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General discussion

Turning my computer on using .....

Nov 27, 2003 8:51AM PST

something for which I'm not sure what it's called, but it has 6 switches...AUX2, AUX1, PRINTER, MONITOR, COMPUTER (is always left in the on position), MASTER that the tech that installed my computer put in. After I shut down, I push down the Master switch.
When I turn the computer on with the Master switch, sometimes the computer itself turns on, but at other times I have to click on it's power button.
Why is this happening?

Thanks,
Lee

Discussion is locked

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Really WAG..
Nov 27, 2003 9:13AM PST

That's called a "Power Strip" usually. Probably has some built in surge protection too.
Just thinking that if the computer had something scheduled to do, when your restored the main power, maybe it turned itself on to do the tasks.
Other times, if nothing was scheduled, maybe it was content to stay off?

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Re:Turning my computer on using .....
Nov 27, 2003 9:15AM PST

I presume you are referring to a "power console" of sorts that probably has your monitor on it. These are commonly used power distribution devices and surge protectors and can be convenient but not very protective. The master switch applies power to all the other switches which in turn supply power to the outlets in the rear which should be labeled the same as the switches. Usually all switches are left on except the master but you might be able to leave the master on as well depending on how the power on/off configuration is set in your BIOS. What you have is at "ATX" power supply and compatible motherboard in your computer. It allows your PC to be capable of being turned on by remote devices by keeping a control voltage available to certain devices. One of these is usually your keyboard. If configured properly, you should be able to leave the master switch in the on position and turn off the pc from it's own switch and restart your PC by pressing spacebar on your keyboard or perhaps a mouse button. What is happening to you is that, by turning on the master switch which should only apply the control voltage, something is triggering the PC to start on occasion. This really should not be happening as a rule. I doubt it's an indication of a major problem but here's something to try. When you turn off the master switch, turn off all the others as well. When you turn the PC back on, turn on the master only at first and the other switches one at a time beginning with Computer switch. If the PC works normally and always requires you to press it's power switch, I suspect some sort of surge current is being fed back from having all devices turn on at once. Hope this helps some.

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This is the way that all computers that I use are set up.
Nov 27, 2003 10:13AM PST

If you want the computer [and anything else that you want to come on with that single switch] your BIOS must have the option and you must have it enabled.

The option is named something like [varies slightly in different BIOS's]"Restore Power after interruption" Mine are named "AC PWR Loss Restart".[they are Asus mobos]

If you enable this function [usually it is disabled as the default].

Wih this enabled, and you turn off the main power switch you remove the AC Power from the Power Supply in the tower. The mobo/BIOS/power controln logic interprets this as a power loss. Thus when you turn that main switch back on the system thinks that the power has been restored [it really has been] and turns the computer on [as you have instructed it to do].

This option, if your BIOS has it, is usually found in the Power menu section of the BIOS.

If you were to turn the system off and try to turn it back on in less than a minute or so, you will have to also hit the computer ON switch. The reason that this happens is that after you removed the power the capacitors in the supply and the power control logic didn't have time to fully discharge so the logic has not realized that the power was lost yet.

You cannot use "On by Keyboard" with the AC PWR loss restart enabled because that function requires the 5 volt logic voltage to be present on the mobo. When you leave the computer plugged into the power line [and don't turn the AC power off] the 5 volt logic power is ALWAYS present on an ATX type system. [also not all BIOS's offer "On by switchboard"]

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[NT] Last word should have been keyboard not switchboard.
Nov 28, 2003 5:27AM PST

.

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Thanks everyone. I will be testing your suggestions this week and see what happens
Nov 27, 2003 11:02PM PST

I just couldn't figure out by shutting down and starting up the same way, those switches reacted differently at times.

Lee