I think my boss is nuts... batch file to turn on pc? wtf

[arfett]

My boss is under the impression I can somehow make a batch file to turn a computer on. I'm just about positive this isn't possible since batch just runs DOS based command prompt commands and the BIOS is not DOS. Am I entirely mistaken or is there actually a way to schedule a PC to turn on at a specified time?

[jaclaz]

I would guess that processor speed of a turned off PC would get to 0 Mhz quite soon , so the batch or whatever won't have much speed of execution.

At least "something" must be on to run any program.

If you are on a network, you can use the "Wake on Lan" feature of most recent machines to turn them on, but still at least one machine on the network needs to be switched on to process the script and send the WOL signal/packets.

Some info:

http://www.ezlan.net/WOL.html

Beside the above, with some operating systems and through specific utilities it is possible to hybernate a PC and resume (wake up) it at a given time.

An example is here:

http://genntt.webs.com.ua/

But the PC will be on, only in hybernate/suspend mode.

jaclaz

[Idontwantspam]

Most modern BIOSes have an option somewhere under power management or something of the like to turn on the PC automatically at a specified time. Quite handy sometimes.

[jaclaz]

Most modern BIOSes have an option somewhere under power management or something of the like to turn on the PC automatically at a specified time. Quite handy sometimes.

Yep, that is the so-called "Wake on alarm" or "RTC alarm" feature of ACPI motherboards, but I don't think you can access the "timer" settings in BIOS from batch , or may be there is some utility for them?

However, surely the batch cannot run on the switched off machine.

In linux there is support for it:

http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/ACPI_Wakeup

but it seems like it has been giving lots of problems

jaclaz

P.S.:A (also command line) wake-on-lan app:

http://www.depicus.com/wake-on-lan/

Edited May 14, 2008 by jaclaz

[PC_LOAD_LETTER]

yeah running WOL from another machine on the network is really the only way to go. the RTC boot is unreliable at best in my experience

[FthrJACK]

yes... Wake On Lan is your option. Unless a timed reboot would also suffice what he wants?

is he just wanting to save the expense of running machines overnight when they arent in use? (this can be a lot of money you might be suprised!)

If so then yes WOL, if not then you might find this usefull: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/317371

Or this, as it can handle both tasks, its freeware: http://dshutdown.dimitrios-coutsoumbas-dimio.qarchive.org/

Hope this helps