Turning on pc with key

[begadelavela]

Hi guys, 

I have an idea of turning on a pc with key. I would replace power button with switch, but I don't know electronics of PC so much and I would like to know what key switch do I need and the size shouldnt be more than 2 cm or 3 I think. I would like to turnit on with just spining key and key comes back to start position. I would like to be able to pull out tke key from switch while pc is on. Help me pls and if you know give me ebay parts list.

Thanks!

[Archemis.]

yeah this was implemented on really old ibm computers back in the 90s maybe do some research on them and try finding a case with the key ignition?

failing that get a car ignition and try to wire that into your case!
good luck

 

[begadelavela]

1 minute ago, Archemis. said:

yeah this was implemented on really old ibm computers back in the 90s maybe do some research on them and try finding a case with the key ignition?

failing that get a car ignition and try to wire that into your case!
good luck

 

Thanks man, I am excited about my project.

[Limecat86]

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2322090.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X2-wire+Ignition+Key.TRS0&_nkw=2-wire+Ignition+Key&_sacat=0

You can use about any 2 wire key switch.

 

Don't know if these will turn the key back to their start position so you might have to do that manually.

Breaking the contact won't turn off the PC and you can pull out the key.

[begadelavela]

1 minute ago, Limecat86 said:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2322090.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X2-wire+Ignition+Key.TRS0&_nkw=2-wire+Ignition+Key&_sacat=0

You can use about any 2 wire key switch.

 

Don't know if these will turn the key back to their start position so you might have to do that manually.

Breaking the contact won't turn off the PC and you can pull out the key.

Helpful thanks man

[MadsMøller]

19 minutes ago, begadelavela said:

Thanks man, I am excited about my project.

A quick Google for "key switch" will give you many opportunities.

Ebay provides lots of cheap ones:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Key-Rotation-Switch-Security-Lock-Heavy-Duty-Keyed-Power-Ignition-LAY7-11Y-2-New/381746825297?hash=item58e1e24851:g:KH4AAOxyyq5TMpLc

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5Pcs-Electronic-Key-Switch-ON-OFF-Lock-Switch-KS-02-With-Keys/272478977879?hash=item3f71033f57:g:~dcAAOSw5cNYR8fI

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Security-Power-Locks-Phone-Lock-ON-OFF-Key-Switch-with-2-Keys/301854093029?hash=item4647e7eee5:g:o5wAAOSwa-dWobOI

 

And many more

[unknownmiscreant]

The old PC we had that did that had a lock out key that disabled the power button, not acted as one. 

 

In order for the key to act as one you will need it to be momentary, as otherwise you will either have to turn it immediately back or it will have the effect of holding the power button down.

 

Not many I have seen are momentary.

[MadsMøller]

13 minutes ago, unknownmiscreant said:

The old PC we had that did that had a lock out key that disabled the power button, not acted as one. 

 

In order for the key to act as one you will need it to be momentary, as otherwise you will either have to turn it immediately back or it will have the effect of holding the power button down.

 

Not many I have seen are momentary.

He could probably make a circuit that would change it into a momentary switch.

[MadsMøller]

15 minutes ago, unknownmiscreant said:

The old PC we had that did that had a lock out key that disabled the power button, not acted as one. 

 

In order for the key to act as one you will need it to be momentary, as otherwise you will either have to turn it immediately back or it will have the effect of holding the power button down.

 

Not many I have seen are momentary.

Ebay also have plenty momentary key switches:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1PC-FITS-XB2-BG61-22MM-1NO-2-Position-Momentary-Key-Select-Selector-Switch/172654540083?hash=item2833033533:g:GTsAAOxyAc1SSpip

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1x-Key-Lock-Power-On-Off-On-Momentary-Key-Switch-44999/201617628235?hash=item2ef158dc4b:g:GwoAAOSw9N1V1LXZ

 

and many more...

[unknownmiscreant]

33 minutes ago, MadsMøller said:

He could probably make a circuit that would change it into a momentary switch.

Probably not something to embark on as a beginner. The control could be an issue too. Maybe edge triggered. 

29 minutes ago, MadsMøller said:

Ebay also have plenty momentary key switches:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1PC-FITS-XB2-BG61-22MM-1NO-2-Position-Momentary-Key-Select-Selector-Switch/172654540083?hash=item2833033533:g:GTsAAOxyAc1SSpip

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1x-Key-Lock-Power-On-Off-On-Momentary-Key-Switch-44999/201617628235?hash=item2ef158dc4b:g:GwoAAOSw9N1V1LXZ

 

and many more...

I don't buy electronics from ebay and haven't looked at keyswitches in a long time. Last time I looked at a electronics retailer they were all ultra expensive and none were momentary. 

[southpark11235]

You don't need to mess around with momentary switches to make this work. A normal car ignition switch is exactly what the OP wants and this is a simple first mod to do. With a car ignition switch when you turn the key all the way to start a connection is made and it turn on the starter motor. There is a spring in the ignition that pushes against the key and tries to turn it back to on so you half to hold the key to use the starter motor. After you let go of the key it springs back to on and the connection is broken. To use this system in a PC all you have to do is put one wire for the power button on the ignition's common and the other wire on start. That way when you turn the key to start the power button will be held down and as soon as you release the key the power button will be released. With the key in the on position no contact will be made and it will not affect the PC. In that state you can turn the key to off and remove it if you want. I have attached a rough drawing of how to wire the system with an option to keep the normal power button.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-IGNITION-SWITCH-LOCK-FLUSH-MOUNT-12-VOLT-2-KEY-3-POSITION-OFF-ON-START/272106578888?epid=1054512195&hash=item3f5ad0e3c8:g:2ocAAOSwCypWmbcj&vxp=mtr