FREE: Watchdog PC - schematics and software

The listing, Watchdog PC - schematics and software has ended.

I designed this probably ten years ago when I was running a small radio station in the neighborhood. I used a computer DJ program to serve up the MP3 files 24/7. More than once, I would come into the shop in the morning, only to find the sound going "dadadadadadadada..." - stuttering because the program had locked up. Enter the WatchDog PC.

The circuit, designed around a PIC16F84, acting as the 'parent', sends a request to the computer every so often. If everything is OK, a 'child' program running in the background on the computer acknowledges that everything is fine. If the 'child' doesn't answer, then the circuit assumes that the system has locked up and shorts the reset pins on the motherboard. The software was written for DOS and Windows 9x, but I have included the source code as well so it should be easy enough to modify for newer versions. Also included in the .ZIP file are the original notes I drew up while designing this, the source code to program your own PIC chip and several pictures of my own WatchDog circuit as well as the schematic and PCB layout that I used.

Again, just to clarify this: this is NOT an ACTUAL device. You are bidding on an original set of plans, schematics and software that will be sent via email. Unlike most of the recipes, DYI instructions and tips found on Listia nowadays, this is MY OWN ORIGINAL CREATION. I hold the copyright on this design. You are allowed to use these plans to build your own device, but you can NOT sell this as your own design.

Enjoy...