XP-Mini Automatic Standby and WakeUp Help

stevemahon · 01-24-2007, 10:30 AM

I'm using an XP-Mini Dual-Intel in a 98 Chevy Suburban. I did an 8" Touchscreen and relocated the the HVAC controls into the center console, along with the Mini. My truck is setup with 2 batteries, so I run all the PC stuff off the second battery and use an isolator, so it won't kill the starting battery, and so the cranking doesn't drop the voltage to the PC. To power the Mini, I modified a Targus Auto/Air DC adapter, per intructions found somewhere on this site.

When I get in the car, I touch the screen, which wakes the computer from StandBy, which wakes the monitor. Before I exit the car, I touch the shut-down button in SD, which is set to send the system to StandBy. It works well and is not too much trouble, but I'd like it happen automatically with the Accessory ignition switch. I imagine there must be a USB device. Perhaps with a delay timer on sleep, so that it doesn't try to sleep when Acc power is interupted during engine cranking. I could make a relay/timer to handle that, I just don't know how to get the signal to the computer via USB.

Any help is much appreciated.

Steve

evandude · 01-24-2007, 10:55 AM

http://www.mp3car.com/wiki/index.php...utdown_Control

What you're looking for is called a 'shutdown controller'. They're extremely common, however nowadays it's more common for them to be integrated into DC-DC power supplies, rather than standalone devices for use with other power sources, such as your DC adapter. But, the mp3car store does carry a few standalone models. If all you need is basic functionality, you could build your own; there are designs floating around the forums that use nothing more than a few relays and some resistors and capacitors, as well as some more advanced homebrew designs if you're handy with electronics.

However, as far as implementing it all via USB, I think your options are fairly limited at present.

stevemahon · 01-24-2007, 11:11 AM

I've thought about hacking into a USB keyboard with a StandBy button, and activiating that with a timer/relay, but a keyboard is a darn big piece of hardware to hide. Even in a suburban.

sharpmat007 · 01-24-2007, 12:28 PM

Invest in a shutdown controller...they start at 40 bucks and up. You could build a circuit to connect to your serial port, but if your time is money then just buy it.

parksgm · 01-24-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by stevemahon

I've thought about hacking into a USB keyboard with a StandBy button, and activiating that with a timer/relay, but a keyboard is a darn big piece of hardware to hide. Even in a suburban.

You could hack into pretty much anything USB with a key/button (like a joystick, wireless remote, etc.), and then use a key remapping program to configure that button to trigger a shutdown/sleep keypress through software.

Joy2Mouse3 (google for it) is a good freeware/contribution-ware program that allows almost unlimited assignment of simulated keypresses/mouse movements to pretty much any USB joystick you can plug in.

Good luck.

stevemahon · 01-24-2007, 08:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by sharpmat007

Invest in a shutdown controller...they start at 40 bucks and up. You could build a circuit to connect to your serial port, but if your time is money then just buy it.

Unfortunately the Mac Mini doesn't have any serial ports. I'm using a pda serial adapter to run the xm receiver. Will one of the shutdown controllers work via a second pda adapter? Also, I'm not sure what the shut down controller does, but I do not want to cut power. I just want to send it to sleep.

sharpmat007 · 01-25-2007, 05:38 PM

You should find one that supports usb or serial and then get the appropriate pda adapter that would fit it. I thought they made one for usb?

The shutdown controller will send a signal to your computers power management when either temperature or voltage thresholds are broken. On most you can configure what the thresholds are. On the pc you tell it in power management what to do when it gets the warning(similar to setting up a battery backup(UPS)). You can configure it to go to standby, hibernate, or shutdown when it receives the warning. Wiring it to your ignition would allow you to send it to sleep when you turn off the ignition and back on when you turn it the ignition back on.

DiscoBayJoe · 01-25-2007, 11:46 PM

Why didn't you use the Carnetix Power Supply w/Mac Cable? It Y's into the factory power button. Very Clean. $150 for supply and Mac Cable. Problem Solved!

stevemahon · 01-26-2007, 10:11 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by DiscoBayJoe

Why didn't you use the Carnetix Power Supply w/Mac Cable? It Y's into the factory power button. Very Clean. $150 for supply and Mac Cable. Problem Solved!

That looks great. I didn't see that product last November when I did the intallation, and I had the Air/Plane adapter already for a Notebook computer, so the price was right. I think I will get one and give it a try.

Thanks!