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DADDY BOB'S COMPUTER Q & A
May 23, 2010
Q.
Why don't computers have a push button to
turn them off like they do to turn them on?
A.
The simple answer to this question
is that they do have an off switch, but this
requires more explanation. When you press
the on button of a computer it starts a
definite, prescribed step by step sequence
that is, with few exceptions, not user
controllable. This same sequence is followed
every time the computer is turned on.
When a
computer is shut down, there is no similar
prescribed sequence as the process depends
on what is running, what files are opened,
and what has changed or been changed since
it was started.
There may
be an external switch on the power supply,
and there may be a power strip used with a
power switch on it, and either of these will
shutdown the computer. BUT---this method is
definitely not recommended. It may work
successfully with no apparent damage for
many times, but sooner or later, it will
cause major problems rendering the computer
inoperative.
Prior to
the advent of the ATX (Advanced Technology
eXtended) motherboard by Intel in 1995, most
computer's power switch were the toggle type
that turned on with a press, and then turned
off with another press. With the ATX
motherboard, the power is turned on with the
push button, and then controlled by
circuitry on the motherboard that can be
influenced by software. This is why closing
Windows properly causes the computer to shut
down.
This was
done to prevent the computer from being
turned off until conditions were such that
nothing could be lost or corrupt during the
shutdown. There is a preferred method
controlled by the operating system software
that performs the shutdown in a orderly
manor. Pressing Start, then shutdown is the
recommended way to shutdown a computer. The
quickest and easiest way to do this same
thing is to assure all windows are closed,
and then press the ALT+F4 keys
simultaneously to bring up the shutdown
dialog. However, there are times that this
preferred method may not work.
There is
another way to shut down the computer and
that is to press and immediately release the
power button. On a desktop, this will cause
a shutdown without causing harm to the
computer or its operating system. However,
any program that is open will be shutdown
without regards to saving anything. This
action of the power button is user
programmable.
By
default, on most desktops, the results of
pressing the power button momentarily will
start the rapid shutdown process. On most
laptops, the default action is not to
shutdown the computer, but to put it into
standby or sleep mode. These default actions
can be changed by the user if desired. On
laptops, the action of the lid being closed
is also programmable. I personally change
the power button and lid closing action
on my laptop to shutdown to assure that it
doesn't go into sleep mode and unwittingly
drain the battery.
To modify
the power button's action, open the control
panel, and locate the Power Options. This
may require going through several steps
especially if what I consider to be totally
unnecessarily confusing default "category"
view is selected. Once there, in XP click on
the advanced tab and the settings of the
power button action can be changed. Things
are easier in Vista and Windows 7 where you
have choices listed in the left panel that
can be selected. Note that with a
laptop, you are given separate settings for
when on battery and plugged in.
Should
the normal shutdown procedure or pressing
the power button method not work, there one
more sure fire way to shutdown the computer
without just pulling the plug. This method
is only recommended when all other methods
fail. Pressing and holding the start button
for five to eight seconds will cause an
immediate shutdown of the computer.
As
stated, this method is not recommended
unless all else fails as nothing is saved,
and there is a real possibility that the
operating system files could be corrupted.
Of course, should a condition persist where
this method is the only way to shutdown the
computer, chances are that there is already
something amiss with hardware, the operating
system software or both. |
