How can I get computer to automatically turn itself on each morning?

My operating system is windows xp. I would like my computer to automatically turn itself on (power up) each morning at 6:30 am. Does anyone know how to do this or of a freeware software program that would permit me to create such a setting?

 

Enter your BIOS on startup, go to the Power Management section and you might possibly find an option there to allow the computer to turn on at a given time.
Different computers use different ways to access the BIOS, see below for a list of many of them.

http://www.cyberwalker.net/faqs/reinstall-reformat-winxp/enter-BIOS.html

 

Automatically wake a hibernating Windows XP machine

Thanks. I searched Dell XP wake up and found

From http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-10877-6073491.html#

If you use the Windows XP's Hibernation feature on your laptop or desktop to put your system to sleep at the end of the day rather turning it off, you can schedule your system to "wake up" in the morning. When you do so, your machine is ready and waiting for you just as if you left it on all night. (Note: This tip applies to both Home and Professional editions.) Here's how to set up this schedule:

1. Go to Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Scheduled Tasks.
2. Launch the Scheduled Task Wizard by double-clicking Add Scheduled Task.
3. Click Next and select the program that you want to start when your system wakes up. Click Next.
4. In the following three screens, select the Daily option, the time that you want your system to wake up, and then type a username and password with Administrative privileges.
5. On the last page, select the Open Advanced Properties check box and click Finish.
6. When you see the Properties dialog box for the scheduled task, choose the Setting tab and select the Wake The Computer To Run This Task check box.
7. Click OK.
8. Now, you're computer will be ready and waiting for you each morning.

Some comments from that thread:
Remember that the PC is hibernating. If you automatically "wake up" your PC in the morning, but it happens to be a holyday, it will be on just the time of inactivity that you have set on the microsoft power options screen. Besides, if you use this screen wisely, you can set a time of inactivity to turn off the monitor (which is one of the most power demanding items on a PC set-up)and even the hard disk(s) before the hibernation. That tip is not a waste of power but a nice way of having your PC waiting for you at the beginning of the day, specially when you load a bunch of "side kick" programs at start up.

------------------

and from


From http://www.quepublishing.com/articles/article.asp?p=31105&seqNum=3&rl=1

Many such systems also have the option of setting a wake-up time, at which the PC can automatically turn itself on to perform scheduled tasks. These signals also can enable the optional use of the keyboard to power the system on—exactly like Apple systems. Users can enable these features because the 5v Standby power is always active, giving the motherboard a limited source of power even when off. Check your BIOS Setup for control over these features.

 

Nice find thai american.

Just remember, hybernation isn't exactly the same thing as shutting down. It's a great little time saver and energy saver, but make sure that you restart for real every now and then.

 

I'd recommend using a UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) for anyone leaving their PC on all the time, particularly if you live in an area with dodgy power.
Brownouts, blackouts, outages, etc.

If storms are around, unplug your PC from the AC power socket altogether.
I would never leave my PC on all the time, anywhere anytime, but that is just me. Bazza