Need assistance regarding the carputer on/off switch

**newuser356** · 03-01-2010, 10:00 AM

Dear Forum,

I did a lot of research before purchasing my car pc (which ended up being an asrock 330 ht) but i have forgotten 1 MAJOR thing unfortunately

the on/off switch. So here is my story :

I have the asrock 330 ht and liliput hdmi touch-screen and all works well and fine at my home i set it up and everything . The problem begins in the car ... the unit is hidden in my trunk and i wown't be able to access the on/off switch (kinda stupid of me

) how can i get round this ... i tried to see if there was anything in the bios about powering it up via a usb device (like a keyboard) but it doesn't have anything there ... can anyone offer any suggestions (willing to attach wires / solder if required) preferably though i wown't modd the inside of the system

Thanks in advance,
newuser356

**justchat_1** · 03-01-2010, 10:36 AM

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/advfaq.php

**newuser356** · 03-01-2010, 01:33 PM

Haven't found anything how to mod or attach a switch to the asrock in that link thanks for the reply though

maybe i wasn't clear (have that habit) but my actual problem is not power supply or anything just a means to literally switch it on (not connected to ignition pref) remotely

**Curiosity** · 03-01-2010, 03:15 PM

You need to give more details, like what DC-DC or (cringe) AC/inverter? Why do you not want to turn it on via IGN? And do you have jumper cables handy?

**newuser356** · 03-01-2010, 04:34 PM

hehe ok so to answer those questions :

since the asrock uses 65W I am using a simple cigar lighter converter rated at 150W and using the normal mains plug to power it

I didn't wish to turn it on with ignition because I'm kinda afraid to drain my battery because ...

no i don't have jumper cables handy ;P

**Curiosity** · 03-01-2010, 07:12 PM

Well, see that's the point. Switching it on when the engine is running also means switching it off when the engine is not running, and therefore no dead battery.

**newuser356** · 03-02-2010, 01:59 AM

i see (i'm quite new to the installation part usually work on getting the hardware and installing the software etc) so how can i actually connect it to start/switch off with the engine ... my problem was that usually if i make a custom case with an atx mobo u jst need to short the leads there i mean connect a wired directly to the pins here there isnt a power pin as it is prefitted so i can't get out my soldering kit and stick on a pair of wires (especially since the switch is made of aluminium) ps. maybe some more info that will help the PSE of the mini itx in the asrock is on the board its self

Thanks in advnace for the replies,
newuser356

(and sry for the newbie questions)

**Curiosity** · 03-02-2010, 06:20 AM

Oh, ok. I see. The power button has 4 pins. On the back side of the mini ITX board there will be 4 pads with 2 of each connected together. You'll have to solder the wires to those. Make sure they don't touch any other pad, and put a dab of hot glue or silicone glue on the whole thing for support and insulation.

Just looked and the power supply is an AC adapter. 12V I think. That's going to be your biggest hassle and will drain the battery unless you uplug it when not in use. Dump that and get a DC-DC USB or DSX12VD. Either of those can turn the PC on and off with the IGN input.

**newuser356** · 03-02-2010, 06:43 AM

sounds good but how can i bypass the in built powersupply on the mini itx board ? just unplug the power to the mobo ? ... bah i am starting to think it would have been better to just buy a mobo instead of a barebone system

**soundman98** · 03-02-2010, 08:30 AM

those power supplies are to power the on-board power supply, but will automatically turn off power once the car is turned off, and the pc has shut down--so you will no longer need to babysit the entire process like you would with a manual power button, and a always on power supply.