VERY EASY arcade monitor on/off switch w/ArcadeOS !!

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: I got this to work in about 5 min. No soldering. No assembly. $15 in parts. : This allows the PC to turn the arcade monitor on/off when the video is in the right mode. It uses the X10 products (www.x10.com) for control and requires a serial port. : 1) goto http://www.x10.com/welcome/firecracker/fc_offer_br1.htm and get the Firecracker kit ($5.90 for real !) This comes with a lamp module which has dimming. We don't need it but it is included. : 2) then buy an X10 appliance module. $10 - $12. They have them locally at Lowes (like Home Depot), or order one at www.x10.com or www.smarthome.com The appliance module can switch 15amps and no dimming function (which is good) : 3) goto http://home.att.net/~detonator1/ and download the SWITCH program for COM1 or COM2. Whichever you need. : 4) Plug in the dongle (firecracker) to your serial port. Copy the SWITCH program and files to your PC. : 5) Get a 3 plug extension cord w/ground. Plug in your PC, the transceiver (in the kit), and the appliance module. Plug you cabinet into the appliance module. : 6) Set the House of your transceiver and appliance module to be the same code (for example G) Set the appliance module code (for example 3). The cab will be G3. : 7) Go into you AUTOEXEC.BAT and add the following command`right before ARCADEOS : SWITCH G3ON : 8) After the ARCADEOS add : SWITCH G3OFF : 9) If you are using ARCMON.SYS or MON-ARC, you can put the SWITCH G3ON just after the video mode is correct for an arcade monitor (earlier on you autoexec). : How it all works: : Your PC starts up and gets the video set correctly (or will just about be when ArcadeOs starts) The SWITCH command uses the firecracker to send an RF signal to the transceiver (G3ON), it the sends a command to the appliance module to turn it on. Your cab/monitor turns on. : When you exit ArcadeOs the next command is run which in this case is SWITCH G3OFF. So your cab turns off. : This would actually work with any monitor/cab not just arcade monitors. Also, there is a pass-thru on the dongle but you can't put a mouse on it. It won't work. : No electrical soldering. No high voltages. VERY VERY EASY !!!! and very reasonably priced. : I got it to work tonight and wanted to share with everyone what I found out !

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