Starting and shutting down computer automatically

[tricky1]

A friend and I have been trying to set up task scheduler to startup a computer and have it shutdown later in the day unattended.

The computer will be used for a display presentation to run from 9am to 5pm on a daily basis.

we can shutdown the computer using task scheduler but just cannot get the computer to restart.

we have the presentation set as a series of photos set in the screen saver, the idea being when the computer finally turns on the screensaver will kick in and rotate through the photos until time for the shut down.

The computer will not be available to prying fingers so once the screen saver is working it should continue till shutdown..... that's the theory

we also have the photos in a powerpoint format if needed.

anyone help?

 

[soulman1949]

I have a slightly crude solution I use myself to a similar problem, but it does the job.

I have the computer powered through a time switch, in your case you could set the time switch to turn the power on at 9am (or shortly before to give the system time to boot up) and power off shortly after 5pm (to give the PC a chance to shutdown properly).

Then set up your BIOS to power on when power is restored, it may be something like "Automatic power up" or "Restore after power loss". The option will usually be there in the Power Management section of your BIOS.

Finally set up a task scheduler to shutdown the PC at 5pm (sounds like you've already done this).

As I said, I use this method to control power to one of my PCs and it does the job.


Alan