Who is turning my comp-on?

[robert006]

I have a broadband connection.
I do not leave the computer on all the time. Once I finish with the computer I normally switch everything off, from the mains socket. sometimes I forget to switch off at the mains,after about ten or fifteen minutes (guessing the time) the computer turns itself on.
Hope it is not someone trying to hack my computer through my broadband connection.
Any help or suggestion will be highly appreciated.

[YODA74]

Are you useing a UPS have you checked your power settings if so then I would suggest down loading HiJackThis and post a log

[John0904]

Could be someone sending WakeOnLAN packets to your computer. I don't know.

1. Have this problem with broadband physically removed? (Cables unplugged.)
2. Are you on a LAN?
3. Have you ran a virus check recently?
4. Brand/Model of network card?

[Whyzman]

Hmmm...I'd say you would want to have a look in your BIOS for settings related to "Wake on LAN," or "Wake on Ring," or similar entries...

"Wake on Mouse," "Wake on Keyboard,"...have a cat?? ;)

(edit) John you seem a bit hyper this morning...jumping in there just before me like that... :D

[korky45]

I'm with the others - check your PSU out - and the BIOS setting in particular - things like wakeup. Also have a look and see if the modem has any settings which will allow it to switch on the PC to make a connection.

Hijackthis is also a good option, it may point to an automatic dialer and switch on.

[robert006]

Hello everybody,
Thanks a lot for your response to my query.
on checking the setting in the bios, noticed that the wake on lan was enabled. it is disabled now so hope the computer will not turn on again without my help.
Thanks all.
no cat.;)

[robert006]

After disabling the lan in bios I turned the computer off without switching off at the mains. computer turned on by itself.
recently I bought a ethernet card and connected the broadband modem to it, I am not sure if the card is the culprit so I am going to leave the usb connection on and see if the same thing happens, if it does then I will try Hijack this.
I will post the result soon.
Thanks.

[deddard]

Have you checked your power settings?
go through control panel til you find the controls for power settings, and make sure that the 'when I press the power button' (under Advanced tab) the 'switch my computer off' selection is highlighted - I'm just wondering if you have the advanced power management set to 'sleep' or hibernate, and then some task automatically wakes it up.

Another thought is to look in your log - control panel>administractive tools>events viewer, and see if there is any pattern to what is starting that you don't recognise. You should look at all three main categories - applications, security and system in case you can find anything untoward.

[korky45]

I am thinking along the lines of deddard.

As I'm sure you already know, modern PSUs don't actually completely switch off when you close them down from the start menu - they react to a signal from the Operating System to shutdown, but retain a 5v suppy at the on button.

This is necessary so that the button will work next time you want to switch on the PC.

It is also the means of enabling an auto switch-on signal for any scheduled tasking operations that are setup. Wakeups as they are sometimes called.

I would follow deddards advice. Go through the three categories as laid out and keep in mind that even if Power Management is set to shutdown - its still possible to activate the on button.

Thanks:)

[robert006]

Hello to all and thanks for your suggestions.
No Psu,
No changes have been made for the power setting,
After reverting back to USB everything was normal except next morning broadband modem would not light up, after checking, it was found that the power adaptor has failed so I need a new adaptor for the modem, right now I am using the adaptor from the scanner.
I don't intend to keep the modem running too long as there is a voltage difference.
Modem==10volts---1.2 amps
scanner===12 volts---1.25amps. so I am not sure if this voltage is safe to use on the modem.
Any comments are wellcome regarding the voltage to prevent damage to the modem.
Thanks once again for all your helpful suggestions.
Robert006.

[Whyzman]

I'm wondering if the failing transformer was acting like a switch and essentially turning the modem on and off...

This on and off was perhaps being interpreted as a signal to power up...kind of a Wake On Lan type of thing...

Just shooting from the hip here...

[korky45]

Glad you have pinned down the culprit. I think Whyzman is probably right

This on and off was perhaps being interpreted as a signal to power up...kind of a Wake On Lan type of thing...

As regards the scanner adapter, there is no big difference in amperage so you should be OK. As you know the voltage provides the "push" and the amperage the "punch".

However, I would seek a replacement part ASAP. It would be nice if there was an in-line fuse, before the modem, just for comfort while you sort out a permanent solution. It's what I would do but I would not recommend it to others.




Thanks :)

[robert006]

After having visited all the electrical shops, failed to find the adaptor-10volts-1.2amps. None of the stores or shops had one.
Finally realised adaptor and b/band modem is NTL's property so I rang them and they were very obliging and had a new adaptor delivered to me the next day by the engineer. all is well.
Reconnected the modem back to the NIC and turned off the computer with the supply on to all peripherals. Lo and behold the mystery is solved, the computer turned itself on after some time so it has got to be the NIC, how and why, answer I have none.
john, details of the NIC==DAVICOM 9102/A PCI FAST ETHERNET.
bought from e-bay for £2.50.p&p £2.00.
Thanks everybody for taking the time to be helpful,appreciated very much.
robert006.