Power on my PC with RFID

by nbear1

Electronics Completed

Electronics Journey Overview

Follow this step-by-step electronics journey to see real progress updates, challenges overcome, and practical experience.

Progress Updates (6 total)

Update #1: Power on my PC with RFID

10% complete
I have an older PC that I think would be cool if I made it be able to power on with an RFID module.
Challenges Overcome: Purchased the Arduino Nano and RFID modules.
Obstacles Faced: Electronic wizardry is magic and I am no wizard.
Next Steps: Do some benchtop testing with these two parts.
Looking Back: Both modules will work off of 3.3v which can be permanently provided by a PC power supply, even when the PC is off. Allowing the Arduino to always be on and "listening" for the RFID signal to power on the PC.

Update #2: proto-circuitry magic

40% complete
Prototyped the circuit and got the code working. The white LED in the foreground is a stand-in for a relay that would functionally power on the PC.
Challenges Overcome: Chatgpt did my code, I'm not a wizard Harry and I'm not affriad to admit it.
Obstacles Faced: Crappy breadboards and wires lead to loose connections. I didn't WANT to solder the headers on the nano, but for testing reliability I did.
Next Steps: Design a case for the nano and RFID reader to mount to the PC. Also cannibalize the PC power supply to wire in the arduino. Procure a relay for power stuff.
Looking Back: RFID is cool

Update #3: Relay switch

65% complete
Added a relay to the circuit. Now when a valid RFID tag is detected the relay will activate. This will be crucial for actually powering on the PC.
Next Steps: Connect to a PC Power Supply I think and test with the PC.
Looking Back: Relay module wiring Relay Module Pin (Nano ESP32 Pin) S (D2) + (VBUS / 5V) - (GND) Screw terminal side Relay Terminal (Use) COM (One side of mock button / future PWR_SW) NO (Other side of mock button / future PWR_SW) NC (Not used)

Update #4: ITS ALIVE!!!

75% complete
built a frankencomputer from spare parts I had in my pc parts bins. This thing is just meant to be a test bed, not my actual gaming rig. Parts include an ASROCK H87M PRO4 MB, Intel i5-4670k CPU, KINGSTON HYPERX 8GB DDR3 RAM, GEFORCE GT440 GPU, 550W PSU. No HDD needed.
Challenges Overcome: Well i had working spare parts in my boxes. the fact I was able to cobble this frankencomluter together is an achievement.
Obstacles Faced: Finding these parts in my bins, and not knowing if I had already tossed them or not.
Next Steps: Plug the RFID circuit into the power button header and see if I can do this.
Looking Back: Holding on to old tech can be useful.

Update #5: Powered on via RFID

80% complete
"Successfully" introduced power to the PC with the RFID circuit. The PC powered on and the lights activated.
Challenges Overcome: Powered the PC with the circuit.
Obstacles Faced: the relay is open for too long, thus the system automatically powers back off... need to adjust the arduino code to only open the circuit to the relay for a brief period like <1sec
Next Steps: reprogram the arduino and retest
Looking Back: all these wires are messy

Update #6: Houston we have RFID power

100% complete
We did it! PC powered on via an RFID circuit. This was pretty cool to see work!
Challenges Overcome: Getting this Frankenstein PC put together from spare parts and powering it on.
Obstacles Faced: Power to the arduino and RFID circuit.
Next Steps: If I were to completely finish this goal, i would consider the need to move the RFID reader external to the case and more importantly provide permanent power to the arduino from the power supply. that is a bit more involved though so I might make it a future project.
Looking Back: RFID/NFC circuits

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