Turning on your computer using an NFC tag and an Android device

[colonel_mortis]

A year ago, a reddit user figured out how to turn on your computer using an NFC tag, but it was a fairly complicated process and needs several apps. There is now an easier way!
 
Prerequisites:

• A computer that supports Wake-On-LAN and that is connected via ethernet (or a computer that supports Wake-On-WLAN connected to wifi) (Most motherboards support WOL, but not many support WOWL)
• An android device that can connect to the same router/switch as your computer
• NFC Tools Pro (£1.99/$3.49) and NFC Tasks (free, I think you need it) from the Google Play Store

Instructions:

• Make sure that Wake On LAN is enabled in your BIOS. If you're unsure as to how to do this, Google is your friend. With my sabertooth Z77, I had to wait a few minutes after turning off before I could get it to actually work.
• On your android device, open NFC Tools Pro and switch to the "TASKS" tab
• Tap "Add a task" -> "Network" -> "WOL"
• Enter the Broadcast IP of your network.

• If you're using Windows, open command prompt and type ipconfig, then scroll up until you find the network you are connected to (generally "Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection") and take the IPv4 Address and Subnet Mask from there.
• If you're using another OS, you will need to find your internal IP address, and the subnet mask of your network.
• Enter the IP address and subnet mask into this site (you can probably ignore subnet bits and maximum subnets), and read the "Broadcast Address" from the readout

Enter your MAC address.

Click details, then read the physical address. Note that you will have to replace the dashes "-" with colons ":"

Open the Network and Sharing Center and click "Local Area Connection" (or the name of your connection).

Press write, then approach an NFC tag. It will overwrite the current content of the NFC tag.

Now, any time your phone is unlocked and you approach the tag, it will turn on your computer. You could then stick this downstairs in your house, so when you come in you just use the tag and your computer will be on and waiting for you when you get to it.

[FloRolf]

Here is how i do it:

Leave the PC on 24/7.

On Topic: Still pretty cool imo.

[X1XNobleX1X]

So, I'm assuming I need a NFC tag for this?

Guess I'll have to buy one. 

[colonel_mortis]

So, I'm assuming I need a NFC tag for this?

Yes, but there is also a WOL app that you can use, although obviously you have to manually activate it https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.benfinnigan.wol

If you want NFC tags, I got a bunch from https://www.whiztags.com/ which were pretty cheap and good quality

[Rheinwasser]

this is cool.

i am doing this for sure.

[KamiKatze]

Badass! Doing this for sure! How do i find out if my router and my Mobo support WOL? doesn't sound like a feature that's typically advertised with the product.

[colonel_mortis]

Badass! Doing this for sure! How do i find out if my router and my Mobo support WOL? doesn't sound like a feature that's typically advertised with the product.

Your router does (it's just a network packet like any other), and your motherboard is likely to (this guy seems to have the same motherboard as you do in your sig (based on the snippet from google) http://youtu.be/2CGFvLgye3g?t=2m26s (2m26s is how to enable it I think)

[KamiKatze]

Your router does (it's just a network packet like any other), and your motherboard is likely to (this guy seems to have the same motherboard as you do in your sig (based on the snippet from google) http://youtu.be/2CGFvLgye3g?t=2m26s (2m26s is how to enable it I think)

 

Looks awesome! Will definiteley try that out after my vacation. Bookmarked and 'watch later'.

 

Thanks for creating this Thread. 

[X1XNobleX1X]

A year ago, a reddit user figured out how to turn on your computer using an NFC tag, but it was a fairly complicated process and needs several apps. There is now an easier way!

 

Now, any time your phone is unlocked and you approach the tag, it will turn on your computer. You could then stick this downstairs in your house, so when you come in you just use the tag and your computer will be on and waiting for you when you get to it.

I don't see WOL under tasks?

I see WIFI,Wifi Hotspot, Bluetooth, Bluetooth device, Mobile Data and Wifi Network. 

 

EDIT: Nevermind, restarted the app it was there.

[HellaflushMcSwaggins]

Does anyone know where in the BIOS I can activate WOL on a Z97MX-Gaming 5?

[colonel_mortis]

Does anyone know where in the BIOS I can activate WOL on a Z97MX-Gaming 5?

This thread on the Ubuntu forums http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2237532 indicates that it's not possible, at least at the moment, although it could be wrong or out of date.