The power button.

[Perfection]

In newer computers with windows many times pushing the power button causes the computer to exit out of windows instead os shutting down cold, thus saving it from potential problems. Unfortunatly most the time when it gets hosed enough that you can't shut down through windows, the power button doesn't work as well, forcing you to disconnect power, which often can be ackward. So I find the power button to be mostly useless. What are your opinions?

 

[Zelig]

I actually have a button for each.
I have a button on the keyboard that turns the computer on, or if it is already on it shuts down.
The button on my case cuts the power, like I want.

 

[Perfection]

I was talking about the case button, some shutdown like that too, but you have a good point. The one on your keyboard makes the on the case redundant; so, there is really no need for the power button (on the case) to initiate shutdown. So the question remians, why have it?

 

[ainwood]

Most computers have two power buttons - the one on the front of the case that acts as you say, and a second one on the back of the case that actually cuts the power (rather than disconnecting from the wall).

I think that with windows much more stable than in the early releases, that the front power button just being a 'shut-down windows then shut-down' button, is actually quite a good idea. Especially for the novice PC user who (generally) 1.) Doesn't realise that you need to shutdown windows before powering off and 2.) tneds to run standard apps that are less likely to crash windows anyway.

 

[damunzy]

I wish there was four buttons.
One to turn the system off.
One to shutdown the system.
One to reset the system. (different from turning off because it reboots)
One to suspend/power-save the system.

Oh, and one to rule them all.

 

[Jeratain]

Munzy, in regards to your wishes.. a lot of those exist.

For instance, an old computer I have has a suspend button, a power button, and a reset button.

On my current computer, I have a power button, that if pressed will shutdown Windows and then power off the system. If I hold it down for 7 seconds it will shut off the computer without shutting down. It also has a reset button which just resets without worrying about Windows.

My keyboard on the other hand has a power off button which will shutdown windows and then the computer and it also has a Sleep button and Wake up Button. I don't ever use them, but I have 'em. Kindof nice.

 

[Perfection]

Originally posted by ainwood
Most computers have two power buttons - the one on the front of the case that acts as you say, and a second one on the back of the case that actually cuts the power (rather than disconnecting from the wall).

Yeah but those can be pretty ackward, especially if you are working with computer shelves that you can't access the backs of easily (Like mine).

Maybe the could have a little warning on it saying try shutting down from start menu first.

 

[Souron]

often times if you hold the power button for 10 sec. the computer cuts power.

the problem with the power buton shuting down the comp. is if it fails, like if there is a non responsive program an you have an option to "end task", so you have to watch as it shut down or it might not. Why have the button if it does not work well? on my laptop however I have both. So I use the power button to hibernate (always works)(I can choose).

 

[Turner]

True, I've noticed the five second rule for most of the ones I work on. But then, I don't count the seconds, I just wait until it powers off.

Of course, when I'm really pissed at my system, I used the rip-the-cord-out-off-the-back-and-throw-it button. Lots of fun! Good thing XP recovers - usually.

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

often times if you hold the power button for 10 sec. the computer cuts power.

This is true, but causes lots of problems when your power button is hard to push and you have to hold it in.

Still, if you must cut power....

 

[Zelig]

Originally posted by munzy
I wish there was four buttons.
One to turn the system off.
One to shutdown the system.
One to reset the system. (different from turning off because it reboots)
One to suspend/power-save the system.

Oh, and one to rule them all.

I have all of them, ecept my sleep and wake up buttons are separate.

 

[Plutonium239]

Soft-off and other behaviors are configurable in BIOS.

 

[Perfection]

Wow my button worked after about 7 seconds. I love you all!

 

[GenghisK]

Actually, indeed, sometimes shutting down Win2000 fill just freeze the machine, and even the power down button doesn't seem to work. Then just maintain it at least 10 second and it will force shutdown. Nevertheless since I never shut my PC down that isn't much a problem. I only turn it off when I go for holidays (at least 2 weeks)

Btw my keyboard is acting weird. On one machine, when it's off, pressing the power key on the keyboard will power it on. OTOH, doing the same on another ATX based PC will do nothing

 

[Zelig]

Originally posted by GenghisK
Btw my keyboard is acting weird. On one machine, when it's off, pressing the power key on the keyboard will power it on. OTOH, doing the same on another ATX based PC will do nothing

Older and cheap motherboards don't support keyboard power on and many have it disabled by default.
To enable it the jumper must be set on and it has to be enabled in the bios.