Getting Reboot Right

If you are using iBoot or one of our other power management products to power cycle your PC or Server, you want to make sure the computer turns back on when power is switched. There are settings in the computer that dictate how the computer will respond when power is first connected to the computer. Those same settings control what the computer will do when iBoot switches power off, then back on again, as for a reboot.

Many computers default in remaining off when the A/C power is restored, and will not turn on automatically when iBoot power cycles. The good news is that this can be easily rectified.

The fundamental controls of the computer are set in the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). The BIOS can be accessed each time the computer is turned on. Watch carefully for a message from the manufacturer as the machine powers up.  Typically it could be:

• Press F1 to enter setup’
• ‘BIOS settings: Esc’
• ‘Setup = Del’
• ‘System configuration: F2’

You may need a few attempts to find the message and be ready to hit the right key in time. Each manufacturer does things a little differently, but the basics are the same. The BIOS is a powerful place, so take a moment to learn how to navigate and alter the settings. Fortunately anything you might do accidentally can be undone, just make sure not to Save any new settings until you are sure.

Once you enter the BIOS, look for a section typically called Advanced Power Management, Power Management Setup or something similar.  The feature of Power Management that you want is called A/C Recovery,  A/C Power Recovery, or something like that.  The choices for this setting will typically be ON, OFF and LAST.  To make the iBoot work every time, select ON.  Save you settings and reboot.

You can test this by unplugging the running computer from the wall and plugging it back in again.  If the PC powers up, then you setting are correct, and iBoot will work the same way.