In short, I am looking for a way to turn on my XBox with a remote control.

My online research has turned up solutions (such as
http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/xir.php) which require me to open
the XBox and connect wires internally to the XBox power button.  This
would void the warranty, and is not an approach I wish to take.

It seems to me like there should be a product which can receive an IR
remote signal, and physically press a button (in this case, the XBox
power button).

In researching this, it seems that such a device could be built
leveraging some type of solenoid, an IR receiver, and some device from
X10.  But, I don't really want to build and tinker if at all possible.

I am hoping this product already exists somewhere (and is relatively
inexpensive).  I would be very appreciative if you could point me to
somewhere I could buy this product (or suggest a way to easily solve
my problem another way).

Thanks.

As long as you can simply push the power button to the "on" position,
the device below would do the trick:
http://www.shopfromyourhome.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=HW2190


Heavy Duty Remote Control for Indoor or Outdoor by Dimango  $29.99
Description
This indoor and outdoor Remote-Controlled Switch is ideal for patio,
driveway, shed lights or to operate Christmas lights. With 150'
operating range, it can be used indoors or outdoors in temperatures
from -20ºF to 150ºF. It works with incandescent, flourescent and
halogen lights but is not limited to only powering lights.  Any device
with a standard plug, will plug into this remote-controlled switch. 
Up to four separate switches can be used in a home.
Features

    * Heavy duty remote control.
    * Plugs into any standard electrical outlet.
    * No wiring required.
    * For outdoor use.
    * 150' range between plug and remote button.
    * Supports up to 13 Amps, 1560 Watts Resistance Load
    * Supports 960 Watts Incandescent, 960 Watts Flourescent.

--> This is assuming your Xbox does not have the 'electronic' switch
(hence a momentary).  If it does, I have seen a bypass by merely
jumping the 2 wires on the switch.  This leaves the unit in an "on"
state and all you need is the power, which in fact the device above
would work as well.

The XBox does have an eletronic switch (press the same button for
on/off, and always starts in the off position), and my goal is to not
mess with the wiring in the XBox (there is a tried and tested solution
if I wish to mess with the wiring), so this does not solve my problem,
but thanks for your input.

It seems to me like the product I am looking for would exist
somewhere.  But, I have yet to find it.  Thanks.

My husband has just the type of device you are seeking, three of them
actually. Although you must find somewhere else to get them, as I am
sure he'd be unwilling to part with any of them.  His high tech
devices also turn on and off lights, open doors, and retrive
beverages. They are called kids. You may find them around mothers,
although I would try for a older model as younger ones come completely
unprogramed.

Actually, I don't have any of those devices, though I hear maitaining
such devices can be quite costly and time-consuming.  I have a similar
version called a girlfriend, though I have found the device stops
responding after repeated use.

Hi flyingpenguin,

Here's the cheapest and simplest solution. 

Buy a cheap R/C car. It should be regular sized, not the mini ones.
Now you can use the front wheel to turn on the XBox. Your going to
have to mount it so that if you give the turn right or left signal,
depending on how your XBox is oriented, the wheel touches and pushes
the on button. If that doesn't work, glue a weight to the back wheel.
If you give the move forward/backward signal  the weight will hit the
button and turn it on. If that doesn't work, glue a popsicle stick
with a weight onto the back wheel, sort of like a hammer. Hope that
helps.

Regards,
Neutron Coding. 

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