Can I wire a Power on PC button to a Shazaam key?

[melarky]

I am going to be finishing up my cocktail cabinet soon, and we drilled the holes in the CP last night, and got to thinking about how to power the thing on.  In another cab, we hooked a standard arcade button into the computer to power it on (once it's on, the same button does not power the machine off).

I was wondering, would I be able to pull double duty on this button and have it power on the machine when it's off, but when the machine is on, function as my "shift" or "shazaam" key (I have a key wiz keyboard encoder).

I have a fairly limited understanding on how the wiring for this works, so I'm just wondering if it's even possible.

[Fozzy The Bear]

I have a fairly limited understanding on how the wiring for this works, so I'm just wondering if it's even possible.

The simple answer is NO! The shazzzam key and the Keywiz will only be active after the computer is powered on, and you can't run another set of wires to the same button switch especially ones carrying a 5V contact line!! you'd be likely to fry your Keywiz trying this.

The only way this might be possible is if you have a button that has two entirely separate microswitches on it.... But even then it probably wouldn't work because on 99% of PC's, if you hold the start switch down for 4 seconds the computer WILL do a power off shut down and not in a nice clean way either.

This is not a good idea in any case as, holding down the Shazzzam (shift key) while you're pressing other buttons may take longer than 4 seconds and your computer would go into sleep mode or power off shut down.

Just drill another hole for the start button.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

 

[fjl]

Its possible if he uses NAND Gate(is it a nand gate? i forget my digital electronic) so that when there is power, it wont allow it to function as a power switch. Unless you know alot about electronics, I wouldn't even bother doing this. Would be too much trouble.

[Fozzy The Bear]

Its possible if he uses NAND Gate(is it a nand gate? i forget my digital electronic) so that when there is power, it wont allow it to function as a power switch. Unless you know alot about electronics, I wouldn't even bother doing this. Would be too much trouble.

It could be done with a double pole double throw relay, which would be easier.... but would still require an understanding of the electronics.

At the end of the day, it's complexity for no real reason. Something else in the system to go wrong.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[steveh]

Couldent he just bind the shazam key combo to a "sleep" or hibernate key?   which would effectively turn it off, and on (althought not really turning it off).  Thats what the "power" button on my Media Center remote does.

[spacies]

Wouldn't the easiest way be to extend the wires that already come from the mobo and use the original switch and mount it somewhere for easy access?

It could easily be connected to a buttons microswitch as its only 2 wires, isn't it?

[steveh]

Wouldn't the easiest way be to extend the wires that already come from the mobo and use the original switch and mount it somewhere for easy access?

It could easily be connected to a buttons microswitch as its only 2 wires, isn't it?

this is the most logical choice

[Fozzy The Bear]

Wouldn't the easiest way be to extend the wires that already come from the mobo and use the original switch and mount it somewhere for easy access?

It could easily be connected to a buttons microswitch as its only 2 wires, isn't it?

this is the most logical choice

Yes Boys.... But that's what he was trying to avoid having to do, because he didn't want an extra button on his cabinet.

That said.... That would also be my advice and in fact was my advice in the first post I made.  Drill another hole and fit another button for the power on switch.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[xmenxmen]

I use one those tiny push button and mount it on the top of the cabinet. 



Just drill a small hole and push the sucker in.