Author Topic: Getting PC to power up... (Read 3625 times)

TacoSmuggler · « **on:** April 15, 2003, 04:38:41 am »

This may sound dumb...

I put my PC in a hard to reach part of my cab. I have everything connected to a powerstrip. I hate to have to reach into the cab everytime I start it up to hit the power button on the PC.
Is there a way to make the PC start up once I power on the strip?

(I am using Windows 98)

aj6500 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2003, 06:27:06 am »

You should be able to jump the switch with another one mounted elsewhere on your cab. If your power switch clicks in and stays in, you'll a regular push on, push off. If it just clicks and returns to the forward position, you'll need a momentary, normally open switch. Then just put a jumper wire from each side of the case switch and wire to each side of the remote switch.

VMJ Team · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2003, 08:10:54 am »

The BIOS may allow you to power-up on "power loss" with the touch of any key...meaning, turn on your power switch and press any button on your control panel...this is how I have my cab and jukebox set up.

rampy · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2003, 10:23:36 am »

Assuming a semi-modern PC, you extend:

A. extend the power switch as suggested above (normally open, momentary pushbutton (either an arcade button, a small button, or a doorbell-esque button)

B. Do the bios power up after power loss thingie

C. Assign a keystroke to powerup (modern bioses usually have this option) and assign it to a keystroke(s) on your CP (assuming keyboard encoder/hack)

D. behold the 1 button powerup power strip inthis thread 8bit started that's a good companion to the above mentioned ways of turning "ON" your pc.

E. do the extend a button or other means of turning on your PC... and do the relay thang to switch on marquee lights, speakers, monitors, etc etc etc

I realize I took your question one step farther, but hope it helps regardless...

rampy

shmokes · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2003, 11:15:15 am »

There is another way. The power cable that runs from your PC's power supply to the motherboard has about 20 wires or so. if you cut the green wire and one of the black wires and hook them together than it will start automatically whenever there is a power source (i.e. when you plug the cabinet into the wall or flip the switch on the power strip). Just to make sure that your power supply is set up this way unhook it from your components and get a little piece of wire and just stick it in the end of the connector on both the green and one of the black wires. Apply power and see if the fans start up on the power supply.

This sounds a little confusing. Let me know if I'm making no sense.

SirPeale · « **Reply #5 on:** April 15, 2003, 11:58:50 am »

Quote from: shmokes on April 15, 2003, 11:15:15 am

There is another way. The power cable that runs from your PC's power supply to the motherboard has about 20 wires or so. if you cut the green wire and one of the black wires and hook them together than it will start automatically whenever there is a power source (i.e. when you plug the cabinet into the wall or flip the switch on the power strip). Just to make sure that your power supply is set up this way unhook it from your components and get a little piece of wire and just stick it in the end of the connector on both the green and one of the black wires. Apply power and see if the fans start up on the power supply.

This sounds a little confusing. Let me know if I'm making no sense.

This is, of course, only to be used on ATX power supplies.

All wires are color coded on ATX PS's. Black are grounds. Not sure what the green are. Like the man said, take a short length of wire, and short the green wire with any of the black wires. It'll come on.

However, I'm not sure if it supplies power correctly to the motherboard in this state. I know it does to the drive headers. Can someone elaborate?

Frostillicus · « **Reply #6 on:** April 15, 2003, 12:12:07 pm »

My computer automatically just turns on after I plug in the power cord to the wall - does anyone else's do this? it's pretty convenient.

shmokes · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2003, 12:31:57 pm »

Yes...that's another important thing. I would bet that if Frosty took a look in his BIOS setup he would find a setting something like "power on after power failure -- enabled". On many motherboards you can accomplish all this without any hacking so check there first. I believe that the power supply hack I'm talking about will indeed fire up the motherboard. I haven't done it, but I'm pretty sure others here have. When a motherboard fires up it pretty much does the same thing I think.

I don't know. I'm not a doctor.

