One Button Computer Start...?

[RoninEditor]

I didn't know how to search for this topic so hopefully this isn't old ground... but in Saint's book, he mentions that you can get your computer to start with the press of a certain button (routed from the CP).  I've never seen how to be able to do this, or select the button for it.  Have you guys done this?

Also, while using the Smartstrip, when the computer starts, does your guys' tv come on...? 

I'm concerned about this because I'm deciding on whether or not to hinge my front coindoor panel.

Thanks!

[ark_ader]

This post has been here without a reply so I will venture an opinion.

I have had my small projects switch on via a small toggle button on my CP.  You can have a switch, whatever.  Just remember if it is 110 or 240 volts and you do not know what you are doing with electricity, get a qualified electrician to check it for you.

The PSU can be ATX with some pins shorted or an AT one is more suited.  If you are using a laptop then it is a bit more work.

I use solid state drives, and DOS so I can power on and off without causing any start up issues.  If you have a laptop then I recommend flash drives.  If you need windows then a nice small footprint like Tiny XP with no swap.  Just configure/invoke swap with a ramdrive.  Windows 2000 has a compatible ramdrive for XP.

Marquee light and screen should have no problems, but I recommend a decent surge strip.

The ins and outs of software is real easy and you should have a cab wired up for one-button operation.

I won't go into specifics because it is half the fun.   

Let us say it's very do-able. 

[RoninEditor]

Thanks for the reply!

Okay, here's my setup...

HP Pavilion P4 2.6ghz, 120 internal HD (where all the ROMs, etc. are stored)
Sharp 27" TV
Happ Over/Under Coin Door with LED Lights
Groovy Game Gear's LED Marquee Light (I have the computer's power tap splitter)
Altec Lansing 4121 2.1 Speakers

Everything is plugged into the SmartStrip, the Bits Limited one:
http://catalog.bitsltd.us/index.html

I got it because Saint recommended it in the bible, er, book and he said cabs can be turned on with a single button, using this strip, but didn't mention, in the Good Book, the steps to do it.  Mind you, I'm a toooooootal moron when it comes to power, I kinda thought the computer's power (when turned on by the key stroke/button) triggers the rest, plugged into the other outlets. 

Do you know if, as of now, a setting somewhere within Windows to start-up with one keystroke?  And, if I run Mala with no Windows shell, is that keystroke/pushbutton affected?

[Encryptor]

Just do a search on smartstrip and you'll get about 6 pages.

The basic operation of the smartstrip is that there is 1 outlet that controls all the rest. You plug the pc into this outlet and everything else into the others. When you turn on the pc the smartstrip turns everything else on at the same time. Basic operation.

So you just need to run a momentary switch from the power switch connector on the motherboard to somewhere accessible on your cab. Some put in on an admin panel, some put it on top of the cab out of sight, some put it on the bottom of the cp but it's a personal choice. The switch MUST be momentary though.

That's the basics. If you want more detail info do the search on smartstrip. Hope this helps.

Encryptor

[TOK]

With the PC plugged into the control outlet on the Smart Strip, and the computers power switch wired to a button on the cab everything should work. Most newer motherboard BIOS's also have an option to shut down Windows when you hit the power switch again. Mine is set up that way, and one regular arcade button on the top of the cab turns the whole thing on. When you hit it again, it shuts down Windows and turns everything off.

[RoninEditor]

I actually figured it out how to turn it all off, it's just the on part that I'm struggling with.  Like, do you know know where I'd find a 'dipswitch' for this, like in BIOS or somewhere...?  I think if I can figure out how to turn on the PC with a keystroke, I'll be in business... I'm sure the SmartStrip will work fine for everything else.

Thanks!

[javeryh]

Rewire the power button on your computer to a pushbutton on the cabinet.  Plug everything into a SmartStrip and you will be good to go.  I'm not sure about powering on a TV like that though...

[ark_ader]

Rewire the power button on your computer to a pushbutton on the cabinet.  Plug everything into a SmartStrip and you will be good to go.  I'm not sure about powering on a TV like that though...

This a good idea but the power strip thing is overkill.

That is the problem with this hobby. 

You can make it really complicated in a few seconds.

TV powering issues are problematic when the TV doesn't remember the channel when it slips into standby.  If it is a VGA display you are laughing.

[TelcoLou]

Does anyone here use the option to have the PC power on upon a keyboard button press? I read that many newer MOBOs have this option, you just need to enable it in the BIOS. That, coupled with a smartstrip would be the ideal situation (well, for me ... I have a deep phobia of re-wiring things) .. just press any of the buttons on the control panel to boot up the PC.

