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Lamp turns on PC!

Tags:
  • Sleep Mode
  • Windows 8
  • Extension
Last response: in Windows 8
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October 16, 2014 4:23:55 PM

So, I have something really weird going on with my PC. Not a big problem, just interesting. So I have an IKEA lamp on my desk connected to the same extension cord (a good one) as my PC. Sometimes, when my PC is in sleep mode, and I turn my lamp on/off, my pc suddenly wakes up! So is there anyone who can explain why this happens? Thanks in advance.
P.S. If you want anymore/more detailed info, just ask :) 

More about : lamp turns

a c 492 * Windows 8
October 16, 2014 4:26:18 PM

Is your mouse on the same desk? Turning on the lamp may shake the desk enough to move the mouse one pixel, and wake the PC.
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a b * Windows 8
October 16, 2014 4:32:55 PM

The switch that turns on the lamp could also have issues which create a small spike in electricity when turned on/off causing the PC to come out of sleep. What type of switch is in the lamp - and what wattage bulb (and possibly type of bulb).

Do you have a wireless adapter on the PC? The lamp could be generating a signal that wakes the lan as well....
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October 16, 2014 4:34:12 PM

Take the mouse off the table and see if it wakes up when you turn on the lamp. My guess is it wont
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October 16, 2014 4:35:35 PM

Maybe AC ripple causing a noise spike on the DC side of her power supply(cheap power supply?) I am guessing the lamp cord only has two prongs and isn't earth grounded.... I'm purely speculating and rather enjoying the idea of USAFRet being correct =)
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October 16, 2014 4:42:33 PM

i agree with the mouse thing. But could be sending a power spike too, tricking the pc into wake on lan or something.
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a c 492 * Windows 8
October 16, 2014 4:52:35 PM

And actually, not "one pixel", but maybe 1/1200 inch. Depending on mouse resolution.

I had a setup whereby if I walked by the desk, floor vibrations and mouse sensitivity would wake it up.
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October 16, 2014 4:55:02 PM

No it isnt the mouse, already disabled that in device manager. I don't have any wireless cards/capabilities in my PC. I will check tomorrow what type of bulb is in the lamp. The lamp cord does indeed only have 2 prongs. The switch is a see-saw kind of switch, if you know what I mean. Push one side down to turn on, the other side goes up. My PSU is a Seasonic M12II Evo 620w (bronze), so I don't think that that could be it, but then again, I dont know much about circuits and such. A few have mentioned a 'spike', what is this exactly? Thanks
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October 16, 2014 4:56:09 PM

Wake on lan is also turn off by the way
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a b * Windows 8
October 16, 2014 5:43:35 PM

When you flip a switch on an electrical circuit (rocker switch is what your lamp sounds like) - it isn't "instant on" or "instant off" - the switch "bounces" creating a small spike in the electrical signal (which can have an effect on any device plugged into the same circuit). Typically this spike isn't much (on a 120VAC system, it might bounce +5 to +10 VAC) - and that spike may just be enough to trick the computer into waking up. It may be the PSU giving a slight increase in voltage or the wi-fi card picking up the electro-magnetic interference generated by the switch bouncing....

Anyway - it has been 30+ years since electrical engineering school....
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