Cue-Ball · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2003, 01:16:29 pm »

One thing to note is that you can only do the "power on after failure" trick if you're using DOS. Windows doesn't like being powered off without proper shut down. Especially Win2K or XP.

Several other people have used a relay to power up the rest of the cabinet when the PC is powered on. I'm in the process of setting up my cab this way right now. You can run a momentary switch to the outside of the cab which will operate the PC's normal power button. Then hook up the relay to turn on your power strip when the PC powers up.

Here's a link with more info and a short how-to:
http://home.bendcable.com/werstlein/

Aceldamor · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2003, 01:21:07 pm »

In my bios settings under the Advanced Settings, there is an option for keystroke powerup. You could change from password, any key, or disabled. I changed mine to any key and now whenever I hit a key or move a joystick on my cp, the pc powers up. Very Awsome!!!

BASSOFeeSH · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2003, 01:27:16 pm »

Quote from: Cue-Ball on April 15, 2003, 01:16:29 pm

Windows doesn't like being powered off without proper shut down. Especially Win2K or XP.

While it's not really the best idea to just pull the power, I was under the impression that Win2k/XP with NTFS didn't really suffer to many problems from this. I know it was much easier to screw up Win9X this way.

AX · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2003, 01:46:02 pm »

it's not a software issue when improper shutdown is concerned. It is the fact that older hard drives and some newer ones simply dropped the read/write arm ontot he plater causing errors and sometimes damage to that area of the drive. Most modern semi-decent hard drives have protections in them now a day but I still wouldn't do it.

Wade · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2003, 03:22:13 pm »

I don't think it's a physical hard drive issue, hard drives have been auto parking since the 20mb IDE days. Only the really old RRL/MFM hard disks (< 20 mb generally) had to be parked.

No computer running Windows is going to have a hard drive this old or this small, nor have physical hard drive problems if not shut down properly. It is entirely a software issue.

Wade

BASSOFeeSH · « **Reply #13 on:** April 15, 2003, 04:40:34 pm »

i.e. delayed writing.

Windows(or the harddrives) cache writes & don't always do them immediately. Data loss can occur when the power is removed.

DinoRoger · « **Reply #14 on:** April 15, 2003, 05:44:59 pm »

I am using a 1.8GHz portable system in my MAME cab. I soldered 2 wires to the button board on the laptop to a normal push button mounted on top of my case. It will power on the system and in Widnows XP will perform a noraml shutdown. I am sure your should be able to do the same thing to the power switch on your desktop case.

Jakobud · « **Reply #15 on:** April 15, 2003, 07:19:55 pm »

Just to let you guys know, with modern BIOS's if you have it set to "Power On After Power Loss" then even if you properly do a Windows shutdown, let it shut down, then unplug the power, plugging the power back in will make it automatically boot up. You don't have to cut the power while you are still in Windows.

Cue-Ball · « **Reply #16 on:** April 15, 2003, 07:28:08 pm »

That's true, but then you're not gaining anything. You still end up doing two steps: 1) Shutting down the PC, 2) Turning off the power strip

The whole idea here is that by using a relay you can do everything at one time with one simple step. For example, my machine has a momentary switch wired to the PCs power switch. Assuming the PC has power running to it's power cord, i just press that button and the PC powers up. If i use a relay connected to the PC to control the power for a power strip, then the entire power strip will turn on when i press the button to turn on the PC. When i want to shut down i just press the power button again. Windows will recognize this and shut down gracefully. When the computer powers down, the relay is turned off and everything else in the cabinet is powered down (marquee light, trackball light, speakers, etc).

It takes some wiring, but this is the only way to make your cab a "one step" power on and power off (unless you're using DOS and can power off at any time).

TacoSmuggler · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2003, 01:54:59 pm »

Quote from: CyberPunk on April 15, 2003, 08:10:54 am

The BIOS may allow you to power-up on "power loss" with the touch of any key...meaning, turn on your power switch and press any button on your control panel...this is how I have my cab and jukebox set up.

