[NTLUG:Discuss] Disabling ATX softpower switches?

[Bug Hunter]

     Some ATX bioses have a "resume power" feature where they resume their
last power status after power is re-applied.

     If you have a network card with the "wake on lan" feature, and
install the jumper from the card to the motherboard, and turn "wake on
lan" on in the bios, it will, in theory, power up after a power down due
to power outages once a packet (such as a ping) is sent to it.

     Another thing I have thought of is the fact that the power on
switches are momentary contact switches.  Get a good hardware guy to wire
up a 555 circuit controlling a relay that operates the relay for 1/4
second about 5 seconds after main power comes back.  Then wire the relay
contacts in parallel with the "power" switch.   Instant "human" on switch.

    If I had about 100 orders for such a thing, I would build it.  The
cost would be about $50 each.  You could breadboard one (if you have the
skills) for somewhat less.




On Sun, 22 Oct 2000, Michael Hart wrote:

> I'm working on a design for a linux cluster, and need help with a
> hardware design problem.
> 
> I need a scheme to keep the boxes on, even after power failures (even
> those failures greater than an hour.) The ATX boards I've seen don't
> have an option to keep the computer booted anytime they are plugged in,
> which results in a person having the physically switch on the box, or
> wait for an alarm, or other trigger.  I've been planning to use AT
> motherboards to work around this problem, but I haven't found an AT
> board that supports high end processors (Athlon/200mhz FSB.)
> 
> Solutions in order of preference:
> 1. Does anyone know of a AT board that supports a 200mhz FSB?
> 2. Has anyone already dealt with this problem and know of a ATX board
> that supports 'always on' or a way to short the switch so its always on?
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Michael Hart
> 
>