Reboot a computer with another computer?

[voodoojc]

Is there a device that will allow a computer to activate the reset button on another computer? Some sort of relay that could be software controlled would be perfect.

I have three computers I need to run 24/7 and every once in a while, a computer would lock up. I would like to be able to remote desktop into one of the computers to reboot the locked up computer. Any cheap way of doing this?

 

[postmortemIA]

free tool, called pstools by sysinternal/microsoft.
you just need admin rights on the target pc

 

[mfenn]

free tool, called pstools by sysinternal/microsoft.
you just need admin rights on the target pc

I think he wants a hardware option that is independent of the operating system.

OP, you could certainly do a fun little Arduino project that's wired into the computer's reset switch. However, an off-the-shelf option is to set the machines' BIOS to power on when AC power is detected and then get a remote-controllable PDU. There are many such devices, but this will do exactly what you want (4 outlets).

 

[JackMDS]

I think he wants a hardware option that is independent of the operating system.

OP, you could certainly do a fun little Arduino project that's wired into the computer's reset switch.

The following is a MicroRealy that can be controlled by software (comes with the hardware) to actuate the relay that is connected to one of the USB ports of the computer.

http://sigma-shop.com/product/67/usb-relay-controller-one-channel-pcb.html (shipped from Bulgaria to the US accepting paypal).

Connect the Relay Normally Open output via two wires to the physical Reset button.

When you want to reset the computer connect to it via the Internet using remote control program (like VNC) and click on the software that in turn will actuate the relay and short the Reset switch.

I actually use it and it works very well.