I know the old computers had it, the old mac's had one switch in the monitor that would shut off everything.

So I would like to rig up my PC so I just have ONE switch to flip and everything comes on, and a flip and everything goes off(including proper Windows shutdown)

Right now I got to turn on the speakers, and the monitor and then the main computer.

Suggestions?

Get a power strip and plug everything into it. Then use the switch on the power strip to turn everything off. Or do like I do, and plug the power strip into an X10 controller which I can turn on/off remotely.

Use a power strip that has built in surge protection. You can fasten it in a convienent location.

Uh, but won't that cause problems?

Okay, here is what I am planning on doing, the computer unit will have a small UPS.

Whenever I switch the power switch, automatically the computer will shut down, but then if I flip the switch again, how will the computer turn on?
--it will give power to the supply, but you would still need to push the on switch, perhaps the "when power fails" option in bios can turn it on?

I can leave the speakes set to the "on" on their intergrated switches, so they will turn on no problems, but is there another way I can do this with the PC, without a UPS?

Well I don't mean to be snide but what is the big deal with pushing a button? Do you also use an external drive and a printer? Connecting all that stuff to a small UPS won't give you much time in case of a power failure.

"it will give power to the supply, but you would still need to push the on switch"

Nope, you can set an option in the bios to make it power all the way up when power is restored after being completely removed.

That's assuming that you don't have an OEM box with extremely limited bios options.

How much work would it be to get what you want done versus what it would take to shutdown normally and click a power strip?

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.

Forget the switch, I'm going to find one of thoes "clap" switches, so I can set at the comptuer desk and go "clap clap" shutdown!

Thanks for the repiles, I know what I will do, use a UPS and whenever I clap, windows will dectect power out, and shut down, I'll use a Clap Switch.

Gees, when thunder booms your computer may turn on.