Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Cero21 on May 14, 2009, 09:48:14 am
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Valid question I'm sure many of you went over. How do you initally turn your computer monitor on when it is mounted behind glass in your mame cab? I know the monitor will turn on and off with the computer but that is only after it is turned on initially by pushing the button.
I ended up sandwiching a piece of wood between the glass and the monitor so the button is always pushed. Somehow this worked to turn it on when power is pluged into the wall.
Is there a better solution that ppl use?
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Yes. Try using a SmartStrip. You plug your computer into the control outlet so when you power it on everything else comes on too (monitor, speakers, marquee light, etc.). It works perfectly.
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All of the monitors I've used will power on once you send power to them, as long as they were on when they last went off.
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I use a Smart Strip (http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/Smart-Energy/Smart-Strip/smart strip).
Others rig up a relay.
There is a wiki (http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Power_Options).
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I would either put a switch in line with the power cord (a nornal wall switch is designed to carry that much current) or in paralell with the switch inside the monitor, but that's just me. The smart strip is the best way to do it, but I can't be bothered to go out and buy one (yet).
P.S. my friends often remark that I have no fear of electricity so if you don't want to hack a switch in, buy a smart strip
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All of the monitors I've used will power on once you send power to them, as long as they were on when they last went off.
Same here. The monitor stays on. Set the computer to boot on power and then all I need to do is flip on the power switch on the surge protector.
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All of the monitors I've used will power on once you send power to them, as long as they were on when they last went off.
Same here. The monitor stays on. Set the computer to boot on power and then all I need to do is flip on the power switch on the surge protector.
Exact same thing I do.
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I'm really curious what monitor you have.
All my screens wake up from standby when the computer boots, and they go into stanby if they get power again. So 1 press on the power button ever is enough to keep them turning on when they get power+signal.
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I guess I should clarify a bit more.
I use a smartstrip on my cab already. However, on the initial plugging in the monitor it isn't "on". Therefore turning on the computer at this point doesn't turn on the monitor. I have to press the power button on the monitor itself to turn it on, at which point it will stay on if the computer is on or go to standby if it is off.
It's a benq 940 I think.
I just tried on my 20" acer and it does turn on after plugging it in. I guess maybe if I upgrade the screen it's something I should check out before hand,
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My LCD has a standby button on the front and a physical switch on the side. It remembers its state when powered off but I'm sort of banking on a problem with that one day and should be able to nudge the standby button from the front by pushing against the glass. If that doesn't work, I can drill a pinhole in the plexi and poke the button with a paperclip if I ever need to do so.