computer turning itself?

Question

my custom built pc turns itself on at midnight. a few weeks ago i got woke up by my ordinarly booting desktop pc i switched it off at the mains and all was well until i forgot to unplug it and it did the same again i have checked the bios, power settings, scheduled tasks, done a scan with a boot and the conventional way and yet the thing still turns itself on
it's spec is
gigbyte m'board
pentium 4 3GHZ
512mb RAM 64mb used by shared graphics
and i connect to the web via a netgear usb adapter 'elp plz

Answer 1

You say you checked the bios, but just to be sure, make sure anything like "allow ___ to wake computer" is off - it can get set so that any mouse activity will turn it on.

Answer 2

1. Check that Settings/Power Options/Hibernate/Enable Hibernation isn't checked. So that Windows has hibernated and not shut down. In advanced, customise the buttons so when you press power you shut down. Power schemes - I make Always Off, where everything is never. Otherwise it does it whilst watching a film etc...
2. Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Scheduled Tasks - check nothing is awakening the PC when hibernating. Also Microsoft Autoupdates may be set on a timer. See right-click on My Computer/Properties/Automatic Updates. Mine is set to download automatically but ask me if I want to install. Otherwise it does it just before going to work or at 3am etc...
3. In the BIOS see if you have an option called Wake by keyboard or mouse. Turn this off. If you accidentally press the mouse button (or sometimes move it) it may awaken and boot the PC. So it could get knocked and turn the PC on.
4. Some PCs have a switch in the power supply itself. If you get a PC that semi-shutsdown, use that. It will stop the PC mains power reaching the PC when it is off. Most Power supplies don't seem to have a switch these days so I invented point 6.
5. Go to Wilkinson. They have these 6amp switches and I've put one in the power cable of my monitor, so I can turn it off when downloading properly. This isn't big enough for the main box, see method below, but are great for switching off devices on say an AC power supply like speakers etc.
I wired up a set of speakers previously monitor attached to a 12v AC Adapter from Argos with one of these. Works fine and I can turn them on and off. You must wire EARTH up only if it is present in the power cord. Ie the above won't have one because only got + and - as using it for switching purposes, not mains.
6. Wilkinson's also do a big square switch 13amp with fuse and a box behind it. I cut the switch top left corner off (because they cannot design two push out bits into the backing (on the side of), just the one for out, the in is suppose to come through the back) and then I have a wired in extention lead that can be turned on and off without unplugging. In fact I have two so I can turn off fully PC1 desk or PC2 desk independently. It won't wake up from that.

It should protect from spikes too because the cables are now not plugged in. Disconnected from the mains when not in use. It's a great idea and cheap to do. I don't like leaving my devices in a standby state. For starters, you are lying in bed waiting to sleep and there are all these little red lights. I like it dark.

Brown is LIVE/FUSE.
Blue is NEUTRAL.
Green/Yellow is EARTH.

Answer 3

Check your bios settings, some have a programmed on and off time.

I used to have my work PC set to boot 10 Min's before I arrived at work.

We had an issue similar to this where a batch of computers switched themselves on at midnight, I am afraid I don't recall how the problem was solved, but you are not alone.

Answer 4

As all have said above it will be quite a few issues. despite the indisputable fact that, from the spec of your pc you've an outstanding variety of warm temperature being generated, so your followers received't be adequate. I had an same situation with new RAM and different stuff on a pc that ran effective for 2 years as well. It did the exact same as you for mnths and drove me mad, yet i'm no longer saying yours it an same situation. What I did grow to be take off the area panel, checked each little thing as recommended above, then stuck a large table fan proper next to it to blow chilly air in it, formerly and at the same time as it grow to be operating. This stopped it taking position, untill I took it away, then I were given the BIOS click (quietly) to inform me it grow to be getting warm again. I placed it again and it grow to be effective. I scanned the completed component at the same time as booted, and the different 2 drives I genuinely have, as all of them generate warmth, then i purchased a twin fan for £7 to in good structure interior to atone for all of it. It hasn't ever faulted because that! it truly is worth a attempt as you've further some bits that are literally not time-honored to the motherboard. desire this helps.

Answer 5

The Mole seems to have coverd all the possibilities, but I would also make sure "Wake on LAN" and "Boot on LAN" are deactivated in the BIOS as well. Just to be on the paranoid side.

Answer 6

It sounds like your computer is going into Hybernation Mode when you shut it down, that would allow a program to awaken the computer after you think it's shut down. Search Help in your start menu on Hybernation, and it will tell you how to correct the problem.

Answer 7

Check what processes are actually running by using Task Manager, that will tell all you need to know.

Answer 8

it might be the on/off button on the front of the computer. After you turn it off, go to the back of the computer and there will be another power switch there, flick it off and it should not come back on.

Answer 9

could be a Trojan virus. that is being used by a hacker. run a virus checker. pronto. to make user it hasn't been hijacked.

Answer 10

Sounds like a ghost.........