Powering up multiple computers with one button

[John_427]

I have two computers set up to run a simulator for students at my school. One runs the visuals and program, and the other runs a network based instrument panel monitor plus instructor station. I would like it set up in a way that someone can walk up and press one button to power them both up. The end goal being that someone can come up press one button and they both power up, launch their respective programs and open the simulator session with no additional input.

Could you splice one power switch into two mobo's or is that a bad idea? I was thinking about wake on lan, but then would you need a third computer with the power switch to send the command?

 

[kanewolf]

Do they have to start powering up at the same instant? If not then the computer that is physically powered up can send the WOL packet as part of its startup. How do you power them down?

 

[John_427]

Do they have to start powering up at the same instant? If not then the computer that is physically powered up can send the WOL packet as part of its startup. How do you power them down?

They don't necessary have to start up at the same time, it would just be nice. That's a good idea though, I'll try it and see what kind of delay there is. I'll need to automate whatever program to send the packet on startup. Do you know of a program with that functionality built in? And I don't have a solid shutdown idea yet but thanks for reminding me.

 

[kanewolf]

Windows task scheduler can run something at start-up. Just need to create a batch file for it to run