On Fri, 02 Jan 2004 19:40:13 GMT, Geoff wrote:
"Dave MacRae" wrote in message
...
It's a well known fact that you are more likely to damage the components
of your PC by constand switching off and on than by leaving them
switched on. At work we have a policy that PCs are never switched off.

For example, the machine that I'm writing this on has been up for 58
days and that's only because there was a power cut. Before that it had
been on for almost a year.


Hi Dave. It's a well known fact to me too, but there are limits. Surely it's
better to have the PC come on, for example, once on a Saturday and once on a
Sunday for, say, one hour each, rather than leaving it on for 3 days and 2
nights non-stop? I'm just using my common sense.

Basically, it's your call.

One thing I'm not sure about is whether the DigiTV starts up at boot
time or do you have to be logged on? The PC that I have my card in is
multi-user and I restrict the things the kids have access to so they
have to log in. DigiTV will record if they are logged in but I'm not but
what happens if no-one is logged on. Must try.

Regards

--
Dave

"Darren Wilkinson" wrote in message
...
Do you already have digiguide? If not then download and install the demo
anyway. The other bit of software is actually called DABDig
(http://www.spidersweb.freeserve.co.uk/dab/dabdig.htm) which stores
schedulad recordings in nebulas own registry for the digitv.exe app to
record. IIRC when used with dabdig digiguide can bring the pc out of
hibernation but don't quote me on that. Of course as it is scheduled for
the
nebula app to record any timer bugs will still be apparent. I know that
you
didn't want to bring up the timer issue but as they are kinda related it
is
worth pointing out.

The other option which should deifintely avoid the timer issue and (I
think)
bring the pc out of hibernation is showshifter. There is a fifteen day
demo
of the new dvb version available from www.showshifter.com .


Ok thanks for all that Darren, it's very useful info. I haven't got
DigiGuide yet but have downloaded DabDig. I will definately get the demo of
DigiGuide tomorrow and try it out together with DabDig and see how it goes.
I have actually got the 'Shutdown' program since I last wrote, and have got
that to hibernate the PC using Scheduler. I haven't yet found out how to
start with PC without actually specifying a program to start, but that's not
a big deal and I'll work out a tidier method sooner or later anyway. I'm not
sure what IIRC is to be honest but I'll look it up after sending this. :)

Thanks again,
Geoff.

"Geoff" wrote in message
...
Ok thanks for all that Darren, it's very useful info. I haven't got
DigiGuide yet but have downloaded DabDig. I will definately get the demo
of
DigiGuide tomorrow and try it out together with DabDig and see how it
goes.
I have actually got the 'Shutdown' program since I last wrote, and have
got
that to hibernate the PC using Scheduler. I haven't yet found out how to
start with PC without actually specifying a program to start, but that's
not
a big deal and I'll work out a tidier method sooner or later anyway. I'm
not
sure what IIRC is to be honest but I'll look it up after sending this. :)


I feel like a total idiot now! I just found out what IIRC means-I thought it
was the name of a program! Duh. Hides head in shame and embarrassment

Geoff.

"Geoff" wrote:

"Darren Wilkinson" wrote in message
. ..
Do you already have digiguide? If not then download and install the demo
anyway. The other bit of software is actually called DABDig
(http://www.spidersweb.freeserve.co.uk/dab/dabdig.htm) which stores
schedulad recordings in nebulas own registry for the digitv.exe app to
record. IIRC when used with dabdig digiguide can bring the pc out of
hibernation but don't quote me on that. Of course as it is scheduled for
the
nebula app to record any timer bugs will still be apparent. I know that
you
didn't want to bring up the timer issue but as they are kinda related it
is
worth pointing out.

The other option which should deifintely avoid the timer issue and (I
think)
bring the pc out of hibernation is showshifter. There is a fifteen day
demo
of the new dvb version available from www.showshifter.com .


