remote power / laptop

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Help!!

We need to be able to power the laptop (DELL Latitude) externally, by
clicking on some switch on the outside panel.

Let me explain: The laptop is used to control the internal devices.
The goal is to somehow bring out the power switch to the outside of
the device so that the user can switch the power to the entire system,
including the notebook, with one switch.

I have searched everywhere but can't find any solid solution. I am
thinking of using the expansion port, I found the pin outs, but can't
figure out what pins will simulate the power-switch press.

HELP !!

Thanks,

Oleg

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

oleg wrote:
> Help!!
>
> We need to be able to power the laptop (DELL Latitude) externally, by
> clicking on some switch on the outside panel.
>
> Let me explain: The laptop is used to control the internal devices.
> The goal is to somehow bring out the power switch to the outside of
> the device so that the user can switch the power to the entire system,
> including the notebook, with one switch.
>
> I have searched everywhere but can't find any solid solution. I am
> thinking of using the expansion port, I found the pin outs, but can't
> figure out what pins will simulate the power-switch press.
>
> HELP !!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Oleg

I think you should look at the power button itself. On digital cameras
I can trip the shutter with a simply make-break switch soldered across
the appropriate terminals and power-on with another switch. The same
should apply to the notebook power switch. I think you will be able to
not only start the notebook, but also intiate shutdown and emergency
shutdown (holding the power button down for several seconds by external
mechanical switches across the appropriate power button terminals.
Since you don't want to sacrifice the notebook doing the research, you
might get your electronics guru involved (that's the person who has the
voltmeter).

Q