Using 2 HD's to run pc, to boot

**muldrick** · 01-11-2005, 09:57 PM

Thanks, I like Scouse's key idea too. I only wouldn't want the key turned until it was shut down correctly.
Maybe I should just get another pc

**tj!2k4** · 01-11-2005, 10:48 PM

Or you could use an OS selector software such as System Commander, which will also let you password protect "your" WinXP installation so your kid can't "accidentally" boot to it..

**gospeed.racer** · 01-12-2005, 12:59 AM

I saw a unit at Frys once that had 3 or 4 buttons on the front, and each was mated to a hard drive. You choose one, and turn on the system. Cant seem to find it anywhere to show you.

Alternately, pretty much as said above...if you took 2 of the hard drive swap units, and hooked them both up as cable select....give yourself one key and your son the other. When one is "locked" it turns on, and the other is still off (and able to be undocked). It would seem to be very simple, cheap, and unless you get 2 keyed alike, foolproof.

**Scouse Monkey** · 01-12-2005, 06:08 AM

Originally Posted by muldrick

Thanks, I like Scouse's key idea too. I only wouldn't want the key turned until it was shut down correctly.
Maybe I should just get another pc

yeah i was thinking why not jsut get yourself a new Uber-computer

Or you could modify the switch circuit by adding a multipole relay controlled by the switch.

Switch in KID position - your kids drive has power.
Switch in DAD position - relay switches over to power your drive and ALSO powers itself. That way even if your turn the switch to KID position when the PC is on the relay won't flick over until the ATX PSU has shut down. Easy as pie!

Relay needs to switch Red, Yellow and itself in a parallel coil power supply (parallel in respect to the DAD/KID switch)

**old_lou** · 01-12-2005, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Scouse Monkey

yeah i was thinking why not jsut get yourself a new Uber-computer

Or you could modify the switch circuit by adding a multipole relay controlled by the switch.

Switch in KID position - your kids drive has power.
Switch in DAD position - relay switches over to power your drive and ALSO powers itself. That way even if your turn the switch to KID position when the PC is on the relay won't flick over until the ATX PSU has shut down. Easy as pie!

Relay needs to switch Red, Yellow and itself in a parallel coil power supply (parallel in respect to the DAD/KID switch)

Something like this?
leaving out the second switch makes it as Scouse recomends