Push a button to turn on a PC, with the Arduino?

[fractal5]

I have a simple task I want to do but I'm not sure what to search for. I want to push a button with the Arduino to make it turn on a desktop PC. If I search for anything related to buttons and pushing them, I get examples of how to get the Arduino to register that a button has been pushed, when the button is connected to the Arduino.

I don't need a physical mechanism to push down on the button, I can solder wires directly to it. To turn on a desktop PC you'd normally just short the two wires the power button is connected to (forgive me if this is not a safe way to do it). Is there a trivial way to make the Arduino do this?

 

[heydonms]

Try searching for "optocoupler", "solid state relay (SSR)" and "relay". Those are listed in the order that I would recommend them for a normal electronics project (relay is last because it is the most complex to drive), but since you are talking arduino where everything is a shield, just get a relay shield (all of the drive circuitry will be taken care of for you).

 

[misterT]

If I search for anything related to buttons and pushing them, I get examples of how to get the Arduino to register that a button has been pushed, when the button is connected to the Arduino.

Well of course.. you need to search for "turn on pc with arduino".

 

[CroneA]

https://www.instructables.com/id/arduino-controlled-pc-power-switch/
this one looks good!