Can I turn my PC on with a remote control?

[ubercake]

I have an HTPC with an Asus P8H61-M LE/CSM motherboard. To "complete the circuit" with this HTPC, I'd like to be able to use a wireless keyboard or Logitech Harmony remote to start up/power on the PC.

Is there a component I can add to my PC that will let me power it on either through a Harmony remote or wireless keyboard?

 

[DasHotShot]

There is a setting in the BIOS usually for "any key on" or similar.

So long as your wireless keyboard has power when the PC is off you can hit enter to boot.

I do...with a wired keyboard.

 

[Wolfshadw]

For this to work, your PC typically isn't off, but in sleep mode. There may be a setting in your motherboard BIOS for "Wake on USB" (assuming your wireless keyboard/remote control has a USB IR Receiver). Another possibility is to check under Power Management in Control Panel to see if there is an option there.

-Wolf sends

 

[DasHotShot]

Yep, I meant what Wolf says, with regard to Wake on USB.

However I can boot from off, not just wake from "sleep" with that.

I know laptops have these settings in the energy settings menu.

 

[ubercake]

Cool. Thanks. I'll check that out and let you know if I have that USB option and if it's working as expected (will be in about 10 hours as I am not currently by that PC). I may have to upgrade the BIOS to see if a newer BIOS has the USB option. I don't remember seeing it when I looked under the power management options.

 

[Iamsoda]

Cool. Thanks. I'll check that out and let you know if I have that USB option and if it's working as expected (will be in about 10 hours as I am not currently by that PC). I may have to upgrade the BIOS to see if a newer BIOS has the USB option. I don't remember seeing it when I looked under the power management options.

You can also wakeup using the internet. So you could wake up your pc with your phone/tablet.

 

[Wolfshadw]

Cool. Thanks. I'll check that out and let you know if I have that USB option and if it's working as expected (will be in about 10 hours as I am not currently by that PC). I may have to upgrade the BIOS to see if a newer BIOS has the USB option. I don't remember seeing it when I looked under the power management options.

You can also wakeup using the internet. So you could wake up your pc with your phone/tablet.

Agreed. I've yet to try it, but there should also be a "Wake on LAN" option.

-Wolf sends

 

[ubercake]

So, I just checked out the manual which is consistent with what I remember when viewing the Advanced Power Management (APM) section of my BIOS...
I have the following options in the APM section of my BIOS:
Power on by:
1) PS/2 Keyboard
2) PS/2 Mouse
3) PCI
4) PCIe
5) Ring (?)
6) RTC (which is not what I'm looking for as it sets to a day/hour/minute/second and does not apply here)

I'm still not near the machine so I'll upgrade the BIOS when I get home and see if the USB option is part of an upgrade.

 

[ubercake]

My evening was consumed with softball and taking family members to dinner. Will try the BIOS upgrade tonight and see if a wake on USB appears...

 

[ubercake]

Sleep mode is the answer in my case. No BIOS update had a power-on/USB option.