I mounted an arcade button to the side of the cabinet. I picked Black so it would blend in (and it does):
This button is wired to the terminal block on the inside of the cabinet (more on that below).
The PC is plugged into the "MASTER" outlet of a Philips smartstrip.
The monitor and audio amplifier are plugged into the controlled outlets.
I found a nice empty spot on the PC case and I mounted one of these:
The "RST" is tapped into the momentary on power switch on the front of the PC case. I traced the wires from the switch to a couple of connections on the motherboard... they were marked "reset".
Once I verified that it was really the reset switch, I cut the wire and tapped in.
The 12v comes from one of peripheral power connectors.
With the PC inside the cabinet, I use a "patch cord" to connect these connections to the terminal block that I had installed in the cabinet.
My connections from the PC to the cabinet:
- reset switch to terminal block
- 12V to terminal block (for marquee and coin door lighting and for rear fan)
- audio out to amplifier to terminal block (for left and right speakers)
- USB to: U360, Electric Ice Trackball, and TurboTwist2 Spinner
- PS2 to Keywiz40
- [USB keyboard and PS2 mouse]
One push of the button on the side of the cabinet and it all comes to life.... another push and it all shuts down.