Laptop Power On I've Searched Help Please - Page 2

djScript · 02-24-2005, 03:14 PM

What I did was connect a 4-pin mini connector (like a floppy drive molex) to the power and standby switches. I wrapped it in heat shrink tubing and it looks like a dongle/pigtail hanging from the back of the laptop.

I kinda like the modem idea too.

Thefdog · 02-23-2007, 10:02 PM

Hey,

I was lucky and able to use a docking station that comes with a power switch. I wired an external momentary switch in parallel to the two leads that had continuity across the multimeter when the power button on the dock was pressed. Note, there were five leads coming to the power button.

You can also wire a remote switch in parallel to the power button on you laptop. This will require opening the case and connecting a wire to the correct leads on your power switch inside the laptop. This wire is connected to a female power connector which is affixed into the hole you will have to drill in the side of your case. You can then install a remote switch with a lead that ends in a matching male connector. This switch can easily be mounted in the dash.

Like noted before, you can use a USB device or a RJ-45 jack (modem) to wake your computer if it supports it (check in the BIOS to see if there is a setting under the power section for wake-on-modem or USB. You can also use the ethernet port and Cat 5 cable to switch on your laptop (wake-on-lan) if you lappie supports it. Some have even come up with mechanical devices that are manually or electrically powered to press the proper button

The only problem with USB, Modem, or Ethernet switches is that these cannot be used to turn the laptop off. Why would you need that feature, you ask? Well, if like most computers, you ever have the unit freeze up due to configuration problems, you can hold the momentary switch down for 5-seconds or so and force a power off. You cannot do this without a direct connection to a power switch.

I have my laptop set to turn on with a press of the switch. If the laptop is already on, it will bring up the shutdown dialog. If the button is held down, the computer goes into a hard shutoff. While this is not preferred and a regular experience, it has come in handy.

Keep trying and see what works...

Ozzman · 02-28-2007, 07:59 PM

i was actually thinking of a more mechanical idea.

a SOLENOID wired to a momentary switch, it can then just press the button for you remotely. however hijacking a random pin or installing cutting and installing a serial cable is also not a bad idea. plugs right in, i can hijack the plugs and put them into a remote switch. not a bad idea at all i say.