cold boot self start: is this possible?

[antgross@pacbell.net]

I was wondering if I can tell my pc to turn itself on at particular time every morning?

[rightcoast]

Absolutely, the easiest way I can think of is to bypass the on/off switch by jumping it, and plugging the computer itself into one of those wall socket light timers. I'm sure there are more creative ways, but that seems the easiest.

[antgross@pacbell.net]

Originally Posted by rightcoast Absolutely, the easiest way I can think of is to bypass the on/off switch by jumping it, and plugging the computer itself into one of those wall socket light timers. I'm sure there are more creative ways, but that seems the easiest.

I can't see my computer right now 'cause I'm at work but I believe the button for the on/off switch does not stay pressed in when it's pushed. Otherwise, you're idea would work.

I thought they're might be some solution within windows xp itself that would allow this or perhaps within the BIOS settings.

[danman2005]

The only way I've seen a program start a computer is if the program puts the computer on standby or in hibernation and then brings it out of it. As for the timer, you might be able to short the power switch on the MOBO with a small bit of foil. I don't know if that will make the computer start and turn off over and over again. Someone else might be able to fill that in for me. But, if you can short the atx switch on the MOBO then the timer would work. If you don't want to do that and you are fine with the computer on standby. Then you can google a progam that will do that. I'm sure someone knows what program you can use.

[Statica]

Your BIOS has an option for Power on by RTC alarm. Provided you have a compatible power supply it should allow you to power up by setting an alarm on the realtime clock. Look under APM configuration of your BIOS.

[danman2005]

I think I'll see if I can do that. Great Suggestion.

[rightcoast]

Statica has a good idea I didn't think of, but I really didn't mean tape the switch down or anything. I meant actually jump it, like remove it so the PC powers on as if you were jumping the jumpers on the motherboard with a screwdriver if you know what I mean. It would be simple, just wire it up, sans switch.

Like I said though Statica's idea is great and requires less work it sounds like, as long as your bios allows it and you don't need a new power supply.

[glc]

Jumping the switch will not work - because it works on momentary contact. A "stuck" switch will power it right down after a couple seconds.

[Statica]

The only real ugly way to do it, that I can think of, is by putting it on one of those timer plugs and then have the power go on and off automatically (No graceful computer shutdown allowed). Then go to the BIOS and turn on reboot after power loss. As I said it's really ugly that is if you're quite insistent that you will not use the RTC power up.