Keeping a computer on ALL the time

[rocknrollstar]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has a way to keep a computer on all the time?

 

One of our machines has a usb hard drive attached to it that we keep a backup of important data (not the only backup we have!). But it's a network share so the computer attached to it needs to be on all the time. It's not a NAS Drive (wanted NTFS).

 

Is there anyway to make sure a computer stays on? I've changed the power settings in XP to 'always on' and made it so it does nothing when the power button is pressed, but the user can still do start->shutdown.

 

2 possible ways are to prevent the computer shutting down, or having a way of constantly checking that it is on (and turning it on if it isn't), neither of which I know how to do!

 

Thanks

[JohnMason]

As a non tech guy, I might just have the answer!

 

Unplug the keyboard and mouse. Take them away. Locek them up somewhere.

 

 

Or does it have to be used?

 

 

Hi, just wondering if anyone has a way to keep a computer on all the time?

 

One of our machines has a usb hard drive attached to it that we keep a backup of important data (not the only backup we have!). But it's a network share so the computer attached to it needs to be on all the time. It's not a NAS Drive (wanted NTFS).

 

Is there anyway to make sure a computer stays on? I've changed the power settings in XP to 'always on' and made it so it does nothing when the power button is pressed, but the user can still do start->shutdown.

 

2 possible ways are to prevent the computer shutting down, or having a way of constantly checking that it is on (and turning it on if it isn't), neither of which I know how to do!

 

Thanks

[leco]

I seem to recall a setting somewhere, sorry can't for the life of me remember where it is, that restarts automatically on any shutdown. I know that my server, for instance, will restart after a power outage, but that may just be for servers.

[dhicks]

the user can still do start->shutdown.

 

I know you can remove the "Logoff" button from the Start menu with a registry setting, it's a pretty good bet there's a corresponding setting for the "Shutdown" button. Sorry, don't have the details immediately to hand, but I'm sure Googling for something like "registry setting remove shutdown" will get you an answer.

 

--

David Hicks

[bizzel]

I seem to recall a setting somewhere, sorry can't for the life of me remember where it is, that restarts automatically on any shutdown. I know that my server, for instance, will restart after a power outage, but that may just be for servers.

 

Some Dells can have this set in the BIOS.

[rocknrollstar]

Great, thanks for your suggestions. I think the regirsty setting or group policy options might be the way forward.

 

However, I do like the idea of a seperate machine being able to turn a computer on if it does turn off!

 

I'll post back on any success on Monday.

 

Thanks.

[maniac]

There is a seperate setting for the shutdown button, all the students in my last school had this disabled so they couldn't shut down the workstations in the ICT suites so they remained on for the next group using the room.

 

Don't ask me where it is thou, it's somewhere in group policy.

 

Mike

[dhicks]

just wondering if anyone has a way to keep a computer on all the time?

 

ITAPPMONROBOT - The Daily WTF

 

--

David Hicks

[Sirbendy]

Switch the BIOS to powerup at AC on, set up an autologin if needed for XP, set it for Halt on no errors, or if it MUST have a KB in to boot, strip a dead KB of it's lead and PCB (about the size of a matchbox) and use that, taped up and inside the case.

 

Then put it in a vented cupboard that sits over the mains socket, and plug it up.

 

For "if it does turn off" situations, set the "wake on alarm" in the BIOS for whatever time you'd like it to try. That'd bring it back up at that time if it was powered off.

 

I'll be recycling an old retired PC over the summer with a stack of old hard disks and turning it into a NAS appliance for the IT Tech software...That'll be on from 8-5 on a timer.

[tech-man]

Buy a UPS and a backup power generator......!

[mattx]

Turn it into a NAS box:

 

FreeNAS: The Free NAS Server - Home

 

Once configured you can do away with the screen / keyboard / mouse

[Jackd]

If you go into the local security policy for the computer in the user rights assingments theres a option called "Shutdown the system" just remove all the users from there and only put in administrator or your user and it will remove the shutdown and restart from the shutdown box.

 

You could also go in security options and set "Shutdown: Allow system to be shutdown without having to logon" to disabled and that would prevent it from being shutdown from the logon screen

 

Jack

[SYNACK]

You couls also enable Wake-on-LAN in the BIOS if the machine is new enough and schedule a server to send WOL packets every 5 minutes. If the machine is switched off this will reboot it, if not it uses practically no resources and won't mess with anything.

[rocknrollstar]

I think that's the easiest solution!

 

I've also thought about writing a small program that allows for multiple ips to check that those computers are on, and sends an WOL command if not. I'll post it here when I'm happy with it.

 

Thanks to everyone for their help:)