Ok thanks for all that Darren, it's very useful info. I haven't got
DigiGuide yet but have downloaded DabDig. I will definately get the demo of
DigiGuide tomorrow and try it out together with DabDig and see how it goes.
I have actually got the 'Shutdown' program since I last wrote, and have got
that to hibernate the PC using Scheduler. I haven't yet found out how to
start with PC without actually specifying a program to start, but that's not
a big deal and I'll work out a tidier method sooner or later anyway. I'm not
sure what IIRC is to be honest but I'll look it up after sending this. :)
FYI - I have't put explicit code in DABDig to shutdown/wake-up the PC.
2 barriers - neither insurmountable
a) Usually DABDig and hence DigiTV is only called by DigiGuide just a
few minutes before the programme is scheduled to start. So neither
DABDIg nor DigiTV know to set a wake-up event in the PC
b) There is no code in DABDig to set a wake-up event

re a) you could get round this by changing the default alter period of
the DABDig marker in DigiGuide from 15 minutes to 3 days. You might
potentially miss an event if listings change before DigiGuide
downloads (because mahcine i spowered off) them but unlikely.
DABDig would then put the ebvent into the DigiTV queue and DigiTV
would know about the timer and can use its power-down/wake-up stuf
(assuming it works). Then b) doesn't matter.
The good folks have DigiGuide have recently been involved in
discussing putting this sort of code into upcoming version of
DigiGuide ... which means that it owuld happen automatically for al
devices not just Nebula.
See http://forums.digiguide.com/topic.asp?id=12150

re b) There is some code in DABDig that potentially puts events into
the Windows Scheduler. It can be enabled through a setting in
dabdig.ini but it was something that I put in the code and never
really used afterwards. ISTR that I found that events that were more
than 24 hours in the future were having strange effects on Windows
Scheduler so I put in code to ensure that the event is set for less
than 24 hours time and then it puts itself back on the queue if the
real event is still more than 24 hours in the future ... or soemthing
like that (I haven't checked for ages).
If the Windows Scheduler is able to wake-up a PC from its slumber
automatically (by talking to the machine when it shutsdown) then maybe
this would work.

In any case - when DABDig schedules into Nebula DigiTV it is able to
put the event straight into the Nebula schedules and let it work it
out so I wouldn't use the Windows Scheduler even if you enabled it.
(some other devices that I support do not have their own timer queue -
and it is for them that I have that code)
--
Rgds
Paul Webster

"Paul Webster" wrote in
message ...
FYI - I have't put explicit code in DABDig to shutdown/wake-up the PC.
2 barriers - neither insurmountable
a) Usually DABDig and hence DigiTV is only called by DigiGuide just a
few minutes before the programme is scheduled to start. So neither
DABDIg nor DigiTV know to set a wake-up event in the PC
b) There is no code in DABDig to set a wake-up event


I won't quote it all but I read with interest all your points. I had to read
it several times but I think I understand what you're saying apart from
possibly one thing. You SEEM to imply that DigiTV is capable of waking the
PC up providing DABDig tells it about the program before I hibernate the PC.
However, I didn't think Nebula's software was able to do that? Or are you
saying that it would work IF Nebula's software had that function?

Thanks for all the info you wrote out for me Paul.

Geoff.

"Geoff" wrote:

"Paul Webster" wrote in
message ...
FYI - I have't put explicit code in DABDig to shutdown/wake-up the PC.
2 barriers - neither insurmountable
a) Usually DABDig and hence DigiTV is only called by DigiGuide just a
few minutes before the programme is scheduled to start. So neither
DABDIg nor DigiTV know to set a wake-up event in the PC
b) There is no code in DABDig to set a wake-up event


I won't quote it all but I read with interest all your points. I had to read
it several times but I think I understand what you're saying apart from
possibly one thing. You SEEM to imply that DigiTV is capable of waking the
PC up providing DABDig tells it about the program before I hibernate the PC.
However, I didn't think Nebula's software was able to do that? Or are you
saying that it would work IF Nebula's software had that function?
HI Geoff,
You interpreted my wordy response correctly.

Looks like I was wrong though - I had remembered seeing things in the
Nebula GUI and release notes related to Hibernate and had
misremembered it as being able to wake up as well ... but having just
re-read their Help file I see that they do not do that part yet .. it
says:
"at the moment DigiTV cannot re-start your machine automatically if
there are programme timers still active" which I guess is a sign of
hope.
Maybe I need to add the option into my stuff .. I'll have a look.
Problem is testing it - I don't have a PC here that sucessfully
restores from hibernation.
--
Rgds
Paul Webster

Looks like I was wrong though - I had remembered seeing things in the
Nebula GUI and release notes related to Hibernate and had
misremembered it as being able to wake up as well ... but having just
re-read their Help file I see that they do not do that part yet .. it
says:
"at the moment DigiTV cannot re-start your machine automatically if
there are programme timers still active" which I guess is a sign of
hope.
Maybe I need to add the option into my stuff .. I'll have a look.
Problem is testing it - I don't have a PC here that sucessfully
restores from hibernation.

