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Cleaning it up- power buttons, auto boot, etc
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eyal8r:
Hi guys-
I'm ready to start putting finishing touches on my cab. I'd like to add some things, maybe you guys can help me out.

I want to have a master power & reboot button on the top of the cab, so I don't have to go inside and fumble around the computer. Are there specific types of buttons I need to do something like this?

Also- how do I get it so that windows if completely hidden upon boot up and shut down?  Obviously, I need ways to be able to get into windows enviornment at times, but- for most users, I don't want people to know it's a computer in there. Is there a way to disguise this?  IE- hide the XP startup screen, logos, music, etc?  And I am now using GameEx for my front end (for now)- how do I have windows boot directly to this smoothly?

THANKS!
subcriminal:
I'm now going to hide Windows on mine, I've changed the boot screen with BootXP so far and just set the desktop to black and hid taskbar as the desktop shows for a second before mamewah loads, you can also change Windows default sounds through the control panel.
RetroACTIVE:
Here is some good info on hiding windows:

http://tomspeirs.com/gameex/Shell.htm

from the same gent who brought you GameEx...
thebrownshow:
As far as powering up your cabinet? EASY.

1.) Get a Smart Strip (RetroBlast Review)
2.) Set your BIOS to "Restore power after AC power loss"
3.) Plug your cabinet into the control outlet
4.) Plug your PC into a switched outlet

When you turn on the power to the cabinet, the SmartStrip will apply power to the other outlets.  Your pc will sense that power has been restored to the outlet, and will fire up the PC.

If you don't have that setting in your BIOS, you'll have to be a bit trickier, but it's really the easiest way, and requires ZERO modifcation to your cabinet - you can use the existing cabinet power switch.  Really makes things transparent.

eyal8r:
Anything specific I need to do for the power/reset buttons?  Any type of button specifically to use?
Thanks
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