How to remote on my laptop?

FireAnt · 05-02-2004, 11:57 PM

I've read many threads on this but still could use some help.

I have a Toshiba Satellite A15-S129, 2.4 GHz ,Windows XP Home ,512MB, 40GB HD, DVD-ROM/CDRW, Graphics Intel 852GM

I tried to take it apart to connect wires from the switch to an external momentary switch. I could not get the case apart. I removed all the screws I could see and the hard drive, battery, all bottom covers and there seemed to be some connection in the middle still holding it. Any Ideas.

Also, I could see the switch and it has four prongs on it. I only expected 2.

Any one know of and external device that could be made to physically push the button on the computer when a current is applied? Maybe something thin that could be sandwiched between the closed screen and the button.

Thanks,
Miike

CarPC Plans:
Toshiba Notebook
Lillyput or Starvision with touch
Aux in on car H/K head unit
Earthmate GPS
2003 MINI Cooper S

gospeed.racer · 05-03-2004, 12:01 AM

A lot of laptops have more screws under the keyboard. If you can remove it, there are probably some holding the cases together. On my personal Toshiba at work, you take off a small bezel abouve the keyboard and the unit will pull up and out of the wat, exposing the extra screws and modem module, ect.

The switch may be a double pole, but it likely only uses one set.

Dr Jeckyl · 05-03-2004, 03:01 AM

Check your BIOS settings. Can you set your laptop to power on after a power failure (not nearly as common in laptops, but it does happen)? If so, then it would probably be easier to run a push on/push off switch in the power wire. Then when you get in and push the button, the laptop powers up. When you leave, it could let the battery drain until the laptop forces itself into hibernate

FireAnt · 05-03-2004, 09:01 AM

My computer has nothing in BIOS to allow it to turn on when power is applied. It does have battery management software that allows it to turn off after switching to battery power at 1 min, 5 minutes or more. I plan to use this to shut it down.

Also, it will not wake from hibernate or sleep by any other means than the power switch.

I sure wish a device existed to manually push the button. May end up with a balloon in there connected to thin fuel line with a squeeze bulb on the other end. (Air switch) Real low tech. A camera remote?
maybe something like this modified - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...813716686&rd=1

an electronic version would be better. Then anyone that didn't want to tear in to their notebook could use such a device.

Mike

bankingdom · 05-03-2004, 06:16 PM

My dell laptop also has 4 prongs in the on switch. I tried to do the monitary switch thing as well, but it never worked. I think the reason for the 4 prongs has something to do with it not being just a on/off switch. When you hold the power switch on for like 5 secs it goes into hibernate, when you hold it for longer, it shuts down, when you just press it for 1 sec it goes into standby, so I am assuming it's not just a 2 prong, on/off. I don't know jack about that stuff, so maybe i'm wrong.

I do it the simple way, lean over and press the switch to turn it on, then do the power mangment thing to let it go into standby when it runs off battery, and then just touch the screen or press my wireless mouse button to get it out of standby. So i only have to lean over and press the button, once in a while.

If you figure some other way, let us all know. This has been an ongoing problem for laptop users.

kiltjim · 05-03-2004, 07:41 PM

If I'm reading this correctly you can see the switch, and the four prongs that its connected too?

If you can see the four prongs, get your multimeter out, and find out which prongs are clsed when you press the switch. If you can't get at it, try harder! When they built the thing they had to solder to it. So, give time, and enough prying, and banging, you should be able to get to the switch pad. Just go at it with a screwdriver until you have them exposed. I've soldered to the switches, and its working great.

Good luck!

bankingdom · 05-03-2004, 08:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by kiltjim

If I'm reading this correctly you can see the switch, and the four prongs that its connected too?

If you can see the four prongs, get your multimeter out, and find out which prongs are clsed when you press the switch. If you can't get at it, try harder! When they built the thing they had to solder to it. So, give time, and enough prying, and banging, you should be able to get to the switch pad. Just go at it with a screwdriver until you have them exposed. I've soldered to the switches, and its working great.

Good luck!

Awsome that you soldered the switches and have it working! You have a dell right.... Did you by chance take pics of which two prongs you used??? And what type of switch did you use? Monitary on/off?? Thanks buddy!

FireAnt · 05-03-2004, 09:13 PM

Tried again tonight and took my notebook apart from the front and back. I got much closer to the switch because I got the case to seperate. But I didn't get to the back of the board where the solder is. It almost looked like five prongs on the switch and the front switch case is metal so no way I could get to the prongs from that side with out shorting something out. I think I will give up on this approach as I really like my notebook (waited all night in the Best Buy after Thanksgiving sale line to get it) and can't afford to screw it up!

Now exploring shutter releases for cameras to trigger the switch from the top side.

Thanks for everyones help!

One more question. I made a cord to plug my notebook into the 12v acccessory plug on my car(actually puts out 14.1V when running). It works and shows it is charging the battery too. This notebook is suposed to take 15V. Will it really charge it's 15V battery or will it drag down my notebooks battery to 14V and cause any damage?

Thanks
Mike