[javeryh]

Rewire the power button on your computer to a pushbutton on the cabinet.  Plug everything into a SmartStrip and you will be good to go.  I'm not sure about powering on a TV like that though...

This a good idea but the power strip thing is overkill.

That is the problem with this hobby. 

You can make it really complicated in a few seconds.

TV powering issues are problematic when the TV doesn't remember the channel when it slips into standby.  If it is a VGA display you are laughing.

Why is the SmartStrip overkill?  I have the computer plugged into the "hot" outlet and the speakers, marquee light, coin door LEDs and monitor plugged into the other outlets.  When I press the button to turn on the computer the SmartStrip powers up the other outlets and everything comes on at once.  Is there an easier way to do this that I'm not aware of?

[DeLuSioNal29]

I have the same setup as javeryh and it couldn't be simpler.

~ DeLuSioNaL

[ideft]

Some motherboards have the option to power on from a keyboard press, usually the space bar.  Which makes ideal since it is a default button in Mame.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I prefer to have it somewhere high up on the arcade unit.  Out of the reach of small children.  Having it as the default spacebar is nice and handy, but maybe too handy when a child runs over to it and mashes all the buttons on the control panel and inadvertently turns it on.

~ DeLuSioNaL

[ideft]

That is a risk he will have to take.  Plus kids only do it if they see YOU do it.  Maybe they are trying to tell you they want to play.  Also, if there is a chair or stool nearby they will figure out how to turn it on...eventually.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I meant other kids than your own.  Sorry about that.

~ DeLuSioNaL

[javeryh]

Some motherboards have the option to power on from a keyboard press, usually the space bar.  Which makes ideal since it is a default button in Mame.

That's fine but how would you power everything else on without the SmartStrip?

[ideft]

You would use it in conjunction with a smart strip or a relay.

[javeryh]

You would use it in conjunction with a smart strip or a relay.

So then the SmartStrip isn't overkill?   That was the original suggestion above.  If I understand correctly people are saying there's no need to rewire the power button on the computer to somewhere on the cabinet if you power on with a button press through the BIOS or whatever but the SmartStrip is still necessary?  Seems like splitting hairs at that point...

 

[ex_directory]

Does anyone here use the option to have the PC power on upon a keyboard button press? I read that many newer MOBOs have this option, you just need to enable it in the BIOS. That, coupled with a smartstrip would be the ideal situation (well, for me ... I have a deep phobia of re-wiring things) .. just press any of the buttons on the control panel to boot up the PC.

I did this, I have an abit mobo which has a password option for startup in the bios, i set it to the letter s, one of the cp p2 buttons. The only thing is when young kids come around they press all the keys and so it turns on. Easily overcome by a 3 key password i guess. Not sure if all abit mobo's have this feature but it was good solution as there was no extra wiring required.

[stevodevo]

Here is another older link that I had saved...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=19304.40

I'm 'electrically challenged' so I'm still trying to figure out exactly how some of these solutions work.

What I have currently is a hacked power strip that turns on everything *but* my PC from a switch on the side of the cab.  What I'd like to know is if there is something (relay?) I can insert at the point of the PC power-on switch that will also cause the PC to turn on when I turn on the power strip.

Any suggestions?

nm:  found this: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=77450.0

It looks like the instructions here are a bit more clear than the older post I had listed first... thanks!

I hope peale doesn't mind me sharing this link again:
http://www.pealefamily.net/tech/captrick/

[The_Tyler_Black]

what i did was instead of replacing the power switch, i spliced into it. i ran the wires to a pushbutton mounted at the top of the cabinet, but left a button in the computer, so if i ever have to work on it i dont have to stand up to turn it on! I use a smart strip on my computer (seems like the logical way of doing it)!

[ideft]

What I have currently is a hacked power strip that turns on everything *but* my PC from a switch on the side of the cab.  What I'd like to know is if there is something (relay?) I can insert at the point of the PC power-on switch that will also cause the PC to turn on when I turn on the power strip.

Check in your BIOS if there is a power on after ac failure option, if so enable it and plug your PC into your power bar.  Once your you hit your switch your PC will detect power and turn itself on.

[RoninEditor]

What I have currently is a hacked power strip that turns on everything *but* my PC from a switch on the side of the cab.  What I'd like to know is if there is something (relay?) I can insert at the point of the PC power-on switch that will also cause the PC to turn on when I turn on the power strip.

