THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2011 Remote Power Switch For A Computer, Part 1 My friends know that I am an incredibly lazy person. So lazy that one of my irritations is that the HTPC (Home Theater PC) in the bedroom requires that I actually get up out of bed to turn it on. This is fine if I remember to switch it on before getting into bed, but most of the time I only remember after I have swaddled myself in blankets. The solution of course is to have a way to use a remote control of some sort to turn on the PC. The first option is to not shut down the PC at all, but leave it in “sleep” mode. This is probably the most sensible option and I believe that I could set it up so a key press from my beloved IOGear wireless keyboard would accomplish it. But I don’t like sleep mode. I like computers to either be on or off. I’m cranky and old fashioned. So how then to power on a PC remotely? There are again a couple of options. I could use Wake Over LAN to start it with the laptop I keep on the bedside table (roll your eyes). I could use a PS2 keyboard or mouse to power it on remotely, which would entail some wires strewn across the floor. I tried to get the USB wireless keyboard to power it on but was unsuccessful. Possibly I should have tried harder, but I wanted to try something different. So my option is an IR remote controlled power switch. The nice folks at Simerec will sell you a kit or assembled IR remote power switch for the PC for about $30.00. This is probably the best option so you should just stop reading this post now and head on over there and order one. You’re still here? Fine, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I did not buy the Simerec switch because I’m somewhat cheap (although in the end this project has cost 10 times that amount as it has spurred on new-hobby- buying-syndrome). I also was fresh from the high of Henry and my Awesome Button project and thought that a Teensy would fit the bill. The Teensy can use Ken Shirriff’s IR remote library to receive and transmit IR remote control signals. So all I needed was to get an IR receiver and remote, figure out how to wire it up to receive input, Contributors Felice Luftschein Nick Carter Etsy nicholasandfelice Blog Archive ► 2013 (19) ► 2012 (24) ▼ 2011 (33) ► December (1) ► November (2) ► October (2) ► September (4) ► August (2) ▼ July (9) Remote Power Switch For A Computer, Part 2 Remote Power Switch For A Computer, Part 1 0 Mais Blogue seguinte» Criar blogue Iniciar sessão The Mechanical Philosopher The musings of a dilettante on parenting, mechanics, philosophy and the background noise that is daily life. From beautiful ruralburbian Philomath, Oregon. Page 1 of 11 The Mechanical Philosopher: Remote Power Switch For A Computer, Part 1 19-08-2013 http://mechanicalphilosopher.blogspot.pt/2011/07/remote-power-switch-for-computer...
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
T H U R S D A Y , J U L Y 2 8 , 2 0 1 1
Remote Power Switch For A Computer, Part 1
My friends know that I am an incredibly lazy person. So lazy that one
of my irritations is that the HTPC (Home Theater PC) in the bedroom
requires that I actually get up out of bed to turn it on. This is fine if I
remember to switch it on before getting into bed, but most of the
time I only remember after I have swaddled myself in blankets.
The solution of course is to have a way to use a remote control of
some sort to turn on the PC. The first option is to not shut down the
PC at all, but leave it in “sleep” mode. This is probably the most
sensible option and I believe that I could set it up so a key press from
my beloved IOGear wireless keyboard would accomplish it. But I don’t
like sleep mode. I like computers to either be on or off. I’m cranky
and old fashioned.
So how then to power on a PC remotely? There are again a couple of
options. I could use Wake Over LAN to start it with the laptop I keep
on the bedside table (roll your eyes). I could use a PS2 keyboard or
mouse to power it on remotely, which would entail some wires strewn
across the floor. I tried to get the USB wireless keyboard to power it
on but was unsuccessful. Possibly I should have tried harder, but I
wanted to try something different.
So my option is an IR remote controlled power switch. The nice folks
at Simerec will sell you a kit or assembled IR remote power switch for
the PC for about $30.00. This is probably the best option so you should
just stop reading this post now and head on over there and order one.
You’re still here? Fine, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I did not buy the
Simerec switch because I’m somewhat cheap (although in the end this
project has cost 10 times that amount as it has spurred on new-hobby-
buying-syndrome). I also was fresh from the high of Henry and my
Awesome Button project and thought that a Teensy would fit the bill.
The Teensy can use Ken Shirriff’s IR remote library to receive and
transmit IR remote control signals. So all I needed was to get an IR
receiver and remote, figure out how to wire it up to receive input,
Contributors
Felice Luftschein
Nick Carter
Etsynicholasandfelice
Blog Archive
► 2013 (19)
► 2012 (24)
▼ 2011 (33)
► December (1)
► November (2)
► October (2)
► September (4)
► August (2)
▼ July (9)
Remote Power Switch For A
Computer, Part 2
Remote Power Switch For A
Computer, Part 1
0 Mais Blogue seguinte» Criar blogue Iniciar sessão
The Mechanical Philosopher The musings of a dilettante on parenting, mechanics, philosophy and the background noise that is daily life. From beautiful ruralburbian Philomath, Oregon.
Page 1 of 11The Mechanical Philosopher: Remote Power Switch For A Computer, Part 1