Complete your new top-of-the-line high-spec "beast" computer with the ultimate accessory: a pull-cord which is used to start the computer and it's cooling fans.

The pull-cord would operate in a similar way to the starting mechanism on most lawn-mowers. Simply pull the cord repeatedly (usually many more times than supposedly required ;) until your computer starts. For maximum effect(not 100% neccessary though), the cooling fans could run on petrol to get that athentic smell :)

Imagine impressing your friends by starting your "beast" with a pull-cord!
-- Achenar, Jul 10 2004

Harley Keys http://www.halfbake.../idea/Harley_20Keys
[Amos Kito, Oct 04 2004]

Will the Pull-Start Computer (lawnmower-like) clear my working area of unwanted bills and spirally pencil shavings?
-- skinflaps, Jul 10 2004


Would it be smart enough to mow the lawn?
-- ldischler, Jul 10 2004


I'd suggest the slight modification of "Pull-Start like a Chainsaw" or "ATV". That sounds more exciting than starting a lawnmower.
Otherwise, I'd prefer kick-start, which could be combined with Harley Keys [link].
-- Amos Kito, Jul 10 2004


BTW, some electric motors used to require manual starting (actually, some still will, if the starting capacitors fail)
-- supercat, Jul 10 2004


Pull start on an ATV? what do you drive?
-- swimr, Jul 10 2004


A keystart computer would be interesting.
-- Detly, Jul 10 2004


keystart would be very geek, pullstart even more so. windows me users would develop great arm strength.

i would think the keystart would be a no-brainer for computer case mod geeks. (+)
-- xclamp, Jul 10 2004


heh heh heh.
-- yellowblueberries, Jul 10 2004


Variation (one I'd vote for): Internal combustion PC. A gas powered portable computer.
-- phoenix, Jul 11 2004


And a little Model T hand crank for my mouse.
-- FarmerJohn, Jul 11 2004


The coolest super cars have a large red button to start the engine, rather than a key, hand crank, cable pull etc (imagine starting your lambo Gallardo with a lawnmower pull, would it really look cool?) So a really cool alternative to this would be a large red button with start written on it. Awfully similar to current PC design though.

Petrol power, now that's something I could go for. How about a 550bhp 6 litre Pentium IV with straight through exhaust and twin turbo. Only problem is, when I drive it, the windows fall out!
-- WYBloke, Jul 12 2004


I'd like to see this feature on game consoles like the XBox, and rigged so you have to re-pull after every round of your game. That way it would force couch potato gamer kids to get a little exercise now and then.
-- krelnik, Jul 12 2004


This is semi-baked in Internet Explorer. When I click on a link, occasionally the screen just comes up blank and says "Done". I have to hit Refresh 5 or 6 times before it finally decides to actually load the page.
-- phundug, Jul 12 2004


BTW, I forgot to mention--some older computers had (or developed) kick-start hard drives. The drives wouldn't start spinning on powerup until they were kicked (or hit, or otherwise mechanically jarred).
-- supercat, Jul 12 2004


The thought of pull-starting a computer is the funniest thing I've imagined in quite a while. LMAO!
-- uc_slig, Jan 04 2005


I've heard that computers use most power when starting up so this would be environmentally sound, especially if coupled with a wind up power supply
-- rambling_sid, Jan 04 2005



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