Remote switch

**Garmac** · 04-23-2006, 06:24 PM

I am looking for a remote device that would press the power button of my laptop remotely. I would just tape it on top of the button and using the remote (or even a switch...) would somehow get the device to activate and press the power button for half a second...

Not sure if that exists or if anybody has an idea about that. I do not realy want to cripple my laptop and solder a bypass to the power button and cannot get a docking station with on/off button (it's a Micron and the docking does not have on/off).

Please let me know if you know if anything that could work.

Thanks!!!

**W3bMa5t3r** · 04-25-2006, 03:19 PM

Check out my sig...

**sandworm** · 04-27-2006, 11:02 AM

I think he was looking at some sort of actuator for the laptop button so he wouldn't have to solder it. You could try looking for some sort of electromagnetic pushing thingie <insert technical term here> to depress the button when power goes through the remote.

**W3bMa5t3r** · 04-27-2006, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by sandworm

I think he was looking at some sort of actuator for the laptop button so he wouldn't have to solder it. You could try looking for some sort of electromagnetic pushing thingie <insert technical term here> to depress the button when power goes through the remote.

Ah, my bad... I was reading real quick before hitting the sack last night... well you could use the same circuit, but the two leads that I use that are soldered to the power switch, could go to another relay that powers an actuator/solenoid 'thingy'... that's taped to the power switch...

**ilyassx** · 04-27-2006, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Garmac

I am looking for a remote device that would press the power button of my laptop remotely. I would just tape it on top of the button and using the remote (or even a switch...) would somehow get the device to activate and press the power button for half a second...

Not sure if that exists or if anybody has an idea about that. I do not realy want to cripple my laptop and solder a bypass to the power button and cannot get a docking station with on/off button (it's a Micron and the docking does not have on/off).

Please let me know if you know if anything that could work.

Thanks!!!

You can find it in the old VHS players or Cassette tape decks, that used for moving the pinions in the mechanism.

Good luck.

**Thekingpin23** · 04-27-2006, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by ilyassx

You can find it in the old VHS players or Cassette tape decks, that used for moving the pinions in the mechanism.

Good luck.

good thinking, there are tons of self regulating gear and servos in VHS players. Check your local thrift or pwand shop.

**WarDriver** · 04-27-2006, 10:37 PM

I know you are asking for some type of servo device...but I think there are easier ways...

I set up a laptop by soldering small wires to the switch and then running them to an audio jack that I added to the case. Then I wired a push button to the male end of the jack. By doing it this way...it makes it so I can use the laptop outside of the car...which was the whole intent of a laptop in the first place.

Depending on what laptop you have, you may be able to purchase just the switch unit iself. I know many Dells use seperate boards for their power on switches.

I'll have a write up comming on my cheap build. Here are some pics of the laptop mod.

EDIT: Oh, and the main switch still works as does the button when it is plugged in. (Yes, it will get changed to something better once installed)

**fooshizn1x** · 04-27-2006, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Garmac

I am looking for a remote device that would press the power button of my laptop remotely. I would just tape it on top of the button and using the remote (or even a switch...) would somehow get the device to activate and press the power button for half a second...

Not sure if that exists or if anybody has an idea about that. I do not realy want to cripple my laptop and solder a bypass to the power button and cannot get a docking station with on/off button (it's a Micron and the docking does not have on/off).

Please let me know if you know if anything that could work.

Thanks!!!

soldering 2 wires onto reasonably sized solder pads (where your current button is soldered to) wont "cripple" your laptop in any way. Your not removing anything or destroying anything. you could even run the wires out a vent hole so there are no additional holes drilled or anything. considering your sig says "screen removed" that pretty much cripples the laptop for "laptop" use anyhow.. so whatcha worried about?!

If your worried about soldering the two wires just ask around at your local REAL electronics shop (Radio shack is not even a half assed electronics shop anymore!) and I'm sure somebody would be willing to solder it for you. Heck if you live near me I'll do it for a large heineken

**RawsonDR** · 04-28-2006, 11:55 AM

Does your laptop have a phone jack? I believe there is a thread on here about using the "Wake on Modem" feature to add a switch to your laptop which plugs into the phone jack. Try searching for it.

**Sidewalksalvage** · 04-28-2006, 12:06 PM

The above are all great ideas. I really like the one where a switch port is created (via a headphone jack). You could use the mechanical switch with a 12V solenoid but it would be a hassle to set up on the laptop itself. I dont know of any manufactured component that is designed specifically for that. Since, assuming from your sig, you are not going to be using this for your everyday laptop, just solder right into the switch. If you are nervous about soldering, check out the forums for tips and start with something easy as a test and once you have more confidence, then tackle the switch.