.3 is the latest that I'm aware of.
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11-13-2008, 08:56 AM
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#57
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FLAC
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,200
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Quote: Originally Posted by moelsaied88 is this product really that bad? I need a power supply that will give me as much wattage as possible for as cheap as possible. Based on that, the M4 seems the best choice. If i were to buy one now, it would have the updated firmware and not so many problems, right?
For whatever reason, mine couldn't power my 2 sound cards (just static) and the display was wavy and fluttery...
Both M4's behaved the same way...
My OPUS 320 works perfectly...
You can have my M4 if you like...if you want to chance it!
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11-13-2008, 11:14 AM
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#58
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Constant Bitrate
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 186
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Quote: Originally Posted by Fox_Mulder After I loaded mine with the latest firmware I've had no issues.
Not even the voltage readings?
WuNgUn, I'll be next in line if it doesn't go through! 
__________________
Kids, don't play with too many knives! -Crack Stuntman
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11-13-2008, 11:22 AM
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#59
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Low Bitrate
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 66
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if you dont mind me asking WuNgUn, why arent you using the M4? And what version of the firmware is loaded on it? when you tested it where there any problems?
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11-13-2008, 12:05 PM
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#60
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FLAC
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,200
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Quote: Originally Posted by moelsaied88 Yea, i am most definitely interested, i just wanna make sure its working properly, ya know? What problems, if any, did you have with this particular unit?
Quote: Originally Posted by WuNgUn For whatever reason, mine couldn't power my 2 sound cards (just static) and the display was wavy and fluttery...
Both M4's behaved the same way...
This was with 2 separate mainboards that I tested with as well...most likely something I wasn't doing as far as hooking them up was concerned.
But like I said, my OPUS has no issues with the way I wire things up!
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