Can I start a computer remotely?

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 409
    Windows 10 home Version 22H2 (OS Build 19045) and Windows 11 on laptop
       #1

    Can I start a computer remotely?


    I have retired an old computer and placed it inside my home theater system. I have it networked, have installed Ethernet and use the TV as a monitor. Problem is that the TV is usually used by family in the evenings when I want to use it on the network. I suppose that I could turn the computer on and off blindly (without the monitor) but then would get the message " your computer was not shut down properly...." I have been leaving it on for days but it builds up quite a bit of heat in the enclosed space and I suspect that it is using quite a bit of unnecessary energy.

    is there a way for me to put the computer to sleep and wake it from the remote, main, computer?
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 2,662
    W10 Pro (desktop), W11 (laptop), W11Pro (tablet)
       #2

    Depending on how old that computer is, you may be able to use Wake on LAN. See this: http://www.howtogeek.com/70374/how-t...o-i-enable-it/
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 409
    Windows 10 home Version 22H2 (OS Build 19045) and Windows 11 on laptop
    Thread Starter
       #3

    The computer that I want to waken is about 10 years old. The BIOS doesn't have a "Wake on LAN" but does have an option "Remote Wakeup" Is that the same thing?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Can I start a computer remotely?-dsc_9005.jpg  
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 30
    Windows 10 Education
       #4

    From Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake-on-LAN

    "Equivalent terms include wake on WAN, remote wake-up, power on by LAN, power up by LAN, resume by LAN, resume on LAN and wake up on LAN".

      My Computer


  5. Posts : 409
    Windows 10 home Version 22H2 (OS Build 19045) and Windows 11 on laptop
    Thread Starter
       #5

    So apparently my downstairs computer is available. Is there a good tutorial on how to configure it for WOL? Following the URL cited by strollin from howtogeek I was looking for the advanced option "Wake On Magic Packet" to enable. I don't have that option. But I do have a plethora of others as shown in the screen captures.

    What should I enable and/or how do I proceed?

    Thanks

    Can I start a computer remotely?-wol.jpg
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #6

    A few things come to mind.....

    1. In order for WOL to work, there must be an active link between the router and the network card. So, watch the link light on the router for the computer when the computer goes to sleep or powers off. If the link light goes out, WOL won't work.

    2. In order to get WOL to work on my desktop computer with Windows 10 from a shutdown state, I had to revert back to the manufacturer's driver for my ethernet controller. This added an option to the advanced properties list for "Shutdown WOL" or something like that. Prior to rolling back to the manufacturer's driver, I did have WOL settings, but they would only work in standby and not from shutdown.

    3. Might consider an updated add-on network card. Do you have a gigabit router? An updated add-on network card would also up your network speed to gigabit.

    Also, what is the make/model of the computer and/or motherboard? WOL is just as much a function of the motherboard as it is the network controller.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 409
    Windows 10 home Version 22H2 (OS Build 19045) and Windows 11 on laptop
    Thread Starter
       #7

    The computer that I'm trying to start remotely is a Dell Inspiron that I bought in 2008 and upgraded to windows 7 professional 64 bit.

    Yes, my Netgear WNDR3700 is a Gigabit router and it does maintain contact with the remote computer even when the computer is off. The light on the router showing a live connection only goes off if the cable is disconnected or the computer is unplugged. Also the http://www.depicus.com/wake-on-lan/wake-on-lan-gui.aspx app referenced in the howtogeek URL doesn't work for me. I haven't looked into rolling back to the manufacturer's driver.

    So I'm still working on this.

    Any other suggestions?
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 13,896
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #8

    lbeck said:
    The computer that I'm trying to start remotely is a Dell Inspiron that I bought in 2008 and upgraded to windows 7 professional 64 bit.

    Yes, my Netgear WNDR3700 is a Gigabit router and it does maintain contact with the remote computer even when the computer is off. The light on the router showing a live connection only goes off if the cable is disconnected or the computer is unplugged. Also the http://www.depicus.com/wake-on-lan/wake-on-lan-gui.aspx app referenced in the howtogeek URL doesn't work for me. I haven't looked into rolling back to the manufacturer's driver.

    So I'm still working on this.

    Any other suggestions?
    Back in about 1996 to 2000 when I worked in a local computer shop we used an APC power unit to remotely reboot one of several computers, something like this:
    APC Switched Rack PDU Power Control Unit - AP7922 - Rack Mount Surge Suppressors - CDW.com

    Basically we set the BIOS to avoid halting on errors such as the keyboard, set the BIOS to not have a keyboard, etc. Then we used the Internet and a particular IP address to access it. A little pricey now but not too bad for a business.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #9

    lbeck said:
    I haven't looked into rolling back to the manufacturer's driver.
    So I'm still working on this.

    Any other suggestions?
    You mean other than looking into rolling back to the manufacturer's driver? That would be my first suggestion.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7
    Windows 10
       #10

    Hello,
    Here is an article How to Configure Wake-on-LAN in Windows 10
    I followed all steps written there and now my wake-on-lan is working.
    Hope it will help you too.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:24.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums