Computer turning on of its own accord

Andy90

Andy90

Andy90

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Been using Windows 10 for a few weeks now. No major problems up until a few days ago.

This is what happens, I have a multi-plug power strip which plugs into the power socket on the wall. The strip powers the Desktop PC and a Netgear DGN4000 ASDL Modem Router.

The Router is linked to the PC via an Ethernet cable, other devices such as Mobile phones etc. connect wirelessly when required.

Up until three days ago, I could flick the wall socket switch to on and the router would go through its boot up sequence until it synchronised with the ASDL connection. PC would remain off until I pressed the power switch on the front of the case.

Now when I do the same thing, the Router goes through the boot sequence and almost immediately the PC starts and boots up.

I've unplugged everything to make sure all the cables (router, mouse, keyboard, speakers etc.) are all connected properly. Still does the above.

I've disconnected the Ethernet cable from the PC and then switched on the power at the wall, Router boots up, PC remains off - so it appears that the router is sending some sort of signal to the PC to wake it? Thing is I've not altered any settings on the PC or the Router so it seems a bit odd. Could it be related to a Windows 10 patch? Driver upgrade?

Any suggestions as to how to sort this out?
 
Check the BIOS settings and see if there's a wake on LAN setting that's probably been enabled.

Also, you shouldn't turn off the ADSL router. Every time you turn it off your ISP will think the connection has been cut and will lower your speed and raise the latency in order to make it "stable". You should always leave it on for the best possible internet speed. A router/modem hardly uses any power anyway.
 
There's also a setting in some BIOSes to tell your computer what to do in the event of AC power being lost and then reconnected.

Options are usually Stay OFF, Turn ON, or return to same state as when power was lost.
 
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Orcvader said:
Check the BIOS settings and see if there's a wake on LAN setting that's probably been enabled.

Also, you shouldn't turn off the ADSL router. Every time you turn it off your ISP will think the connection has been cut and will lower your speed and raise the latency in order to make it "stable". You should always leave it on for the best possible internet speed. A router/modem hardly uses any power anyway.
Click to expand...

This, on point to be fair. I would just leave it on, if you are having issues, have it up with you ISP. :)
 
Checked BIOS as per asim18 suggestion.

Restore on AC Power loss is set to POWER OFF (the other options are POWER ON and LAST STATE).

There are other options called

Power on by RTC Alarm
Power on by PCI Devices
Power on by PCIE Devices
Power on by PS/2 Keyboard

All of the above are set to disabled.

Will check the Router Settings

Cannot see anything under BIOS settings that says WAKE ON LAN
 
Dev Management, go to network adapter properties.

Power Management tab.

Either uncheck "allow this device to wake computer" or check "Only allow a magic packet to wake". It's unlikely you'll ever send a magic packet without knowing.
 
Unchecked "allow this device to wake computer" or check "Only allow a magic packet to wake".

Shut down the machine. Turned everything off at the wall, turned the power back on, ASDL modem fired up and so did the desktop! Very odd.
 
Orcvader said:
....
Also, you shouldn't turn off the ADSL router. Every time you turn it off your ISP will think the connection has been cut and will lower your speed and raise the latency in order to make it "stable". ...
Click to expand...

Depends on what sort of connection you have. For example: are you running under something like BT's dynamic line management (IE. a Rate Adaptive system) etc. etc.

For example... I have a partial LLU broadband connection with Xilo/Uno broadband (using TalkTalk kit at the exchange) ADSL2+ with a static/fixed SNR margin target (currently 6dB).

So regardless of how many times I switch the router on/off, I will get the fastest sync that's possible for that time of day, obviously various because of factors like ... cables warmer / colder, more interference at certain times of day/night etc.
 
Finally sorted this out. Turns out that the computer was being woken by the keyboard.

Bit of trial and error turning off "allow this device to wake the computer' on my mouse, both network adapters and the keyboard, revealed that the keyboard was the culprit.

It is an old wired PS/2 Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard, which for some reason has been detected within Device management as a Lenovo Thinkpad PS/2 keyboard.

Problem solved but odd how when I installed Windows 10 initially that this problem didn't occur.

Anyway, think its time to upgrade my keyboard - and I suppose that opens up a whole new kettle of fish, mechanical buttons, scrabble buttons etc. !

Many thanks however to those that pushed me towards the 'allow the device to wake the computer' settings, also learnt that there are commands you can type in the CMD Window such as

powercfg -devicequery wake_armed (to show what devices can wake the machine)

and

powercfg -lastwake (which shows what last woke the machine)
 
Thanks very much Andy90 for posting your problem & the solution

Even without Win10 I've had the same strange issue, albeit I've not bothered to chase a solution :o

After checking the mouse & keyboard properties I like you have found the keyboard & mouse are enabled to wake up the PC. :D

Cheers
 
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