Modifying power button questions

Question

I'm building an arcade cabinet using my old Dimension 8100.   I'd really like to be able to power on and off the computer with one button push, most preferably on the outside of the arcade cabinet.  Many people have accomplished this by removing the power button from the front of the computer and rewiring it to an arcade pushbutton with a microswitch, which then acts as the power button.  This allows the arcade pushbutton to be mounted somewhere else on the arcade cabinet.   I opened my 8100 case, and instead of a single set of wires running to the power button, there is a 16 pin ribbon cable that runs to a controller card, which then contains switches for the power button, reset button and LEDs.  Since the computer will be in the cabinet, I dont think I need any of these other than the power button.  I've searched for the pinout for the controller card, with no luck.  Does anyone know which pins on the motherboard are used for the power switch so I can wire this thing up and play some Donkey Kong?   Thanks

fireberd · Answer

The Dell front panel power switch connection is proprietary and not documented.  I've seen some pin outs, however there are several different Dell configurations.  You are basically on your own to figure out which pins are the power.

WLVRYN · Answer

That's what I thought after doing some research.  Before I start trying and erroring, is there any chance that I screw up my mobo by doing this?  I'd rather not fry the thing.

WLVRYN · Answer

I have a SmartStrip from Bits Ltd.  Its a pretty cool product.  You plug your computer into the main outlet, which controls power to the rest of the outlets on the strip.  It senses when the computer is drawing power, and then powers the other outlets.  When the computer shuts down, it shuts off the other outlets, turning everything off.   So I can power down from Windows and everything else will shut off.  When I hit the arcade button, the computer fires up and the SmartStrip turns everything else on.  I havent messed around with it yet, but I had also read someplace that there's a way to power down your computer through Windows by hitting the power button when the computer is on.  That is on the schedule for later today to figure out.

RoHe · Answer

How will you shut down Windows before powering off the PC? If you just hit the power button without exiting Windows properly, sooner or later you'll have Windows file problems.

If you plan to shut down the system normally (eg, Start>Turn Off Computer...), then you can do what you want fairly easily. Set up your external switch to control power to the PC and monitor, as in using a power strip or surge protector with a switch. Then run BIOS Setup and set power option to "reboot after power failure". When you turn off the power strip, the PC thinks that's a power failure and will reboot normally when you turn the strip back on.

That's how I set up my 8400. I shut Windows down normally at night and then flip the the surge protector switch off. In the morning, I flip the surge protector switch on again and the PC boots.

Ron

x_lab rat · Answer

Recent Dimensions interpret power-button presses as a Windows shutdown command.  But 8100 does not (that I know of--and if yours doesn't already, it won't).  So a remote power button will not work for shutdown, you'd still have to click Windows.  Then the power strip would shut down the rest.   There is a provision in Dell BIOS for 'power-on after interruption'.  I don't know exactly when that was added, you'll have to look under F2 to see if yours supports it.  That allows you to turn the system on with a master power switch, but does not provide for shutdown and wouldn't work with a 'sensing' power strip.   Those obstacles notwithstanding, if you still want to remote the 8100 power button, read across it with a multimeter.  The remote switch will short between the switch pins on which you find 5V and ground.

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Modifying power button questions

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