Is it safe to buy a M4-ATX yet? - Page 2

blk02si · 05-15-2009, 08:41 AM

^ My M4 PCB looks completely different than that one, also has blue rocker switches. I'm guessing mine is a newer revision? Well at least now we know that we are comparing 2 different models.

Also looks like the main output capacitors are different size and/or brand.

Bugbyte · 05-15-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by blk02si

For what it's worth I am running the newest firmware on my M4, which was shipped that way from mp3car.com. I waited a year before purchasing mine so thay could work the bugs out.

I also only use the M4 as a power supply / regulator, I DO NOT use the startup & shutdown controller, nor do I use the amp turn on. I do use the usb monitor feature.
Again I conclude most problems come from improper wiring or general instability on the on/off controller and amp turn on circuits, which, when running an embedded OS , are a joke anyway. My M4 on/off and amp controller circuits are still virgin, and they always will be. I gave up on those types of circuits long ago, pretty much since the main stream production of solid state storage and embedded operating systems. Perhaps my M4 success can be attributed to my usage.

Oh yes, for those that don't bother studying the M4 PCB before installing here is some helpful info:

These corners are primary input positive circuit conductors. In other words, don't use conductive metal standoff's for install, or you can short the IC against ground resulting in sudden death.

Interesting. When Mini-box sent me the test unit, they included a metal box to put the M4 inside that used the four corner holes and metal standoffs to mount it.

blk02si · 05-15-2009, 10:00 AM

Looks like the first gen had a different PCB, if you take a close look at will1384's pictures you can see the mount points are a bit different, and have circles printed on the front. It seems this style would be ok to use metal standoffs. However, on the second gen (which I seem to have) the PCB is a bit different, and those mount pads have positive current flowing through them. They also have an extra layer of clear insulating material on them, which helps but I still used nylon standoffs to be sure. I traced the circuit back, and sure enough they are hooked right to the positive primary input. Here's another picture of a build I put together for a client who also used the M4, again this one must be the "second gen" as it is the same as mine and you can even see the clear insulator on the lower left in this pic. The M4 was also pushing quite a bit of hardware, including a Intel BLKDG45FC, Dual Core 3.0 Ghz Pentium, 4gb ram, 80 gig intel SSD, and lilliput touchscreen. The M4 performed to my expectations with this setup. In this build I did not use the on/off controller or amp turn on either.

will1384 · 05-15-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by blk02si

^ My M4 PCB looks completely different than that one, also has blue rocker switches. I'm guessing mine is a newer revision? Well at least now we know that we are comparing 2 different models.

Also looks like the main output capacitors are different size and/or brand.

I ordered mine Feb 03, 2009

will1384 · 05-15-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by will1384

I ordered mine Feb 03, 2009

Here is a post that shows the older style, front and back

M4-atx (6-30v) 250 Watt

Dated 04-03-2008

blk02si · 05-15-2009, 12:05 PM

Just checked my invoice, I ordered mine March 29, 2009

Weird because mine looks just like that.

Griff1 · 05-15-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by blk02si

Just checked my invoice, I ordered mine March 29, 2009

Weird because mine looks just like that.

I got my m4 last june and its the same as yours,not used it yet.
Its finally going into service tomorrow to power my new build in time for the digital car gathering next weekend,it better work as there's no time to order a replacement.

blk02si · 05-16-2009, 01:24 AM

I would hook up the ATX power and P4 power, run it in dumb mode for initinal boot. After it's up and stable, OS installed and it has had some burn in, then proceed to hook up the startup and shutdown controller. I would not recommend hooking up every single header possible and then juicing it all at once. Make sure the power circuits are stable before introducing the others. Is there a logic flowchart available for the M4?

Dougw133 · 05-16-2009, 01:46 AM

I had to return my to MP3car. It never worked right. I'm sorry but if something doesn't work out of the box these days I won't recommend it.. Bought an opus and never looked back.

will1384 · 05-16-2009, 03:00 AM

I found a website with a photo that looks like, or similar to, the M4-ATX
version I have.

Ituner M4-ATX

So far its the only picture ?

The Ituner name is also found on mini-box.com, must be the same company
or something.

blk02si · 05-17-2009, 10:36 AM

Looks like that version also has smaller input capacitors too. Look at C62, C63 and the 3 capacitors clustered right around the input, they are about half the height of the same capacitors on the other board.

A smaller cap is going to mean less input filtering.

WuNgUn · 05-17-2009, 11:05 AM

So it looks like Minibox must of finally sold their inventory of defective M4's, and now their offering something that actually works...lol

shatteredzman · 05-17-2009, 03:56 PM

There seems to be a lot more negative comments about the M4 compared to the positive ones. I was hoping for an extra 30 watt because my system is pushing a little over 200 watts at its peak power. I would also save a little bit of money but I have had experience with DSATX so I guess I'll stick with it because I've known it to be a good brand.

soundman98 · 05-18-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by shatteredzman

There seems to be a lot more negative comments about the M4 compared to the positive ones. I was hoping for an extra 30 watt because my system is pushing a little over 200 watts at its peak power. I would also save a little bit of money but I have had experience with DSATX so I guess I'll stick with it because I've known it to be a good brand.

While I believe that blk02si is partially right about some problems being user error, I think that it is odd that there are so many negative reviews that after they switch over to a opus, or dsatx, suddenly has no problems at all.

It is esspecially odd if there was a user error in the hookup, b/c i would think that they would use the same method to hook up their new ps-- they would then have the same problem as they did w/ the m-4...

has anyone else noticed that the 'm' series have more problems postings than opus or dsatx? it's hard to believe that all of these are user error.

jpinkerton · 05-18-2009, 12:51 PM

Most people post when something doesn't work, not when it does.
I wasn't going to spend a couple hundred on my first DC power supply, maybe in the next vehicle I'll invest in a beefier - OPUS power supply, but for my first run I wanted affordable as the primary objective. I'm assuming most others think the same way.

With these two thoughts in mind, no wonder more people post about the M4 than the OPUS.

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