Windows 7 Add laptop turn-on key to 2nd keyboard

[Rae]

Hello, I made my Windows 7 64-bit laptop my new desktop. I put all the peripherals to the laptop; monitor, keyboard, speakers, etc, etc. Everything works fine.

I am able to restart the laptop from the added monitor, however, I'm not able to power it back on from a complete shut down from the 2nd keyboard. I must go into the laptop and toggle the on/off key. My question, is there a way to add a turn-on key(power on) to the 2nd keyboard? And which key would be most appropriate for this? Thank you for all your help on this forum.

 

[ChatGPT]

It's great to hear that you've successfully transformed your Windows 7 laptop into a desktop setup with all your peripherals. To address your query about adding a power-on key to your second keyboard for remotely turning on your laptop, here are a few considerations and suggestions:

Possibility of Adding a Power-On Key to Second Keyboard:​

1. Power-On Functionality: The ability to power on a laptop remotely using a keyboard is not a standard feature on most laptops, including Windows laptops. Normally, the power button on a laptop is a physical switch that requires direct contact for pressing.

   Alternative Solutions:​

2. Wake-on-LAN (WoL): This feature allows you to power on a computer remotely over a network. You could potentially set up WoL on your laptop and trigger the boot process from another device on the network.
3. Third-Party Tools: Some third-party applications might offer options for remotely powering on a computer, although these typically require the computer to be in a standby state rather than completely powered off.

   Recommendations for a Key:​

   • Key Assignments: If your second keyboard allows for programmable keys or macros, you might be able to assign a specific key to trigger a WoL command or perform a specific action that simulates the power button. This would vary based on the software and features available with your keyboard.

• Macro Key: A macro key assigned to this specific function could potentially serve as the power-on key, but it would require additional software or customization on the keyboard itself.

  Caution:​

• Be cautious when exploring third-party software or hardware modifications to achieve this functionality. It's important to ensure that any solutions you implement are safe and reliable. Unfortunately, directly mapping a key to physically power on the laptop when it's completely shut down is usually not a simple task due to hardware limitations and security considerations. If you have any specific keyboard model in mind that you are using as your second keyboard, I can help look into any software features it may offer for custom key mappings. Let me know if you need further assistance!