I am incorprating my computer into my Media Center.  I have Vista Premium, installed, and everything works great (well... as good as can be expected at this point with Vista).  My problem is I want to be able to turn my computer on and off by remote control. I expect turning it off will not be a problem, but I can see where turning it on would have to be done manually, as I do not know of any rf "off/on switch in my system.  I notice that the Vista remote controls have a RF USB receiver with them, and I can envision that using the remote control as a mouse will allow one to "shut down"  through the normal internal process, but I cannot see how one can turn the system on without a RF controlled "on" switch either built in to the computer case or the motherboard.  I need to understand what must be done to turn my computer on before I buy a remote control.  Any thoughts and/or info on this matter is appreciated

I bought the IR unit for my Intel Mobo and couldnt get the On/Off to work. The range was terible even with my Hot Link Pro IR extender.

I just use the SLEEP button myself, my system will mute the TV sound when I put it to sleep so thats good enough for me but if you want to do a full shutdown and on with a remote follow the link below. I havent tried this component out but maybe somebody else can comment on it.

PCAlchemy has a PCI  or USB version of what you want.

http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_info.php/pName/soundgraph-imon-24g-dt-pci-24ghz-rf-receiver-and-remote/cName/remote-controls

 

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VMC: Intel DP35DP, Q6600 Quad Core, 2.4Ghtz, LG BluRay HDDVD, 7-500GB WD SATA II, ATI 3870 512mb PCI-E
2 ATI-650 Pro, 2 Verizon FIOS Set top HD's
Logitech Harmony 880 Remote

Thanks for the response Craigp3. Susupicions confirmed!!!  I went to the site you suggested and will be checking the remote control and PCI card out .  Obviously you have been working with the same problem I am faced with.  The sleep (or hibernate) mode is something I have been considering, but I would rather be able to simply turn the system off.  Thinking back on what you have said I did notice a remote advertised that plugs into the short PCI express x1 slot  (the very short one). I do not plan to use that slot for anything else so that might also be an option.  I do know that the unit I saw advertised waas rated very good by those that had purchased it.  I am interested in your mentioning that you purchased an add on IR unit for your Intel motherboard.  You would think by now that would be a standard item on "VISTA" ready motherboards. I think I might check with ASUS to see if they have an "add on" receiver unit.  Thanks again for your quick assist.  It is very helpful.  If you would like feedback on what I find out just post me to that effect.

CWH -- ASUS MS2 SLI, AMD 64 2X  5000, XFX 8600, 4 gig DDR 2 800, 2 SATA 250 HDDs, Vista Premium

sleep/standy/hibernate works a lot better than on/off because of the speed in which the system comes up

Hey Tikker!  Thanks for the input.  Maybe you can be of additional help.  I have the exact same motherboard you have in your system, and was, in fact considering using a micro case and that board for my mce system. Just one problem, it will not come out of hibernation with either the keyboard or the mouse.  It insists on my having to tap the "on" button. My preference would be to use that board in my Front Room system if I can get it to wake up because it is small enough to fit in my TV stand with the glass doors shut.  Did you have to change any CMOS settings or jumpers on your board to get it to "wake up" by the keyboard or mouse? 

 I thought that board had the capability, but I went through a lot of hoops and was never able to get it to work.  Other than that it has been a five star board for me.

Any help would certainly be appreciated.  I am using a cordless mouse and keyboard on that system, but I don' think that is the problem, as I have had two systems that would "wake" with wireless M&K.

Thoughts anyone?

which board?

on the Asus board there's a physical jumper you have to set to allow a usb device (the remote in this case) to wake it from standby/hibernation

on the MSI board it was just a bios setting

Thanks everyone for the help; I am now using hiberation and mouse awake, and it is working flawlessly.  Now that I have things working so well I have installed an LG BlueRay player, and am capable of controlling everything from the recliner.  Thanks again.