Quick question about the power button on the Z63A/W3V

Hi all, first post here.

I'm looking to get a new notebook and I've pretty much narrowed down to either the Z63A or W3V. I read in one review on this forum that the power button is only enabled when the lid is open. Just wondering if there's a way to override that? Reason I ask is that I am mostly going to use an external monitor and the notebook will sit at a corner of my desk with the lid closed, so I'd really like to be able to turn on the notebook without having to open the lid first (like what I'm doing on my current notebook right now). The external power button on the Z63A/W3V is one of the things that really appeal to me.

Thanks in advance!

 

I would be worried about the computer being started accidentally if the power switch could be operated when the lid is closed. However, the power switch can be operated when the lid is opened by about 2 inches / 5 cm. This may suit your requirements.

John

 

Why not just open the lid, turn it on and then close the lid, takes 2 seconds if that. (Litterally, I just tested it on my W3V)

 

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Yes I understand perfectly the good reason behind why you want to disable the power button with the lid closed so that you don't turn on the notebook accidentally, but in my case it's different because the notebook is sitting at home with the lid closed.

I know I could just open the lid, press the power button and close the lid -- as I said that's exactly what I'm doing right now with my current notebook. It gets a bit annoying when you have to do it at least once every day, or maybe it's just me.

Hence I asked the original question...

 

Actually let me ask another question... maybe you guys can help.

Can you wake up the computer (running XP) from sleep using a USB mouse or USB keyboard? I know with my current notebook I can't do that -- once the computer goes to standby, the only way I can turn it on is if I hit, say, the spacebar on the notebook's keyboard.

Since I'm planning to use an USB keyboard and USB wireless mouse with the Z63A, if I could wake up the computer that way, then maybe I can just put the computer to standby as opposed to powering it off...

 

I can't imagine why a USB keyboard or mouse wouldn't wake up the computer... I mean, on a desktop it has to take it's cues from USB devices...

 

That's what I thought...

However, I've tried several notebooks with USB mouse and keyboard connected, and the only way I could get the computer come back from standby was via the notebook's own keyboard. On those machines I tried, it seemed that when XP went to standby, it also cut the power to the USB ports.

Can someone with a Z63A or W3V test it for me? Thanks.

 

Doesn't work on the Z63A. Sorry.

 

Can't you "wake" a computer from standby/hibernation with the power button? Come to think of it, I thought once you got past screen saver and into either standby or hibernation, the powerbutton can be used... I know that's how it works with all the various laptops I've serviced at work... (I do laptop repair)

 

Nope, the power button is completely disabled when in hibernation.

 

Huh? So how do you get out of hibernation on the Z63A if the power button doesn't do it?

 

I think the power button should work (at least on all desktops and notebooks I've come across so far)...

But the thing is that I am planning to use the Z63A with external monitor, a wireless USB mouse and a USB keyboard, with the lid closed. I'd like to find out if the power button (since it's external) can be used to turn on the computer -- again, with the lid closed, because I don't want to bother opening the lid everytime I turn it on. It's not a show stopper because that's what I'm doing right now with my current notebook, but I thought the external power button on the Z63 would come in handy. Anyway, someone confirmed the answer is no -- the power button is disabled whenever the lid is closed and there's no way to override that.

Which leads to my next question -- whether I can wake up the computer from standby using either a wireless USB mouse or an external USB keyboard (I know for sure hibernation won't work). Because if I can wake up the computer from standby, I would just put the computer on standby instead of powering it off -- so that I can just press a key on the external keyboard to get back to Windows next time. This is still a mystery... and I'm hoping someone with a Z63A can answer.

Sorry if I confused anyone. I guess nobody here use their laptops like I do... ("docking" the laptop at the office/home)?

 

I prefer a notebook which is difficult to accidentally wake up. I would expect this applies to the majority of users who carry their computer in suspend or hibernation. The potential problem of resume being activated by a mouse or other USB device is that often such peripherals may be activated unintentionally. Limited opening of the lid before the computer power switch becomes functional is a reasonable compromise and is much more convenient than having to fully open the computer in order to press the power button.

John

 

Though not all PCs/Notebooks support waking from USB, be sure to check that that is:
1) Not an option that is disabled in the BIOS
2) "Allow this device to bring the computer out of Standby" is enabled in the device manager under USB / 'USB Root Hub' on the Power Management Tab.

I'm thinking most modern machines should be able to deal with this.

 

Push any key.

 

Good advice - thanks. I remember reading something about that before.

On my current notebook (over 3 yrs old), that option is greyed out. Perhaps that's why I can't wake up the computer with my USB mouse or keyboard.

Can someone with a Z63V kindly check if this option is available?

 

My option is also "greyed out". It is visible, just not available.

 

If the option is greyed out in Device Manager, it's because of some power management option in the BIOS that is either disabled or doesn't exist. It may be in the BIOS as part of the "Advanced Configuration and Power Interface Specfication" (ACPI) or "Advanced Power Management" (APM), so check to make sure those are enabled.

I have the W3V, but honestly, I haven't needed this feature, so I haven't looked at the settings/options myself, and don't have it with me at the moment to check.