[lotuseclat79]

Since I run a dialup 56k connection, this tip applies only to such a setup, and disregards network wakeups, cable/dsl modem configurations, etc.

To be strictly correct there is a catch that hinges on how you have your PC connected and how you shutdown, but here's why I'm posting this:
About a year ago, someone complained about actually "having" to press the power button on the front of the PC for WinXP after having upgraded from Win98X and gotten a new case. With Win98x it was possible to bootup without pressing the power button on the PC with the proper setup - and with WinXP, it seems it is not possible. Here's how I do it.

Plugged into the wall outlet, I have a surge protector plug-in strip with a power-on light indicator. Into that I have plugged in power adapters, and a 1500 joule ISOBar Touch Master Plus surge protection unit that sits below my monitor. Into the ISOBar unit, I have the all of my devices plugged in. For power to get to the computer, there are two hardware conditions (assuming power to the outlet):
1) the On switch to the power strip shows the light that indicates it is on
2) the ISOBar unit Master switch is on and all device lights are on, i.e. showing green light indicators.

Normally, if you do a normal shutdown, you will have to press the power button at the front of the PC case, but depending on how you shutdown, you may not have to - here's how:
When shutting down, simply restart (reboot) and when the blue screen indicating the system is now powered down (DPMS Off Mode) at least for a split second before it starts to reboot, flip the power surge strip On/Off switch to Off. Then when you subsequently flip the power surge strip On/Off switch to On - e.g. the following morning, the pending action of restarting which was interrupted by turning the switch Off will continue with the restart (reboot) - and you will effectively have avoided pressing the case's power button to boot up.

BTW, if you don't have a similar power surge protection unit, you would be well advised to invest in one if you value your computer. The week before Christmas, my house was hit by a power surge that snap, crackled, and popped all of my electronic equipement that was not surge protected - my bad. It was not a normal power surge, as it only affected my house, and was due to arcing in the meter box caused by water seepage and a frayed cable from the power delivery point from the Electric company to my meter box - meaning it was entirely the home owner's responsibility. Luckily home owners insurance covered most of the loss - less decductible. Do this one thing and if you are ever hit by a power surge you will be glad you did, and your computer will be safe.

-- Tom

[cwwozniak]

Found a much easier solution for the two PC's we have connected to individual UPS units (with built-in surge suppressors). The BIOS settings for both include a power setting for what happens when external AC power is removed and re-applied. Choices are

1) Boot up

2) Go to same on/off condition when power was removed

3) Stay off until power button is pressed on the front of the case

Choice #1 lets us do a normal Windows power down cycle at the end of the day and then turn off the UPS. The computer automatically starts to boot up as soon as the UPS is turned on the next time. The monitor and speakers are also plugged into the UPS output.

[lotuseclat79]

Hi cwwozniak,

There are differences:
1) Using UPSs in such a way is a feature, whereas the technique I use is a trick and not a feature.
2) Using UPSs costs more $ than the technique I use.

Otherwise, they produce the same result.

-- Tom

[JohnWill]

Of course, most modern BIOS versions will allow you a variety of ways to power on. You can power on with a keypress, mouse movement, etc.