RE: timed pc power up and down

["Steve Morgan" <smorgo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: seniorsimon [mailto:simon.ryley@xxxxxxx]
> Sent: 16 September 2004 10:19
> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subject: [ukha_d] timed pc power up and down
>
>
> Hello all,
>
> Is there a way to configure a pc to either power off,
> hibernate or standby at certain times, then turn itself back
> on at other times.
> Obviously I could just use a time switch on the psu, but I
> need the pc to shut down first rather than just kill the power.
>
> The idea is I don't want to leave my media pc running all the
> time, cos its not used at night or in the day, and its in the
> loft, so switching it on manually is a bit of a pain! I do
> need an override function, so I can turn it on outside normal
> running hours if necessary.

I did something similar to do a regular reboot while I was on holiday.

I use Task Scheduler to run a small executable that I wrote (it's some .NET
C# code). Then, I just used a standard time switch to control the power.

So,

Shutdown program runs at (say, 01:50)
Timer switches off at 02:00
Timer switches on at 02:15

It requires support to boot on restoration of power, but I suspect most do
these days.

The advantage with doing it this way is that the PC gets the chance to shut
down, but if it doesn't manage it because something's hung, it'll get
powered off anyway.

I found it completely reliable. Use an electronic timeswitch, though. If
you
use a mechanical one and have power cuts, the timer will get out of sync
with the shutdown.

--
Steve