Where does one find this Bios setting? I cant figure out how to change the Bios? $:-\$

(I sound real sad, dont I?)

mpm32 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 16, 2003, 02:10:15 pm »

Press F2 while your pc is powering up that will bring you into the bios settings.

ErikRuud · « **Reply #19 on:** April 16, 2003, 02:26:03 pm »

F2 does not work on all machines. The HP machine that I have in my cabinet does use F2, my new E-Machines PC uses the Delete key.

TacoSmuggler · « **Reply #20 on:** April 17, 2003, 02:16:49 am »

Well, my motherboard does NOT have the bios setting for "power on after power loss". $:-\$

nothing that even resembles it in the bios. I guess I have to pull the computer out and wire up a contact switch to the power button.

(I was really trying to avoid having to pull out the computer..it's a pain to get at)

Thanks to everyone for answering another one of my stupid questions!

Frostillicus · « **Reply #21 on:** April 17, 2003, 11:23:29 am »

This is how mine works - I don't have any special bios settings. I use windows XP Pro, too.

I turn on the power strip - the computer starts to boot up into xp
I can click the front computer power button once and it starts the software shutdown. Then I turn the powerstrip off.
Then I can turn the powerstrip on...computer boots up...repeat process etc.

This is a fine setup for me since I like to have lights stay on, but the computer off when I'm not playing. I turn it all off completely if I leave for the weekend.

If you want everything to work with just one flick of a switch to turn it on and then to turn it all off, why not just use a shutdown script or something from your fronted?

Cue-Ball · « **Reply #22 on:** April 17, 2003, 01:28:14 pm »

How would you possibly write a script that can control a power supply?

_Iz- · « **Reply #23 on:** April 17, 2003, 01:49:18 pm »

Quote from: Cue-Ball on April 17, 2003, 01:28:14 pm

How would you possibly write a script that can control a power supply?

An ATX powersupply is capable of being switched off via software, specifically an ACPI aware host OS. Same thing as pushing the powerbutton on an ATX computer running win98 or higher, it tells the OS to initiate shutdown. You can code a command to tell the OS to do the same thing. It's exactly the same as clicking start -> shutdown -> turn off.

rampy · « **Reply #24 on:** April 17, 2003, 03:41:21 pm »

hey isn't this thread about powering up a PC without reaching in to the cabinet?

Everyone's on tehre own if they want to power down... just leave teh cabinet on indefinitely=P

There's many way's to skin a cat or BYOAC's... there's no definitive "right" answer. (although for 20 bucks and a ride to sears, I know how i'm gonna solve my cabinet powering issues)

Rampy

_Iz- · « **Reply #25 on:** April 17, 2003, 03:59:49 pm »

I have a button on my cabinet that powers up the PC. It's just a standard arcade button wired to where my case power switch used to connect to my motherboard. The beauty of an ATX powersupply and windows being ACPI aware means I can also push this button to do a proper shutdown/power off as well. If I got one of those fancy powerbars with the sensing outlet that controls the rest of the strip then this setup would power EVERYTHING on and off from the single button and do it properly without corrupting windows.

I don't have the fancy-schmancy sensing powerbar because

1: I use a PC monitor which goes into standby anyway when the computer turns off
2: I really don't care if my speakers stay on or not and
3: I like to be able to turn my marquee light on or off independent of the rest of the system. Sometimes I just like to have it on when the system is off because it looks cool, mostly the kids like to have it off when they're playing because that's what they prefer... So I have the marquee light plugged directly into power and wired to the original switch on the top of my cabinet that used to turn the original game on and off...

Cue-Ball · « **Reply #26 on:** April 17, 2003, 04:42:29 pm »

Quote from: _Iz- on April 17, 2003, 01:49:18 pm

Quote from: Cue-Ball on April 17, 2003, 01:28:14 pm
How would you possibly write a script that can control a power supply?

An ATX powersupply is capable of being switched off via software, specifically an ACPI aware host OS. Same thing as pushing the powerbutton on an ATX computer running win98 or higher, it tells the OS to initiate shutdown. You can code a command to tell the OS to do the same thing. It's exactly the same as clicking start -> shutdown -> turn off.

