Mains plug/socket with delay?

[mike_bike_kite]

I'm sure there are such things but I couldn't find them anywhere. I want something (preferably cheap) to allow my monitor to turn on a minute or two after the PC has started. This way I don't get all the boot up screens etc appearing on screen. Does anyone have a product name or a link for something suitable?

[Thenasty]

use a secondary Video Card. Make the OS boot from that then when the FE runs, it uses the First Card (or versa versa)

or have a sepearate switch (on/off) for the monitors.

Or maybe the Power Strip (forgot what it was) might do it (dunno)

[mike_bike_kite]

Thanks for your input guys but does anyone know of a product (preferably cheap) I can buy - I was looking for a simple plug with a timer dial on it, say 0 to 5 minutes, and it would pass the voltage through once the delay was over. This seems like something that should be available for all sorts of purposes but I can't find it (and yes I tried your google suggestion).

[bkenobi]

Search for "power delay relay" on ebay.  I found a bunch of products starting from ~$8 shipped.  The cheaper ones have a delay of 1-60 seconds.  I saw some more expensive ones for $15+shipping that could do 1-999 minutes.

[mike_bike_kite]

Search for "power delay relay" on ebay.  I found a bunch of products starting from ~$8 shipped.  The cheaper ones have a delay of 1-60 seconds.  I saw some more expensive ones for $15+shipping that could do 1-999 minutes.

That seems to get the right results. Many thanks and sorry for the slow reply. Do you know whether they'd start the timer the moment the mains turns on? it's just many of them seem to have buttons on the front with little description of whether I need to press a button to start the timer - obviously this wouldn't be what I'm after.

[bkenobi]

Ask the seller.  I'd guess that you specify the time of the delay on the front and it will simply delay that period from when the unit is powered up.  I mean, that's what you would think a delay relay would do, wouldn't you?

[mike_bike_kite]

Cheers. That's certainly what I'd expect but the additional button and curious wiring connections seem odd. I'm sure these are the right things though.