turning on a laptop system board without using keyboard.

[notsounique]

Hi guys,

I'm doing some research on my next project, which involves taking apart a laptop and moving the systemboard into a small enclosure (no room for keyboard). I have most of the it planned out, everything except routing the power signal to an external switch. Do you guys have any ideas?

My initial solution was to test the connector, identify the on/off signal, and configure a switch that sends the exact signal. I'm hoping there is an easier solution. Any comments would be appreciated.

Signed,
NotSoUnique

[Ben Cebhrem]

Do you want a keyboard or no?

Does the laptop BIOS have an option to boot and ignore any keyboard error?

[notsounique]

Do you want a keyboard or no?

Does the laptop BIOS have an option to boot and ignore any keyboard error?

I'm planning on using an external keyboard (USB).

[nitro2k01]

My initial solution was to test the connector, identify the on/off signal, and configure a switch that sends the exact signal. I'm hoping there is an easier solution. Any comments would be appreciated.

You'll find that for most laptops the power button is just a normal switch, rather than something than being another PS2 button. The reason for this is that it's easier for the laptop manufacturers to do it this way. In other words, you'll probably just have to break out two wires from the mobo.

[notsounique]

My initial solution was to test the connector, identify the on/off signal, and configure a switch that sends the exact signal. I'm hoping there is an easier solution. Any comments would be appreciated.

You'll find that for most laptops the power button is just a normal switch, rather than something than being another PS2 button. The reason for this is that it's easier for the laptop manufacturers to do it this way. In other words, you'll probably just have to break out two wires from the mobo.

hmmm..., interesting. From inspection the only power button is located on the detachable keyboard. I'll definitely have to examine the board in more detail. Thanks.