Introduction: Phone Controlled Computer Starter

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Have you ever wanted to start your computer while you are away from home to access some files? Or maybe you wanted to start a download of a new game, so that it would be done when you got home. This project will show how to start and control your computer from anywhere in the world.

We will use a NodeMCU and the Blynk app to start the computer. After it has been turn on, the TeamViewer App will be used to control the computer.

Step 1: Parts & Programs

Parts

  • A computer to turn on
  • NodeMCU (or ESP8266)
  • Project enclosure
  • Cables
  • Optocoupler (Opto-isolator) i used "Sharp PC817"
  • Resistor 200ohm

Programs

  • Blynk App (on Phone)
  • Arduino IDE (on Computer)
  • TeamViewer (on Computer and Phone)

Step 2: TeamViewer

Download the TeamViewer software on the PC that you want to control. Create an account and add your computer to your list of computers. You can control your computer from another computer or by phone.

Step 3: TeamViewer (To Control Computer)

Also download the TeamViewer App from the store, it is free. Login and go to your computers and from there it is just to click on the computer that you want to control.

Step 4: Blynk (To Start Computer)

The Blynk App will be used to trigger the NodeMCU board that will start our computer. Download the app from the store and make an account. Create a new project and add a button to pin 4 (if you use that pin).

Step 5: Program the NodeMCU With Arduino IDE

The pictures contains most of the information in this step.

Arduino IDE

https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software (Here We can download the Arduino IDE)

Blynk

https://github.com/blynkkk/blynk-library/releases (Here we can download the code library for the project)


Add the ESP8266 board to the Arduino IDE

https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino (This is the website where we find the following link)

"http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json" (We will need this link)

Step 6: Make the Hardware

solder the optocoupler as the schematics show.

Step 7: Power the NodeMCU

The board needs power and I do not want to cut open the wires on my power supply. I added a usb power plug to the back of the case to make it easy to supply the board with power.

Step 8: Connect the Wires

This part is quite easy. Dissconect the cable that goes from the power button to the motherboard and plug in one of the two cables from the NodeMCU instead. Now connect the power button cable (that you just dissconected) to the other cable from the NodeMCU board and you are done.

Remember that the current can only flow in one direction in the optocoupler so if it does not work, then you have plugged the cable in the wrong way. (This is not harmful to your computer).

Step 9: The Build in Moving Pictures

I provided a short video of the build. If you want to see a test of the build, there is some at the end of the video!

Thank you for reading my instructable!