[svlug] Help: computer won't stay off (slightly OT)

[Joel Seidman]

(The computer in question has Kubuntu installed, so that's the tie to Linux.)

It's an older IBM Netfinity 3000, originally designed for use as a server, I
think. Nice box. I acquired it thinking to use as a second home computer when
the main one is in use. It's on a power strip that gets turned off at night,
and on occasionally for other things. I DON'T want the computer to boot when
the strip is turned on. I only want it to boot when I push its power button. 

Whether or not the computer will boot when the power strip is turned on is
unpredictable (so far, for me). Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't.
Even when it doesn't boot up, it first seems to start up, then goes off again
(which would be OK if consistent). With experimenting, I THINK it won't boot if
turned off with the power switch, but does if it was last shut down by OS
software.

I've tried a lot of different BIOS settings and none seems to consistently work
exactly like I'm hoping. I know there are some server-experienced people on
this list, and hope that someone familiar with this beast could give me some
suggestions -- or tell me it's hopeless.

(Bypassing the power strip may be one option, but currently I don't have a
spare wall outlet. I'm hoping for a fix within the existing hardware setup.)

TIA.

-- Joel

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