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Newbie Ques - Power Problem

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SirPeale:

--- Quote from: Scoobie on June 10, 2004, 09:50:58 am ---Unfortunately for me, that thread describes more relays and more wiring than I thought was necessary.  Do I actually need a relay?  Can't I simply take a momentary or toggle switch and cut the wires to my computer's main power button?  Then connect each of the 2 wires to the momentary/toggle switch?  
--- End quote ---

Read the end of the thread.  The solution is as simple as a 16v 10uf capacitor.

wj2k3:
Scoobie-

Yes.  Just cut the wires and install a momentary switch to turn on your computer.  Then use a smart strip or a Craftsman auto switch, found at:  
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00924031000

Plug your computer into the special switched socket and everything else into the other sockets.  I used the Sears auto switch and then used another power strip plugged into that so that I would have enough plugs.  The power strip has more room on it but I didn't want to order it and wait so I went down to the local sears.

With this configuration, when you hit your momentary switch (I replaced the old toggle that came on my cabinet with a momentary toggle) the computer will turn on and the auto strip will turn on everything else (monitor, speakers, marquee, etc...)

This, I feel, is much simpler than a 16v 10uf thingy majig and relays.  (No offense Peale - I am just not an electronics wizard)

-wj2k3

rsoandrew:
Just to make sure that things are clear and to summarize what everybody is trying to tell you.

1) You need a momentary contact switch for the powerbutton (arcade button works fine).

2) You need to use Advanced Configuration and Power Management Interface (ACPI) and/or APM to shut down the computer with one button. In newer bios and windows 2000/xp, this is enabled by default. If your bios didn't support it but you've since reflashed, you need to let windows know that ACPM is now available. Startup shouldn't be a problem.MS site on ACPI

3) If you're using a non-generic motherboard, there may be some electronics where the switch is mounted that your motherboard needs to remain powered up. Pull the front of the case and look at the switch wiring. You may have to solder a couple of wires to where the power button attaches to the PCB. If it's surface mounted (and you're not a soldering pro) you may be better off detroying the switch and soldering to the guts of the switch instead of the pcb.

4) Use the smart strip. When you power on your computer, everything else will be powered up. The other thread was more complicated because Peale wanted to use a specific arcade wiring diagram. For what you want, the smart strip would be fine.

I'm guessing that your problem probably has to do more with #3 than anything else.

SirPeale:

--- Quote from: wj2k3 on June 10, 2004, 10:19:46 am ---This, I feel, is much simpler than a 16v 10uf thingy majig and relays.  (No offense Peale - I am just not an electronics wizard)
--- End quote ---

No relays are necessary.  Just the cap.  Just one of them.  Just hook it on and go.  You have to make sure to put it on the right way (that's what a multimeter is for) but that's it.

rsoandrew:

--- Quote from: Peale on June 10, 2004, 10:28:06 am ---
--- Quote from: wj2k3 on June 10, 2004, 10:19:46 am ---This, I feel, is much simpler than a 16v 10uf thingy majig and relays.  (No offense Peale - I am just not an electronics wizard)
--- End quote ---

No relays are necessary.  Just the cap.  Just one of them.  Just hook it on and go.  You have to make sure to put it on the right way (that's what a multimeter is for) but that's it.

--- End quote ---

Peale - Don't forget that he's running XP. The startup would go fine but the OS wouldn't last long after he shut it down a few times unless he first shut it down in windows and then hit a master power switch like your plans (I realize you're not using Win XP).

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