Windows Service that raises DTR on powerup

Da_Teach · 12-31-2003, 08:11 PM

I've written a small Windows Service that raises DTR on the com port of choice when the service is started... It will lower DTR when the computer goes into standby (probaby hibernate too, havent tested that) and it'll lower DTR when the service is stopped (which is also when your computer is shutdown, but before power is cut)...

Its written in Visual Basic.NET 2003, so it needs the .NET framework (v1.1) which can be downloaded via Windows Update...

You can download the service here:
http://www.wordtgek.nl/AmpCtrl_1.0.zip

To install the service you have to use InstallUtil which is present in the framework directory of .NET....

When your in the directory where you placed AmpCtrl, type the following:
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\Insta llUtil.exe AmpCtrl.exe

(to uninstall : C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\Insta llUtil.exe -uninstall AmpCtrl.exe )

Modify the ampctrl.exe.config file and change the port number...

After that, the service should run next bootup...

The util is given as-is, dont blame me if something goes wrong... But it works like a charm for me

(directly wired the DTR to my Amp)

frodobaggins · 12-31-2003, 08:17 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Da_Teach

I've written a small Windows Service that raises DTR on the com port of choice when the service is started... It will lower DTR when the computer goes into standby (probaby hibernate too, havent tested that) and it'll lower DTR when the service is stopped (which is also when your computer is shutdown, but before power is cut)...

Its written in Visual Basic.NET 2003, so it needs the .NET framework (v1.1) which can be downloaded via Windows Update...

You can download the service here:
http://www.wordtgek.nl/AmpCtrl_1.0.zip

To install the service you have to use InstallUtil which is present in the framework directory of .NET....

When your in the directory where you placed AmpCtrl, type the following:
C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\Insta llUtil.exe AmpCtrl.exe

(to uninstall : C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\Insta llUtil.exe -uninstall AmpCtrl.exe )

Modify the ampctrl.exe.config file and change the port number...

After that, the service should run next bootup...

The util is given as-is, dont blame me if something goes wrong... But it works like a charm for me

(directly wired the DTR to my Amp)

Interesting use.

Da_Teach · 12-31-2003, 08:32 PM

I saw people mention the 'DTR method' a few times when searching on how to eliminate the speaker thump... (when starting the car / carpc)

Seeing I'm a total 'hardware nono', this was still in my ability of things to do... Start timer would have worked too, but I have no clue on how to make those

nottastocker · 01-02-2004, 04:17 PM

i may seem stupid, but what exactly does it do?

burnout.no · 01-08-2004, 03:17 AM

Thanks, Da_Teach!

Excelent piece of work!

Works like a charm..
Thanks again!

Custommx3 · 01-08-2004, 08:59 AM

And what exactly is it for?
what is DTR?

burnout.no · 01-08-2004, 09:54 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Custommx3

And what exactly is it for?
what is DTR?

Atleast in my case, i use it for powering on the amplifier AFTER windows is ready.. It also turns my amplifier off before windows shuts down completely.. This way, i can avoid the start-up beep from my speakers.. Oh yeah, I also avoid the "bump"-sound from my speakers at shutdown..

It can ofcourse be used for something else than an amplifier.. DTR is the name of serial port pin no. 4 (Data Terminal Ready) .. You should find schematics on the web, if not - get back to me and i'll post one..

Good Luck!

GingerPrince · 01-08-2004, 10:08 AM

You could also use it to power a relay to turn your neons on/off

MikeH · 01-08-2004, 10:41 AM

Another interesting use would be to signal an intelligent power supply that it is now OK to shut down power. My ITPS will shut down power in the middle of bootup if I turn on the engine, then back off within the boot period (approx 60 sec). This happens when I move my car from outside to the garage....very short trip.

burnout.no · 01-09-2004, 04:08 AM

But what about turning the monitor on? I'm not talking about feeding it 12V, but "pressing" the power button..

That would be cool!

awh4992 · 01-09-2004, 07:47 AM

[quote=GingerPrince]You could also use it to power a relay to turn your neons on/off

[/QUOTE

that would hafta be a pretty small relay as the serial port DTR and RTS lines only supply ~10mA, which is barely enough to power a chip or 2, let alone an electromagnet in the relay. a better way would be to just use a transistor that can switch the amount of current ur neons use. the transistor only sucks nano to microamps through its base, so it's suited better for driving loads as opposed to sucking current from an output on the serial port chip. you would be using an npn transistor since the DTR pin is negative until the OS tells the serial chip to bring it to about +8 or +9v. a relatively simple circuit to build, providing you can get your hands on a transistor that won't blow up when u have ur neons connected directly to it.

numberone · 01-09-2004, 05:11 PM

Quote:

You should find schematics on the web, if not - get back to me and i'll post one..

How do you connect your amp to the serial port?
My amp needs 12v to the remote input. Can I get this from the port?

crosseye · 01-09-2004, 07:47 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by awh4992

that would hafta be a pretty small relay as the serial port DTR and RTS lines only supply ~10mA, which is barely enough to power a chip or 2, let alone an electromagnet in the relay.

You can buffer the DTS line (or place two inverters back to back). The output of your buffer should then have enough current to power the relay.

Twizted · 01-09-2004, 08:12 PM

Easy thing to do would prolly be use a general purpose transistor MPS2222 (prolly need something larger that can handel around an amp or two) for example to connect the 12v to a 12V Relay to turn on the neons... I would say you would need to so the same for the amplifier remote switch... I will have to look into this myself as I will need it.. If anyone can elaborate on my idea or share there design or idea please do

Here is a link to the
.NET Framework 1.1 Redistributable Package that Microsoft offers...

Da_Teach · 01-11-2004, 07:06 AM

After a bit of testing, I found out that directly wiring the DTR to the AMP works, but sometimes fails... So I'll have to put 'something' between the AMP and the serial port... So give easy idea's