[ubuntu-us-mn] ATX powerup software

[Fred H Olson]

This is not an Ubuntu question but it relates to the
Growing Communities Of Scientists (GCOS) computers in classrooms
project (see http://fholson.cohousing.org/blog/#i8t_ )

The usual ATX PC power supply is always on in standby when "off"
and software boots the computer in response to the "On" switch
being pressed momentarily.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atx#Power_supply

For the GCOS project it would be nice to be able to turn all 16
computers (and monitors on) by simply turning the power on *to* the
power supply (with the switch on a few plug strips).

Is the software that boots the computer when it sees the "On" signal
in the bios as I suspect?
Is there any reasonable way to congfigure or change it so the computer
boots immediately upon getting power?  Worst case, anyone up to designing
a little circuit that closes the "On" circuit (instead of the switch doing
so) when power comes up? Maybe with a setable delay so we could stagger
bootup a bit.

Fred

--
Fred H. Olson  Minneapolis,MN 55411  USA        (near north Mpls)
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