Full Version: Computer comes on
From: Rose (RSLIEPKA) [#1]
16 Apr 2006
To: ALL
Help! This is making me crazy. I have an E-Machine Windows 98. About 3 months ago it started coming on in the middle of the night. It was when it was time to update McAfee. I did the update and that didn't cure it. I had my computer guy work on it, and work on it, AND work on it! The battery was low so we changed that too. He even changed the computer so when I turn it off I have to physically push the button like the old days. When I get up in the morning, I go past the room and there is the hard drivewith the lights flashing. In the past, sometimes when I tried to shut it down, it wouldn't shut down, it just kept flashing and I finally had to un-plug it. At this point I would just toss it and switch to a new Dell with XP but I just finally got DSL after 2 months of a pain in the neck with the local phone company and you don't even want to know what it cost to have the computer guy put it in for me because he had to keep coming back. (Verizon kept telling me I was connected and of course I wasn't)
I have all of the latest Windows updates and McAfee updates. Any ideas what could be doing this? I mainly use this computer for e-mail in the mornings at home.
From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#2]
16 Apr 2006
To: Rose (RSLIEPKA) [#1] 16 Apr 2006
I'm guessing the computer may be going into some other mode Standby, Sleep, Power Save, but isn't really off. Something is getting a signal or some running timer is reactivating it. (I know probably not much help.)
With your DSL I hope you're using a router between he modem and computer. (Increases security and eliminates some software from the computer.) I've had good experiences with LinkSys, bad experiences with DLink.
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#3]
16 Apr 2006
To: Rose (RSLIEPKA) [#1] 16 Apr 2006
I don't know if this will help, but just a thought...
Do you have a built in ethernet port that is used for the DSL? If so, go into your BIOS (as the computer powers up it should say something like Hit DEL for setup).
Then look for the page that defines the Ethernet/LAN port. Look for a setting called "Wake up on LAN". If you find it, disable it.
Do you have a firewall? If you have a DSL modem you really should have some form of firewall to prevent people accessing your computer from the network.
EDIT: the router Ken mentions often has a firewall built in, and is a good thing to have.
EDITED: 16 Apr 2006 by DAVERJ
From: Semi-Accurate Engraver (LONEHAWK) [#4]
19 May 2006
To: Rose (RSLIEPKA) [#1] 19 May 2006
I would just add that after you do that, do a complete virus scan. Who knows, you might have a trojan or some sort of malware. Nowadays, virus' are not made to hurt your machine, it's all about money now; so they are made more to try and hide themselves and "use" your machine as a gateway etc when you're not using it. Or just look around your machine for info they can exploit somehow.
Also, you can do a double check with your virus scan by going here:
http://www.trendmicro.com/en/home/us/home.htm
You can do a free virus scan using thier site. Trend Micro is pretty cool and reliable and is a good double check as not all virus scan programs are the same. Different ones will be better at catching certain virus' than others.
Hope that helps.
From: Rose (RSLIEPKA) [#5]
19 May 2006
To: Semi-Accurate Engraver (LONEHAWK) [#4] 20 May 2006
From: Semi-Accurate Engraver (LONEHAWK) [#6]
20 May 2006
To: Rose (RSLIEPKA) [#5] 21 May 2006
I'm glad you found the problem.
I would continue to "monitor" the situation just in case. >.< :P
From: UncleSteve [#7]
20 May 2006
To: Rose (RSLIEPKA) [#5] 21 May 2006
Check your settings in your bios and see what is selected.
There are usually options to turn on by network activity, mouse, keyboard, etc.
I don't think it is posessed... If it were, your printer would be sending you messages to read when you woke up.... (devil)