Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: arcadeboy0000 on May 21, 2005, 09:11:14 pm

Title: Arcade button for computer on
Post by: arcadeboy0000 on May 21, 2005, 09:11:14 pm
Hey everyone. How can I convert an arcade button (cherry switch) to a computer on button? Should I cut the wire from the computer power on and splice it together with longer wires to attach to the button? If so, is it as simple as attaching the white ground wire to the ground of the cherry switch and the other colored wire to the normally open?
Title: Re: Arcade button for computer on
Post by: grueinthebox on May 21, 2005, 09:35:18 pm
Yup, it's just that simple.
Title: Re: Arcade button for computer on
Post by: krick on May 21, 2005, 11:00:45 pm
I picked up a push button switch from radio shack (see below) and mounted it in spot where my cabinet originally had a toggle switch.  One press turns on my computer, another press shuts down my computer.  I put a Vantec ION 400B power supply (also see below) in my PC that has a switched AC outlet on the back.  I've plugged the cabinet power cord (powers the monitor and marquee) into that outlet and it switches on and off with the PC.


RadioShack Momentary Switch
Normally open. Includes one red and one black. Pkg. of 2
Catalog #: 275-609
$3.29
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062496
(http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2160405w345.jpg)

Vantec ION 400B power supply
http://www.vantecusa.com/p_van_400b.html
(http://www.vantecusa.com/moreimage/images/ion_image01.jpg)

Title: Re: Arcade button for computer on
Post by: testicle187 on May 21, 2005, 11:04:01 pm
Hey everyone. How can I convert an arcade button (cherry switch) to a computer on button? Should I cut the wire from the computer power on and splice it together with longer wires to attach to the button? If so, is it as simple as attaching the white ground wire to the ground of the cherry switch and the other colored wire to the normally open?

You can use a harness connector like the one coming from a CDDA cable that comes with CD-ROM drives, so you don't have to splice your actual cable from your case.
Title: Re: Arcade button for computer on
Post by: Joystick Jerk on May 21, 2005, 11:29:54 pm
Also check the BIOS options for your mobo, as many have an option to active the PC with a keypress, and then you simply have to bind that assigned key to your chosen arcade button.
Title: Re: Arcade button for computer on
Post by: arcadeboy0000 on May 22, 2005, 06:28:23 am
Thanks for the suggestions guys!