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external on off switch

R

rooftile

n00b
Joined
Mar 12, 2011
Messages
2
Hi, Don't know if this is the right section to post this question but here goes.

My question is exceedinbly simple. I have a standard Tower computer and it lives under my office desk. I have to crawl under the desk each morning to switch it on. This is becoming quite a hassle.
To swithc it off is no problem, my cordless keyboard has an off switch that shuts windows (win7) down, but it cannot seem to be able to switch it on.

I want to know if there is something simple on the market that can switch on the computer without having to crawl under my office table.
Since I built this computer myself I would be prepared to do some simple HW reconfiguration inside the box.

Any suggestions on an external wired/wireless switch would be much appreciated.
 
If you want a wired solution, all you would need is to get a momentary push-button switch, two long wires, and a connector to attach it to your motherboard. You could either get a new connector and pins and crimp them onto your wires, or just chop off a connector that came with an old case and splice it together with your new switch.
 
see in the bios whether you have an option to power on by keyboard. in the power options there should be something like that. I remember using something like that a couple of years ago.
 
velocityx said:
see in the bios whether you have an option to power on by keyboard. in the power options there should be something like that. I remember using something like that a couple of years ago.
Click to expand...

I could be wrong, but I believe what you're thinking of is waking the computer from sleep/standby via USB. I have seen that setting before. Won't work from a complete shutdown.


OP,
But making a remote switch would be extremely easy. All you would need is a momentary push botton, a 2-strand cable cut long enough to reach from inside the PC to where you want it on your desk. Just splice in the leads to the existing power switch on the case (3V I believe) and you're good to go. Make a nice housing/stand for the button. Maybe even hack one of thos Staples "easy" buttons! Haha :)
s0105150_sc7


For a wireless switch, there are all sorts of RF operated relays available. In prepacked form would be something like a wireless doorbell switch. Just hack the receiver and you've got a 5V relay switch which is operated momentarily by the RF remote push button. More raw forms are available as electronics kits for hobbyists. But I really would just steer clear of this wireless idea. Interference may cause your computer to randomly shutdown or power on when you don't want it to. :eek:

Go the wired route. Cheap. Easy. Simple. Straight forward. Unique. And post a worklog! :)
 
cmadki4 said:
I could be wrong, but I believe what you're thinking of is waking the computer from sleep/standby via USB. I have seen that setting before. Won't work from a complete shutdown.
Click to expand...

My mobo has the setting "Power ON:" and one of the options is "Any Key". It's been working for me, almost too well.

My car PC also has this setting. Pressing any key turns the system on, although it normally tuns on when it senses 14vDC at the PSU...
 
Arcygenical said:
My mobo has the setting "Power ON:" and one of the options is "Any Key". It's been working for me, almost too well.

My car PC also has this setting. Pressing any key turns the system on, although it normally tuns on when it senses 14vDC at the PSU...
Click to expand...

Ah, nice. I wonder if mine has that... And if the OP has that he's set!
 
Thanks for all the helpfull feedback.
I know that USB solutions are only for standby or sleep and the ports are switched off when the computer is off, so no chance to startup from USB from the off state.
I can totally imagine chaotic behaviour with a wireless solution when it comes to interference. That would be awfull.
Since the computer is only under the desk, it would be a snap to lead some wires discretely to a switch mounted somewhere on the table.

It was the kind of switch I should search for that was the root of my post.
And the answers have been more than I need, so thanks again for all the help.
 
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