My solution to powering up and down my laptop was thru using 555 timer IC's...
Only problem for you tho is that I opened my laptop up and soldered extra wires to
the power switch and ran them outside to let it be controlled by the circuitry.
I removed my screen and this is a permanent install, so I didn't care.. but I've seen
someone else on the forum do the same mod but put a nice r/c connector on the side
so he could continue to use the laptop outside the car cleanly and just plug the
switch in when in car.
I provide constant power to my circuit and when it see's a high signal (ignition on) it
waits 6 seconds (car starting & laptop beginning its charging state) then "presses" the
power button for 1 second. When the signal goes low, ignition off,
the circuit waits again for 10 seconds in case I want to turn key back on or so... if not
the button is "pressed" for 1 second to put Win XP in its shutdown mode.
In the power schemes in XP you can choose to make your power button do whatever..
hibernate, standby, shutdown... so I can make it work however I want.
Feel free to goto my site in my signature to see my mess of circuitry..
(I went thru so many rev's and bandages until I got it right
)
Long post.. hope the info gives you some ideas!
