Laptop turns itself on - how to stop?

[BobMCT]

Wierd yes, but it does happen and I cannot figure out a way to stop it. That's why I'm asking for help.

Laptop is a new HP 4530us running WinXPsp1. As far as I can tell there is NO wake-on-lan in the bios settings. To shutdown I select "turn off compuer" and on the next screen I click on "Turn Off Computer" and it does its normal things and ultimately the screen goes black and ALL the leds go off. Then and only then do I close the lid.

If I leave the lid open for a time AFTER it has been shutdown, at a seemingly random interval it will automatically power itself up and boot.

Any thoughts or ideas (other than a hammer)?

Thanks,

Bob

 

[bcastner]

Review the settings in Control Panel, Power options.
I agree it is weird behavior. Look carefully at any power options in the BIOS. WOL is only one possible wakeup event; many BIOS allow wake on event for anything that changes on the USB hubs.

Check the network adapter configuration settings as well. Particularly if you have a wireless connection. This is likely were the true WOL settings will be found.

 

[Mattb7]

Would WOL actually turn on a PC that has been completely powered off?

 

[bcastner]

Mattb7,

It most certainly can if setup properly.
The next time you turn off your computer, watch and see if the lan adapter does not still have lights on. (If it has them) If it does, a WOL is perfectly possible. Some WOL can just send an interrupt through the PCI buss slot, others require a cable to the motherboard. All require BIOS support, and many require some configuration in the network adapter settings.

In any case it is perfectly possible. Even some wireless adapters offer this feature.

Why would you need this?

Most people do not, but two legitimate uses I have seen for this facility (there are likely others):
. To waken a principle machine that provides ICS or proxy routing to other machines;
. To waken a computer used for off-hour backup of the network.

 

[Mattb7]

First of all, thanks for the info. Secondly, I have never cared to look into WOL because I couldnt see why you would use it, however I love the back up idea. Thanks- M