How does one switch off a mini-pc with a power trigger

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david54321

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If I install a windows based mini-pc in a car that sources its power from the car battery, how can this pc be shut down safely without the use of an UPS to facilitate this shutdown. What I am looking for is for the off-button on the pc to be activated when the ignition switch is turned off. Would be very interested to hear possibilities. Note that the mini-pc does have an USB port that may be used. Many thx
 
Vehicle PC's have an input to monitor the ignition. They get their power from the battery directly. When the ignition is turned off it triggers Windows to shut down. When the vehicle is started the PC will be turned on after a safety interval. All the settings are typically controlled via the BIOS.

So a regular PC won't work imo.
 
A very special issue trying to run PCs in a vehicle.

Search for DIY car Computer and similar phrases. Plenty of info available on the Internet.
 
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Another thing, vehicle PCs can operate over a range of voltages and can handle fluctuating voltages.
 
Many thx. I should add that I am not looking to use a "vehicle pc"; in essence I am looking to link in a Windows mini-pc with a screen that will automatically switch-on when the ignition key is turned-on. As mentioned, it's when the ignition key is turned-off when the challenge arises as one needs ~ 1 minute of power to allow Windows to shut-down safely and a signal / trigger needs to be sent to the mini-pc for this instruction to be carried out. Thx again
 
david54321 said:
Many thx. I should add that I am not looking to use a "vehicle pc"; in essence I am looking to link in a Windows mini-pc with a screen that will automatically switch-on when the ignition key is turned-on. As mentioned, it's when the ignition key is turned-off when the challenge arises as one needs ~ 1 minute of power to allow Windows to shut-down safely and a signal / trigger needs to be sent to the mini-pc for this instruction to be carried out. Thx again
Click to expand...

Maybe use an Arduino or Raspberry Pi to monitor for ignition that activates a relay connected to the power button connector on the mobo. Wire the PC to the battery so it has plenty of time. Is this a 220V PC then you'll need an inverter. Not a great solution imo.
 
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david54321 said:
Many thx. I should add that I am not looking to use a "vehicle pc"; in essence I am looking to link in a Windows mini-pc with a screen that will automatically switch-on when the ignition key is turned-on. As mentioned, it's when the ignition key is turned-off when the challenge arises as one needs ~ 1 minute of power to allow Windows to shut-down safely and a signal / trigger needs to be sent to the mini-pc for this instruction to be carried out. Thx again
Click to expand...

You gonna need a bit of electronic circuitry to achieve that. Should not be too hard to design.
 
Thx. Mini-pc is 5v (stepped down by converter), screen is 12v. I think this makes more sense than going the inverter route (220v)? Do you have any concerns on this config.

Agree that pc is wired to battery. Am considering your suggestion to monitor ignition that activates relay. Instead of activating the power button connector on the mobo, is there any way that this command could be activated through the USB on the mobo?

Many thx again!
 
david54321 said:
Thx. Mini-pc is 5v (stepped down by converter), screen is 12v. I think this makes more sense than going the inverter route (220v)? Do you have any concerns on this config.

Agree that pc is wired to battery. Am considering your suggestion to monitor ignition that activates relay. Instead of activating the power button connector on the mobo, is there any way that this command could be activated through the USB on the mobo?

Many thx again!
Click to expand...

If you have a relay that triggers you might as well connect the relay directly to the power button pins on the motherboard in a NO configuration. A button is just shorting out those two pins, the relay will do exactly the same thing...

From here it is a matter of telling windows what to do when the power button is pushed.
 
david54321 said:
If I install a windows based mini-pc in a car that sources its power from the car battery, how can this pc be shut down safely without the use of an UPS to facilitate this shutdown. What I am looking for is for the off-button on the pc to be activated when the ignition switch is turned off. Would be very interested to hear possibilities. Note that the mini-pc does have an USB port that may be used. Many thx
Click to expand...

Likely you would do better getting a carputer or at a push using a laptop and setting it to go to sleep a few minutes after charge goes away (then manually turning it on each time you start the car).
 
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