How do I shut down with no monitor? (Vista)

Crabman

Hey guys,

Our DELL monitor has died (only 6 months old - warranty replacement on the way) but the problem I have is that the computer is now switched on.

Stupidly I had not programmed the power button on the tower to shut down instead of sleep. So, I'm trying to shut it down using keyboard shortcuts.

I've googled around and found this site which lists the shortcuts in Vista.

Tried: Windows Key + Right Arrow (x3) + U

However this isn't working - could I ask a huge favour and ask anyone with vista to see whether this is the right combination to use or find a combo that will do the trick?

If it helps, I'd configured the sleep icon (on the left of the lock button) and changed it to a shut down symbol, so if you can let me know how to select that button, it should hopefully work!

I would use trial and error but if I accidentally click "lock" or "switch user" I'm going to cause more problems getting back to the desktop!

(using an old faithful laptop for this )

Cheers :beer:

ormus

windows key, then, right (arrow) 3 times, and finally enter.
or
same as above but finally, U.

BillScarab

It doesn't give the heads on the hard drive time to park though if you power off at the wall. It probably won't cause a problem but there is always a risk.

So if you press and hold the power button for 10-20 seconds it doesn't power off? That's normally the default action.

Crabman

I thought switching off without shut down could cause probs, but it doesn't matter because the Win > Right (3x) > U has worked ("enter" didn't, for some strange reason).

First thing I'm doing when the new monitor arrives is configure the power button to shut down :rolleyes: I'm not a fan of this "you shouldn't bother to shut down, just put it to sleep instead" culture being pushed by MS & Vista.

Sorry Bill just saw your post I didn't think of that as I was under the impression that's the same as pulling the plug at the back

Cheers :beer:

oldagetraveller

ts_aly2000 wrote: »

Look. Power Cut = Off. Accidently turning off the computer = Off.

Just switch the damn thing off.

You've been brainwashed by Microsoft for the last 10-years. If operating systems were that delicate then you wouldn't even dare switch it on in the first place.

Plug. Socket. Off.

Can't disagree with that!
Here in the "sticks" we are prone to the odd powercut without warning (don't know why). This has never appeared to have done any lasting damage to two tower and one laptop computers' hardware, OS or software.
This has to be just the same as pulling the plug - so just do it!

BillScarab

Sorry, I've spent 20+ years in IT and I've seen disks crash due to power failures. It may not be so much of an issue nowadays but it is still a risk, even if if it is a tiny one.

BritBrat

Press the power on button in, wait until the computer switches off then release it.

EDIT:

Sorry never noticed BillScarab already said that.

startrekker

BillScarab wrote: »

Sorry, I've spent 20+ years in IT and I've seen disks crash due to power failures. It may not be so much of an issue nowadays but it is still a risk, even if if it is a tiny one.

Agree to a certain extent on this. However, for weeks and weeks I was having a problem with my main pc, always getting the same messages, windows shut down unexpectedly, re-start in safe mode etc etc.
I had the thing to bits testing ram, motherboard, cpu...... Then noticed my youngest one day, calmly swithching the monitor off then sticking his little grubby finger on the power button:mad: .... it was him all along....it didnt kill the hard drive.....I didnt kill him either