I don't think there is any way of waking a pc up from hibernation
through software.
Hibernate is essentially the same a power off, with all memory contents
stored on the hard disc.
Essentially the windows task scheduler cannot wake the pc up from
hibernate mode because there is no software running to be triggered by a
timer.
You can wake from standby mode, even the deep S3 STR mode where only the
memory remains powered, but you cannot wake from hibernate except by
using the bios Real Time Clock wakeup.
There appears to be no way to set the Bios wakeup time through software.

"Paul Webster" wrote in
message ...
HI Geoff,
You interpreted my wordy response correctly.

Looks like I was wrong though - I had remembered seeing things in the
Nebula GUI and release notes related to Hibernate and had
misremembered it as being able to wake up as well ... but having just
re-read their Help file I see that they do not do that part yet .. it
says:
"at the moment DigiTV cannot re-start your machine automatically if
there are programme timers still active" which I guess is a sign of
hope.
Maybe I need to add the option into my stuff .. I'll have a look.
Problem is testing it - I don't have a PC here that sucessfully
restores from hibernation.


Hi Paul. I searched the DigiTV help documentation for such information but
didn't find it. I probably used the word "hibernate" in my site search which
of course they didn't mention. :)

Until 3 days ago, my computer wouldn't restore from hibernation either but
I've fixed that now so I'd be very happy to test any new program code out
anytime. I'll copy this message to your email address so that you get my
address, and you can email me directly anytime if you wish to use my
computer as a guinea pig. :)

Cheers,
Geoff.

"Edward" wrote in message
...
I don't think there is any way of waking a pc up from hibernation
through software.
Hibernate is essentially the same a power off, with all memory contents
stored on the hard disc.
Essentially the windows task scheduler cannot wake the pc up from
hibernate mode because there is no software running to be triggered by a
timer.
You can wake from standby mode, even the deep S3 STR mode where only the
memory remains powered, but you cannot wake from hibernate except by
using the bios Real Time Clock wakeup.
There appears to be no way to set the Bios wakeup time through software.



Hi Edward. You can actually wake up from the Hibernate state. I don't
honestly know how it works (but am interested if anyone knows!). I have run
several tests on this and use XP Scheduler to re-start it from Hibernate (or
Standby). If I just set Scheduler to load any program, and tick the box
'wake computer' (or whatever it says), it will wake it in any mode apart
from totally shut down.

Geoff.

"Jaime" wrote in message
...
You sure, in windows XP Hibernate is suspend to disk (STD) and is no
different to sutdown as far as the bios etc.. is concerned. Suspend (STR -
suspend to ram) is completely different in that windows makes use of the
power management abilities of the bios to achieve this, however personally
I
find it makes little difference in terms of noise and power usuage
compared
to idle.

It really is much easier to just leave the PC on. However do be mindful of
power usage, my main machine which is a p4 box eats 180w, whereas the p3
box
I use as a server (and will add a second digitv card to shortly for
recording) uses less than 45w (and is barely audiable from 2m at night).


Hi Jaime.

I keep reading people say that you can't resume from hibernate mode
automatically. I understand what you and others say about why this is, but I
can't help that it works for me! :) I have been doing several tests with it
lately and I promise you it is working. I know what I'm talking about and
I'm not mistaking hibernate mode for anything else. I can set XP Scheduler
to start a program, and when it's in hibernate mode, it WILL wake the PC
without a problem. It is hibernating properly and both HDD's are switched
off and the PSU fan is off.

I still don't accept that leaving the PC on for a whole Weekend is the best
answer. There's not only power usage (although not that much I know), but
also the small fire risk. If the way around this is to spend 5 minutes
setting a few schedules, then I'm very happy to do that.

Cheers,
Geoff.