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Smallhacker
Posts: 1222/2273 |
It happened again this morning. According to the computer clock, it was either at 6:50 or 6:51 (am). I was half-sleeping in my bed and the rest of the family were downstairs, eating breakfast. |
HyperLamer
Posts: 2857/8210 |
Originally posted by Smallhacker
I doubt that, since it mostly happens during the night
See if you can find out what could be causing such a surge then, there's not much that would be turning on/off at night. A fridge would be the most likely culprit (they use a lot of energy, and like anything with a motor, the power draw is significantly bigger when they first start up), also check out heaters and such.
When you say it doesn't happen with normal shutdown, I wonder if this could be a bug in the hibernate code? Perhaps it isn't telling some device to shut off properly, so it ends up turning the computer back on.
Although if it is a ghost, I wonder if it's the same one who keeps turning my alarm clock off? Twice now I've woke up to find it shut off with no memory of doing so, and I KNOW it was on before. (Couldn't be a defective clock, the switch has to actually slide over.)  |
Smallhacker
Posts: 1217/2273 |
Originally posted by Snika
Do you like have a time set for it to hibernate or something?
No... |
Snika
Posts: 33/916 |
Yeah, I thought it exited at mouse movement to, but I guess thats 'Sleeping.' Do you like have a time set for it to hibernate or something?
=P Snika |
Smallhacker
Posts: 1207/2273 |
1) If the BIOS supports it, some computers can be set to turn on at a specific time. Even if you haven't set this option, it's possible that the program that does it (part of the BIOS) is buggy.
Not impossible.
2) Many devices such as modems and network cards can be configured to automatically turn the computer on when they detect incoming traffic or a phone call (if your modem is connected to the phone line). Make sure these options are turned off in the Device Manager. (To get there, press the Windows key and Pause, or go to System in the control panel.)
It never started up itself when I shut it down normally.
3) A more obvious possibility is a faulty power supply or switch, or a problem with something that can turn the computer on such as mentioned above.
That sounds possible.
4) Some computers are also set up by default to turn on after a power failure. If the power supply is too weak, or there's a problem with the electrical system in the house, the power could drop low enough at certain times to trigger this.
I doubt that, since it mostly happens during the night
How old is your computer? Older computers generally have power supplies that can't be controlled by software. (You'll notice that you need to shut it off manually after clicking Shut Down; a newer power supply will shut itself off.) If by chance you have an older power supply such as this, you can rule out most of these possibilities, except for 3 and possibly (but not likely) 4. Most relatively-new computers have newer power supplies that do have this feature, though.
Let's see... It's not even a year old... I think that I bought it this spring. And yes, it shuts down itself (no need to press the power button). |
HyperLamer
Posts: 2809/8210 |
For those who don't understand, Hibernate mode cuts the power completely just like a normal shutdown, but dumps the memory to the hard drive first, just like making a save state.
Anyway, it's not possible for such a device to actually power the computer, but you're quite close.  There's a few reasons a computer could turn itself on:
1) If the BIOS supports it, some computers can be set to turn on at a specific time. Even if you haven't set this option, it's possible that the program that does it (part of the BIOS) is buggy.
2) Many devices such as modems and network cards can be configured to automatically turn the computer on when they detect incoming traffic or a phone call (if your modem is connected to the phone line). Make sure these options are turned off in the Device Manager. (To get there, press the Windows key and Pause, or go to System in the control panel.)
3) A more obvious possibility is a faulty power supply or switch, or a problem with something that can turn the computer on such as mentioned above.
4) Some computers are also set up by default to turn on after a power failure. If the power supply is too weak, or there's a problem with the electrical system in the house, the power could drop low enough at certain times to trigger this.
How old is your computer? Older computers generally have power supplies that can't be controlled by software. (You'll notice that you need to shut it off manually after clicking Shut Down; a newer power supply will shut itself off.) If by chance you have an older power supply such as this, you can rule out most of these possibilities, except for 3 and possibly (but not likely) 4. Most relatively-new computers have newer power supplies that do have this feature, though. |
Smallhacker
Posts: 1201/2273 |
Oops. I missed a part in Xkeeper's post. No. It has never happened when I've turned off the computer normally.
Also, the time theory failed. According to my brother, it once started up itself during the morning, instead of during the night.
Edit: By the way... Is it possible that something connected to the computer like a router or a printer that uses another power source somehow leaks electricity into the computer, which makes it start up? |
FreeDOS
Posts: 975/1657 |
The difference isn't significant to the power supply. Hibernate saves all RAM into a file then shuts off power. There's just an additional step before turning off the power. |
BMF98567
Posts: 561/1261 |
It *might* be a power supply issue. When mine was going bad, whenever I shut down Windows, the computer would shut off and then turn itself back on a split second later (though the screen would remain blank). I had to use the actual power button to turn it off after that.
I don't know how much control the power supply has over hibernate mode, though...there's a huge difference between "hibernate" and "shut down." It could be a motherboard issue... |
Smallhacker
Posts: 1199/2273 |
It's possible... I never thought of checking the clock... I'll try later. |
Xkeeper
Posts: -2819/-863 |
It may be that you tend to leave the computer at a certain time (er, put it in hibernate) and it's set to automatically turn on at a certain time (Mine used to do that; I'd just turn it off and at 12:00 AM every day it'd turn itself on again)
Does it do the same thing if you shut it down? |
Smallhacker
Posts: 1198/2273 |
Originally posted by FreeDOS
Hibernate turns off power to the PC.
...which is exactly why this is so strange. Maybe I've got a super sensitive on button that reacts on every single vibration from the floor?
.
..
...
....nah... |
FreeDOS
Posts: 969/1657 |
Hibernate turns off power to the PC. No mouse movement will turn it on whatsoever. |
DarkSlaya
Posts: 3151/4249 |
Yes, we're talking of the same thing. Dunno what is doing it, though. It's actually been awhile since I saw mine hibernate. |
Smallhacker
Posts: 1196/2273 |
No it doesn't... (I tried)
I hope that we're talking about the same thing. It's the thing where the entire RAM is saved to the HD and the computer is shut down. Then, when you turn on the computer, it moves everything back to the RAM and you return to the same position as you where in when you turned it off.
Edit: By the way... I'm using XP in case anybody's asking. |
DarkSlaya
Posts: 3150/4249 |
Normaly, it gets out of that mode on mouse contact or when it moves. Maybe that when you walk near it, it makes the mouse move? |
Smallhacker
Posts: 1195/2273 |
This is a bit scary. I usually put my computer in hibernate mode (I think that's what it's called) instead of turning it off. Anyway... Mostly, it's ok, but sometimes, the computer starts up itself. As far as I know, it has only happened a few times when somebody walks past the computer (like when my brother or I are visiting the bathroom during the night). Once, it even turned on a few seconds after I turned it off and started walking towards my room.
Have this ever happened to anybody else? Can anyone give me a reasonable explanation of why it might happen? |
