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Finishing Touches: The Power Switch
SteveJ34:
I've been wrapping up a few finishing details, one of which is a single power switch for for all that is contained in the cab.
I have sourced ATX power supplies (mfr'd by POWERMAX) that have an additional power source for plugging the power strip into which in turn provides power for marquee, TV, and speaker amp when the computer is switched on.
I have been unsuccessful in getting the Power On from Keyboard to work for my motherboard, an EPOX 8K7A+ (if you have a KBPO feature working on your EPOX mb model, please write me).
This is my preferred method so I can set a key in BIOS and just power on from CP, but when I enable this jumper on my motherboard and bios, I cannot get the darn thing to even power on using the main power switch on the front of the case.
So.... I am moving in the direction of just wiring a switch external of the case to the motherboard. I understand this needs to be a momentary contact switch.
Question: Can someone direct me to what type of momentary switch could be used for this application? Should this switch be normally open, normally closed, or does it matter?
Here's a link to momentary contact switches atRadio Shack:
http://www.radioshack.com/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F010%5F007%5F001%5F000&Page=2
Would any of these fit the bill?
I have an extra case button that I could use from an ATX case but it doesn't really have a "button". It is designed for a case with actual button being a part of the front of the case.
I look forward to any and all replies.
Kind Regards,
Steve
Carsten Carlos:
Hi!
Normaly open would do the trick - as it is all low-power, the cheapest will do.
Didn't get the power-on-keyboard to work, too. I'll use a different mainboard anyway, so maybe I'll have more luck then. The current mainboard I have choosen can react on the right or left mousebutton, but i doesn't.
Rick Osborn:
I think the easiest solution is this :
1) Get yourself a switch
2) Get a surge protector / power strip
3) Cut open and strip the wire casing on the power cord coming from the power strip. Just expose 3" - 4"
4) Cut and strip the WHITE wire (there will be 3 wires - black green and white)
5) Cut 2 lengths of 18 gauge wire to whatever length you'll need to reach from the power strip to where you want the button mounted. Strip 1.5" from each end.
6) Twist the ends of each 18 gauge wire to each of the white wires and finish with wire caps. You'll have a long wire coming from each cut white wire from the power strip.
7) Attach the other ends of the 18 gauge wire to the switch by using quick connects.
8) Switch the power strip to the ON position and leave it always ON. The switch you added to the length of wire will now control the power to the power strip.
9) Set the power option in your PC bios to "Power on" when power is lost and then restored.
10) Plug your PC and anything else that doesn't require constant power into that power strip. Example, whatever you want to turn on with the master switch.
11) The first time doing this you will have to switch the PC on manually. But after that, just shutdown normally and then use the new power switch to cut power.
When you switch power back on, the PC will boot right up because it had lost power and now is getting power, so the bios will tell the PC to boot.
This is very simple to do and doesn't require you to hack your PC power or anything. The only hacking is to a power strip wire. Then mount your switch wherever. use a project box from Radio Shack to keep it self contained and then just mount that box for a neater look.
Rick
--- Quote ---I've been wrapping up a few finishing details, one of which is a single power switch for for all that is contained in the cab.
I have sourced ATX power supplies (mfr'd by POWERMAX) that have an additional power source for
--- End quote ---
Lilwolf:
My bios doesn't have the option for turn on with the power is turned on..
someone told me that if you cross two connections on the cable going from the powersupply to the motherboard, it will act like the motherboard sent the turnon signal.... it didn't work for me (and didn't blow anything luckly).
Anyone have a real solution for this?
Jakobud:
I have to have 3 switches basically.
1. Rocker Switch for Powerstrip (hacked like the one described above).
2. Button for cpu. After turning on the power strip, my cpu, marquee light, and tv all have power. Now I just press this button to actually turn on my cpu
3. Power button for TV. I have no bezel on my cabinet using a tv because I am using a 24" Sony Wega. It's silver and looks cool, so I just leave it as is. The button for this is just the normal power button located on the front of the tv like normal.
I would love to figure out a one button solution...but it won't happen for me. I couldn't get the keyboard power on to work for my mobo either :(
Jakobud