Let me clarify. What i should have said is "How would you possibly write a script that can control a power STRIP?"

Turning the PC on and off is easy. The big problem becomes how to turn on/off the marquee, coin lights, trackball lights, etc without needing a separate power switch (ie: the switch on the power strip that everything is plugged into). The only way i've seen this done properly (unless you're using DOS) is to either hack a power strip or construct a junction box that is powered using a relay connected to the PC.

_Iz- · « **Reply #27 on:** April 17, 2003, 04:55:21 pm »

You can buy powerbars with a sort of built-in relay. They have one always hot outlet and monitor the current on it. (They have several other "controlled" outlets as well). The idea is, you plug your PC into the sensor outlet, it always has power and the PC works as normal. The powerbar monitors this outlet and when it notices that the current is flowing (PC turned on) it automatically activates the rest of the outlets. When the PC turns off, it notices the lack of current flow on the sensor outlet and kills the power to the rest of the outlets. Now all you need is a way to turn the PC on and off (my externally mounted pushbutton example is ideal) and everthing else is taken care of.

There have been several posts mentioning where these special powerbars are available from. I believe Rampy alluded to them with his "$20 and a ride to Sears" comment in this very thread. They do not require any modification or hacking, they are "plug and play" - ready to go.

rampy · « **Reply #28 on:** April 17, 2003, 05:25:39 pm »

yeah I alluded!

anyways to bring this full circle.. or uh.. something...

may I point out this thread in buy/sell/trade: Found cheap supplier of 1 button power supplies

*shrug*...

rampy

SirPeale · « **Reply #29 on:** April 17, 2003, 07:51:04 pm »

Quote from: Cue-Ball on April 17, 2003, 01:28:14 pm

How would you possibly write a script that can control a power supply?

See http://www.skum.org/bartop/software.htm

Cue-Ball · « **Reply #30 on:** April 17, 2003, 08:15:23 pm »

Rampy - thanks a bunch for the link to that other thread. That helped a bunch!

TacoSmuggler · « **Reply #31 on:** April 17, 2003, 09:04:22 pm »

The question has to do with powering up my PC. Again, I appreciate all the help....

I am confused and I might have missed something however. If I am correct, the powerstrip recommendation is moot considering I cant make my computer power on when the juice is turned on.

Therefore, I MUST wire a button to the main power button on my computer tower.

Did I miss something?? Am I wrong?

rampy · « **Reply #32 on:** April 17, 2003, 09:14:19 pm »

Quote from: TacoSmuggler on April 17, 2003, 09:04:22 pm

The question has to do with powering up my PC. Again, I appreciate all the help....

I am confused and I might have missed something however. If I am correct, the powerstrip recommendation is moot considering I cant make my computer power on when the juice is turned on.

Therefore, I MUST wire a button to the main power button on my computer tower.

Did I miss something?? Am I wrong?

I'm pretty sure that was addressed earlier during the thread....

OPTION1: You can (most likely) change your settings in BIOS to power up via keystroke.

OPTION2: You can extend the header plug / wire to any momentary switch mounted somewhere on your cabinet... you can use a doorbell, or an arcade button, or other momentary pushbutton typ e switch...

If you used one of these techniques in conjunction with either the diy relay thingie, or a sears or other fancy autosensing power strip you'll have a pretty nifty 1 button power up for your cabinet....

*shrug*

rampy

DZuroff · « **Reply #33 on:** April 17, 2003, 09:18:42 pm »

That is what I would do. Keep in mind that everything else in this thread is very useful because once you get the PC to power up, you then have the problem of shutting down properly. One thing to note in addition to all the other suggestions... Windows XP (and I believe 2000) have a setting so when you press and immediately release the power button, Windows initiates the shutdown sequence which shuts down windows and turns off the PC. This prevents a dirty shutdown and when used in conjunction with a power strip that turns other compenents on or off when the "master" device is turned on or off is a good solution IMO!


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