What does your HTPC do when your not using it?

[rxtrom]

I mainly use my HTPC as a DVD player, and soon to be blue-ray player. The DVDs are stored on a local server and I use Beyond Media and the DVD plugin to pull the library together. Also if we happen to rent a DVD it has a DVD-rom. I do not record TV or anything like that, and its just a dedicated HTPC, no file server, gaming machine etc.

I have a Harmony 1000 which I interface with the IR extender in the closet, the Snapstream Firefly USB IR and software work off of a LM remote KeyMap that I use to work with Zoomplayer etc.

My question is I do not like the HTPC on all the time. Its used on the weekends in my theater room, and not a main tv viewing area. I would like it to go to sleep and then bring it awake with the Harmony.

BTW the keymap progrm can run programs etc, but not sure how that helps if the computer is in sleep mode.

Please throw you thoughts at me.

[Jon]

Not really sure what you're asking, but when I hit "Off" on my Harmony remotes, my HTPCs go into standby. They are all dedicated HTPC systems, so if I'm not watching anything, they're sleeping.

[JaY_III]

um sits under the TV.

Sorry what was your question again?

You want it to wake up when you push your remote?
Like a wake on USB setting? (IR blaster is USB)

[rxtrom]

Yes that is it. Both of you!

Please elaborate on how you get it to go into standby when you hit off on your harmony, then how it comes out of standby

I understand the workings of the harmony, but please explain what needs to be doen on the PC.

Thanks.

[moto211]

I would have it folding during idle time. But, then it would be on all the time.

[Jon]

Yes that is it. Both of you!

Please elaborate on how you get it to go into standby when you hit off on your harmony, then how it comes out of standby

I understand the workings of the harmony, but please explain what needs to be doen on the PC.

Thanks.

In the Harmony settings for the activity, there will be a power option to turn device off when not in use. You want to set it for that.

On the PC, I didn't really do anything. I made sure that S3 (S3+S4 is good too) sleep was enabled in the BIOS prior to installing the OS (VERY important) and I use the MST (http://slicksolutions.eu/) utility to make sure it stays asleep after entering standby.

If your remote is not putting your HTPC into standby mode (or bringing it out, rather) with all of the things I mentioned configured correctly, then you may not have your +5VSB enabled for your USB ports (if you have one). You'll need to check your motherboard's manual for this, but there will be a jumper for each USB header on your board that will need to be set so that the ports receive power while in standby mode.

If none of that works, then you may just have one of those systems that do not work well with Media Center and standby. I ditched two older Asus boards due to this and have not had any problems since.

[barfly711]

My HTPC is the machine listed in my signature and it sits off probably 90% of the week. What a waste...I'm thinking of making it my main workstation in the office and moving the office PC to the living room. I just don't need all this horsepower to watch downloaded TV shows. I was keeping it in the living room until blu-ray drive prices went down. After my bad experience with the Lite-On drive I got from Newegg, I've decided to just buy a standalone blu-ray player.

[Jolly-Swagman]

My HTPC is the machine listed in my signature and it sits off probably 90% of the week. What a waste...I'm thinking of making it my main workstation in the office and moving the office PC to the living room. I just don't need all this horsepower to watch downloaded TV shows. I was keeping it in the living room until blu-ray drive prices went down. After my bad experience with the Lite-On drive I got from Newegg, I've decided to just buy a standalone blu-ray player.


Ahh you sould have it Folding @home when its just sitting Idle.

[nd4spdbh2]

htpc just sits there off when im not using it... no point in having it on wasting energy.

i just use it to play music and watch dvd's ... never really got into the whole tv recording thing. even though i got an ati tv wonder elite chillin in it.

[barfly711]

Ahh you sould have it Folding @home when its just sitting Idle.

Well, I keep it off because my electricity bill was outrageous the first few months I had it on 24/7. Noticed a significant change once I started turning it off when I'm not using it.

[gangaskan]

Not really sure what you're asking, but when I hit "Off" on my Harmony remotes, my HTPCs go into standby. They are all dedicated HTPC systems, so if I'm not watching anything, they're sleeping.

ditto. mine is suspended 90% of the time

[jstutman]

Mine folds 24/7 and with all the other pc's running, it will prob stay that way until I see a HUGE increase in electricty usage.

[benbaked]

Mine runs rosetta@home all of the time, even when I'm using it.