Impossible to split this pwr-switch? (to power on from different room)

Forums › Desktop computing › Impossible to split this pwr-switch? (to power on from different room)

Niber

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#320136 10-Jul-2025 07:25

I bought on Aliexpress a powerswitch splitter, so that any computer can be turned off from 2 buttons (one on the desktop, and one in the room where I'm using the desktop),

but now that I was about to install it I'm realizing it might not work. Seems my motherboard is using this single cable to bridge its chassi with the motherboard. So I guess unless I'm willing to mess with this cable by cutting it up and soldiering a splitter onto one wire, my idea isn't going to work?

nztim

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#3392613 10-Jul-2025 08:53

It's the chassis cable not the motherboard cable, that pinout is a standard ATX pinout so the Chassis manufacturer can produce a single connector

unless you are willing to cut the chassis cable you are SOOL

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DaMuzzMan67

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#3392619 10-Jul-2025 09:00

If you are wanting to turn on from a different room, as an alternative, have you thought about waking the computer using Wake on Lan? You need to configure using both the BIOS and Windows settings. I have just set it up using a Gaming Computer (separate room) to our TV using a 30 metre long Fibre Optic HDMI Cable. To turn on I just use my android phone with the "Wake on Lan" app to send the wake-up packet to the computer.

Turning off, not so sure...

nztim

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#3392623 10-Jul-2025 09:12

DaMuzzMan67:

If you are wanting to turn on from a different room, as an alternative, have you thought about waking the computer using Wake on Lan?

^^^^^ This

However, this requires the device to be connected via ethernet and not Wi-Fi not sure of the OPs setup

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Niber

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#3392655 10-Jul-2025 10:59

DaMuzzMan67:

If you are wanting to turn on from a different room, as an alternative, have you thought about waking the computer using Wake on Lan? You need to configure using both the BIOS and Windows settings. I have just set it up using a Gaming Computer (separate room) to our TV using a 30 metre long Fibre Optic HDMI Cable. To turn on I just use my android phone with the "Wake on Lan" app to send the wake-up packet to the computer.

Turning off, not so sure...

I use WakeOnLan now, but the problem is:

1) can't force turnoff/restart when computer freezes

2) i would like to disable the ethernet adapter when I'm doing overnight renders, as I just don't like the idea of leaving the computer on with internet access

WOW I can't believe u use 30m cable!! previously I did try having my office far away, but eventually I gave up as I found that long cables was just always a hassle, especially usb no matter how many powered hubs or usb-ethernet etc I tried (they would sometimes work and sometimes become unrelyable)

Niber

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#3392658 10-Jul-2025 11:04

nztim:

It's the chassis cable not the motherboard cable, that pinout is a standard ATX pinout so the Chassis manufacturer can produce a single connector

unless you are willing to cut the chassis cable you are SOOL

Ahh ok bummer, it's quite an expensive chassi that I want to sell some day so not sure if I dare (and would suck if I messed up)

altho I think I just figured out the solution.. I guess I could just ONLY plug in the remote power button, as none of those chassi options seems important.

nztim

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#3392726 10-Jul-2025 12:07

Niber:

DaMuzzMan67:

If you are wanting to turn on from a different room, as an alternative, have you thought about waking the computer using Wake on Lan? You need to configure using both the BIOS and Windows settings. I have just set it up using a Gaming Computer (separate room) to our TV using a 30 metre long Fibre Optic HDMI Cable. To turn on I just use my android phone with the "Wake on Lan" app to send the wake-up packet to the computer.

Turning off, not so sure...

I use WakeOnLan now, but the problem is:

1) can't force turnoff/restart when computer freezes

2) i would like to disable the ethernet adapter when I'm doing overnight renders, as I just don't like the idea of leaving the computer on with internet access

Does your motherboard/CPU support AMT?

You can install another NIC in the PC and the use that for OS access data then turn the PC on/off via AMT

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#3392740 10-Jul-2025 12:45

nztim:

It's the chassis cable not the motherboard cable, that pinout is a standard ATX pinout so the Chassis manufacturer can produce a single connector

unless you are willing to cut the chassis cable you are SOOL

No need to cut the cable, just use a 10x2 F to 2x 10x2 M ribbon cable. I had a quick look for an off-the-shelf solution and didn't find one, but they almost certainly exist and wouldn't be difficult to make yourself.

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nztim

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#3392825 10-Jul-2025 15:54

Actually, you could buy this and put your splitter in place of the power switch cable

Chassis Connector > extension cables > motherboard

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jonherries

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#3393410 12-Jul-2025 09:03

Ah… why don’t you use ssh or vnc to turn it off/restart it? Or have I missed something?

Second question why are you turning it off?

Jon

nzkc

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#3393516 12-Jul-2025 13:03

jonherries:

Ah… why don’t you use ssh or vnc to turn it off/restart it? Or have I missed something?

Second question why are you turning it off?

Jon

They mentioned "when it locks up" which might mean its unresponsive completely. Assuming it is; I'd be swaying towards some kind of remote KVM a la Jet KVM or Pi KVM

Maybe not the cheapest solution. But possibly the cleanest.