Is there a way I can have my computer go to sleep but be able to wake it up remotely?

Question

I've heard of Wake-Up-On-LAN (well, I've seen it in the BIOS) but I've never been 100% how to work it. Would this do what I'm after, and if not - would anything else?

I'm using Windows 7, in case it matters..

Answer 1

Wake-On-LAN needs a specially-crafted packet sent from another machine on the LAN (hence the name) to work. If there isn't some other machine on the LAN that you can get to then it can't be done.

Answer 2

Try using the Magic Packet Utility from AMD.

http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/utilities/magic_pkt.exe

EDIT: This article should explain a little...

Answer 3

We use WOL in a large LAN. If you are thinking of doing WOL with a PC over the internet, I don't it would work. With the newer BIOS' it actually works, but beware since the drivers have to compatible or when your PC wakes up it crashes.

Answer 4

Wake-On-LAN can do exactly that. You need a computer that supports it, and to enable it in the bios as you mentioned. You need to consider where you want to send the message from: if it's from your LAN then you can use any old software (google it). I believe you can also wake it up from the internet, but there are some things to consider.

• you must have a static IP address for your internet connection
• your isp might filter out the packet (you can ask them not to!)
• if you have a router, it needs to be set up to forward the packet

If you do want to use the internet, I think there are some websites which will send the message for you.

HTH

Andy

Answer 5

You could try wake-on-modem if you're prepared to dedicate a telephone line to your computer (and hope you don't get wrong number / telemarketing calls).