Check in your BIOS if there is a power on after ac failure option, if so enable it and plug your PC into your power bar.  Once your you hit your switch your PC will detect power and turn itself on.

Ah, now that sounds like a good option.

[ark_ader]

You would use it in conjunction with a smart strip or a relay.

So then the SmartStrip isn't overkill?   That was the original suggestion above.  If I understand correctly people are saying there's no need to rewire the power button on the computer to somewhere on the cabinet if you power on with a button press through the BIOS or whatever but the SmartStrip is still necessary?  Seems like splitting hairs at that point...

 

It is since all of your devices in a cabinet can be powered by USB. All my cabs are powered this way, except my submini as they use pre USB.  For them I use a micro AT PSU or a small transformer.

I do not like too many high voltage devices in a cab as the heat factor can be high also your monitor and PC heat is something you can accomplish passively instead of installing noisy fans.  It worked for the old cabs, and I cannot see why we need to complicate matters.

Using a SmartStrip is fine, but is quite unnecessary IMHO. 

[stevodevo]

What I have currently is a hacked power strip that turns on everything *but* my PC from a switch on the side of the cab.  What I'd like to know is if there is something (relay?) I can insert at the point of the PC power-on switch that will also cause the PC to turn on when I turn on the power strip.

Check in your BIOS if there is a power on after ac failure option, if so enable it and plug your PC into your power bar.  Once your you hit your switch your PC will detect power and turn itself on.

But wouldn't that require me to essentially 'pull the plug' on the system whenever I shut down?  Currently I shut down through the front-end (mamewah) then turn off the main switch.  I'm using windows xp as my OS so I have to think a clean shut down is better in the long run...

I'm gonna try peale's cap idea once I can find one that meets his recommended specs.

but thx for the suggestion.

[javeryh]

It is since all of your devices in a cabinet can be powered by USB.

I'm not sure I understand... I have power plugs on my computer, monitor, speakers and marquee light to deal with.  Even if I had some sort of USB powered speakers and marquee light how do you deal with the monitor?  Unless the monitor is always "on" and the computer is sleeping or something... I don't know...

[ideft]

But wouldn't that require me to essentially 'pull the plug' on the system whenever I shut down?  Currently I shut down through the front-end (mamewah) then turn off the main switch.  I'm using windows xp as my OS so I have to think a clean shut down is better in the long run...

you would shut down first then kill the main switch.  if you want to start everything back up just turn on the main switch again.  Yes it is a bit of a downfall that when you shut down your computer everything else doesn't turn off, but that are what relays are for.

[ark_ader]

It is since all of your devices in a cabinet can be powered by USB.

I'm not sure I understand... I have power plugs on my computer, monitor, speakers and marquee light to deal with.  Even if I had some sort of USB powered speakers and marquee light how do you deal with the monitor?  Unless the monitor is always "on" and the computer is sleeping or something... I don't know...

Don't be a dope you know what I'm talking about.   

[severdhed]

i had my cabinet set to turn on with a keyboard button, it worked great, however my cats were constantly turning my cabinet on.  so i used a pushbutton wired as the pc power button and put it on top of the cabinet.  they still turn it on now and then, but not nearly as often as when i could press any button on the panel.... just something to think about if you have cats.

[Zimram]

Does anyone have a link to the details involved in rewiring the power button on the PC.

I have an extra game button and could feasibly do this,  but if there is a way to mess it up I will naturally find it unless I have explicit directions.

[fronty]

.

[ghettodish]

Search for SpyStyle's directions. You don't have to mess with BIOS at all. You simply replace your computers' power button with an arcade button. He also shows you how to make your own SmartStrip for cheap.

[shardian]

There are a ton of ways to accomplish the power button.

My personal setup:
-Replace monitor power tact switch with arcade pushbutton.
-Sears smartstrip w/ monitor as controller
-PC set to auto power on when it senses line power.

I hit p1+p2 to power down the whole setup, because the monitor's standby mode is conveniently not strong enough to maintain power to the switched outlets.


Another possibility to power on the pc is to set the pc to auto-on, then wire  a toggle in line with the power cord. This is preferred if your monitor is auto-on. What is nice about this is that you don't need a smart strip.

[deepblue]

The Bios on my PC (and others I've seen) has an option to start the pc from a keyboard command (spacebar, ALT, etc.) Which is what I use.I then have Maximus Arcade (my FE) setup to shut the PC down when I hold down a specific set of buttons for 3 seconds.

On your TV question - it depends. Some TVs "remember" their last state, and will come on with the power restored, while others will require an active "power on" command via remote or by pushing the power button on the TV.