want to shutdown computer with power suply switch

[Paridoth]

im putting together a computer for my father that will have no case,
just a mainbaord, which means it will have no power button that would
normaly come with a case, and so i wanted him to be able to shutdown
and start the computer using the switch on the back of the power
supply. this worked fine until i installed windows xp sp2 on the
computer. now when i tell windows to shutdown, it powers the computer
off automaticly when it finishes and the computer cannot be started
back up until a power button is conected to the mainbaord.

i was thinking that if i could disable the automatic power off that
windows performs, and get it to do what older computers did, which is
to display the "it is now safe to shutdown your computer screen" then i
could still use the back of the power suply switch to start and
shutdown the computer.

will this work? if so how can i do it?

 

[Squire]

Control panel,
Power options,
APM tab,
Disable advanced power management support.

 

[Paridoth]

i dont see a "apm tab" =/

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/9605/clipboard010ey.jpg

 

[FeMaster]

It's because your computer is ACPI Compliant; the APM tab won't show..

If you got to this link:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810903/en-us?FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH and try "STEP
5", you MAY get the results you are looking for... I'm not going to take
any responsibility for damage to your WIN XP install however... All I'm
saying is that by the sounds of it, should work, but I'm not saying that it
will...

 

[FeMaster]

Sorry about all the typing errors... It's LATE here...

 

[AJR]

Power to ATX boards is software controlled - on/off "button" not direct
wired to the power supply. Shutting down and starting using power supply
switch is poor "computer" practice for numerous reasons - however in your
case- exposed mother board- ATX power supplies technically are on as long
as they are plugged into wall socket in that five volts (sensing voltage) is
provided to the board (whether or not computer is on). - so turning the
system on/off with a switch connected to the board does not turn off the
power supply.
In fact some boards have a led installed which indicates the presence of the
five volts as a troubleshooting item.

Recommendation - get a case!