How to turn my PC into a console?

[DStruct]

Hi

Ive been a PC gamer for over a decade now and Ive been wondering this for some time. I play a variety of different kind of games, some I need to be up close to the monitor using keyboard and mouse, and others I prefer to sit back with a controller and play on the big screen. I do own a PS3 but I never bother using it, games too expensive and PC is just my comfort zone.

Is there any way I can..

1. Be able to power on my system with a wireless mouse or keyboard, or even better with the official 360 controller for windows
2. Be able to somehow create some macro that will toggle my display from the monitor onto my big screen, or clone, from a touch of a button, saves having to go through all the settings
3. Be able to control my system with the official 360 controller for windows, i.e browse through steam games library and be able to launch the game

Im probably looking for a piece of software that does all this for me, but more than 1 software is fine aslong as it can do what I want it too.
Basically want to be able to wake up in bed and be able to turn my PC on, toggle it onto the big screen, launch and play a game on the tele without having to get up and set it all up normally, and then jump back in bed with the controller.
You could call it lazy but I call it convenience

 

[UnworthyBean]

Hi

2. Be able to somehow create some macro that will toggle my display from the monitor onto my big screen, or clone, from a touch of a button, saves having to go through all the settings

Win + P.

Job done

 

[chaparral]

Is there any way I can..

1. Be able to power on my system with a wireless mouse or keyboard, or even better with the official 360 controller for windows
2. Be able to somehow create some macro that will toggle my display from the monitor onto my big screen, or clone, from a touch of a button, saves having to go through all the settings
3. Be able to control my system with the official 360 controller for windows, i.e browse through steam games library and be able to launch the game

Do what i did and build a highend HTPC to use on your main TV........

 

[DStruct]

Win + P???? HTPC????

Sorry but what are they

 

[chaparral]

Win + P???? HTPC????

Sorry but what are they

win + P is a shortcut

By Pressing the windows key & P key at the same time

 

[DStruct]

OK googled that

Forgot to mention, keeping the price at a very minimal is a must Preferably completely free

 

[chaparral]

An HTPC is normally a system you build for using with your TV..

This is mine on the top shelf

 

[DStruct]

win + P is a shortcut

By Pressing the windows key & P key at the same time

holy ****, how didnt I know about this lol

ok well thats that one sorted

 

[DStruct]

An HTPC is a system you build to go on your TV AV rack

This is mine on the top shelf

fair doos that is smart wish i had the money to do that but nah

just need to find a way to be able to power on my PC with my wireless keyboard / mouse now, or the 360 controller

 

[chaparral]

fair doos that is smart wish i had the money to do that but nah

Working 59hours almost every week helps me to pay for this..

just need to find a way to be able to power on my PC with my wireless keyboard / mouse now, or the 360 controller

I think you need to leave your PC in sleep mode...
I Don't think there is any way to power a PC on from being completely off..

 

[DStruct]

too bad
oh well thanks anyways, and very thanks for the win+p thing lol cant believe i only just learnt that

 

[Raumarik]

If you want a remote turn on (albeit with a cable you can hide) check out the Sharkoon jump start, comes with a reasonably long cable that you can extend if you're good with a soldering iron

http://www.sharkoon.com/?q=en/content/pc-jump-start

I ran mine through the wall so the PC was in a different room but I had the power button and USB next to me, worked a treat for what I needed

 

[DStruct]

clicking my mouse used to turn my pc on, but my wired mouse, not wireless
i thought it was some sort of bug at the time and didnt like it, so i went through all the settings and biosed and disabled everything to do with the mouse and power, it doesnt do it anymore

now i actually want it to do that again lol, gone through the same settings i remember and enabled them all but it wont do it, and yes from power being completly off it used to boot up my pc by clicking the mouse! not in sleep mode

 

[iTek]

I think you can change a jumper on the motherboard to power up by keyboard...

 

[Mattus]

Leave on sleep mode and activate with mouse or keyboard?

I don't know why anybody doesn't use sleep mode these days.

 

[Murray]

This should sort out number 3, when its released that is.. http://www.steampowered.com/steamworks/thebigpicture.php

 

[chaparral]

fair doos that is smart wish i had the money to do that but nah

It really don't cost that much money to build a HTPC if you use the old parts from your main PC when you upgrade..
So the best time to build one would be when you upgrade your main system..

Plus most people who into PC's & PC gaming will normally have at lest some spare PC Components laying around the house they could use to help with the build..

 

[BigBoy]

Windows Media remote will allow you to completely power down the system and turn back on via the IR receiver. Win+P will switch to your larger display. and me media remote (depending on the one you buy) will allow you to use the desktop and will work just like a mouse!

Or If you have a smart phone look at one of the many desktop control apps that are knocking about. I have a windows phone and use http://www.pcremoteserver.com/ to remote control my HTPC via WIFI with very little input lag!