Power Failure Vacation Blues

[mike1961]

Hello - this has happened more than once. I go away on vacation and at some point there is a power failure. After a few minutes or an hour or so, power is restored but I have to manually press a button on my server to turn the computer back on. I would like the computer to go on automatically. Isn't there a bios setting or something somewhere to tell the computer to start when there is power (and not have to press the button)? I realize I could buy a UPS but I'm just wondering if there is a setting somewhere and if so, where is it?

Thanks,
Mike

[SprDtyF350]

Originally Posted by mike1961

Hello - this has happened more than once. I go away on vacation and at some point there is a power failure. After a few minutes or an hour or so, power is restored but I have to manually press a button on my server to turn the computer back on. I would like the computer to go on automatically. Isn't there a bios setting or something somewhere to tell the computer to start when there is power (and not have to press the button)? I realize I could buy a UPS but I'm just wondering if there is a setting somewhere and if so, where is it?

Thanks,
Mike

It's usually in the Bios under your power savings menu. Something like what to do after a power failure. You just select prior state, or similar. Then whatever the computer was doing when the power fails, it will do when the power comes back all by itself with no button press..

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by mike1961

Isn't there a bios setting or something somewhere to tell the computer to start when there is power (and not have to press the button)?

Most likely there is, but that's really a question that's best answered by booting into your BIOS and seeing what settings are available. First place I'd look would be the Boot Options section.

And yes, you should have a UPS regardless of this setting.

[mike1961]

One more question - if I missed a show on TV (so you think you can dance) is there any way to get that show (last night 8/16)? Is there a shared forum or something somewhere where I can download the show?

Thanks,
Mike

[GKusnick]

Check the network's website. If they want you to be able to download episodes of that show, they'll post them on their own site. If they don't post them there, then any downloads you find elsewhere are illegal pirated copies, and it would be against the rules of this forum to post such links here.

[mike1961]

Thanks for the info. I'll check the network's website. It's interesting to me that it would not be legal for them to just be in the public domain since they have already been aired and anyone could easily record the show (when they are aired) but I guess it's still part of the copyright laws.

Thanks,
Mike

[sainswor99]

Originally Posted by mike1961

I realize I could buy a UPS but I'm just wondering if there is a setting somewhere and if so, where is it?

Not trying to be snarky, but you really need to buy a UPS. Unexpected power outages will definitely wreak havoc with your HTPC, especially if your running an operating system that has write caching enabled. Very easy to corrupt files (like your wiz.bin).

You can get a cheap UPS for $30-40; definitely worth the investment.

Stu

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by mike1961

It's interesting to me that it would not be legal for them to just be in the public domain since they have already been aired and anyone could easily record the show (when they are aired) but I guess it's still part of the copyright laws.

Anyone can record it for their own use. But only the copyright holder (or their licensee) has the right to distribute copies of the recording. That's the very definition of copyright: the right to distribute copies. Having done so once (by broadcasting the show) doesn't mean they've given up that right. They still legally control when and how additional copies may be distributed (e.g. by rebroadcast, DVD sales, etc).

For a work to be considered public domain (i.e. freely distributable by anyone) requires either that the copyright holder explicitly abandon their copyright, or that sufficient time has passed (something like 75 years if I remember right) since the original publication. Neither of those conditions applies here.

[mike1961]

Regarding the UPS - it's more of a "time issue" and a space issue as I have my sever in the closet. But, I know I need to get one.

Regarding the copyright issue, I checked the website and I don't think they have broadcasts of last night's show (Thurs night) on their site.

Thanks,
Mike

[sojourner753]

I second the UPS. There have been scenarios where my power was only out for 2 minutes. I have a small one that will only give an estimated 60 minutes of power. Of course the only thing I have plugged in is the HTPC. No TV or anything else so maybe I'll get a little more.

[mike1961]

I'm assuming that you also have the STB's plugged in otherwise you would not be able to record shows even with the pc on. This is of course assuing you have the cable box (for extended stations) otherwise for the standard stations you would only need a tuner card(s) so the pc is all you would need.

Mike

Originally Posted by sojourner753

I second the UPS. There have been scenarios where my power was only out for 2 minutes. I have a small one that will only give an estimated 60 minutes of power. Of course the only thing I have plugged in is the HTPC. No TV or anything else so maybe I'll get a little more.

[sojourner753]

Currently I'm taking my feed from the analog signal. But I am planning on adding additional tuners and channeling through my STB. I don't often venture up into the extended channels, but it would be nice to not miss X-Play so often.

That is a good point and I'll have to keep that in mind as I extend my HTPC.