Wake the computer to run

Wake the computer to run is a setting on each scheduled task, on by default for new tasks. While it is on, Oda keeps a wake entry in Windows for the task, set to wake your computer shortly before each run, so a run can still happen when the computer would otherwise be asleep. To create or change tasks, see Schedule recurring tasks.

How waking works

• When you save a task with Wake the computer to run on, Oda registers a wake entry for it in Windows Task Scheduler.
• The entry wakes the computer shortly before the run. It does nothing else: it exits at once, and Windows allows it one minute.
• Oda registers and removes the entries for your signed-in user, without administrator rights, and the entries never run elevated.

When waking works

Waking needs all of these:

• The computer runs Windows. Waking is a Windows feature.
• The computer is plugged in. The wake entry does not start on battery power, and it stops if the computer switches to battery.
• You are signed in. The entry runs only for your signed-in session.
• Wake timers are allowed. With Allow wake timers turned off in the computer's power settings, Windows does not wake the computer for the task.
• Modern Standby computers may stay asleep: Windows may not wake them for a timer, and the task page shows may not wake for timers.

Check waking on your computer

Open the task from Scheduled in the sidebar and read its wake status. It reports four things:

• Whether waking is supported on this computer.
• Whether wake timers are allowed in the computer's power settings.
• Whether the computer uses Modern Standby, which may not wake for timers.
• Whether the computer is running on battery.

See Oda's wake entries in Windows

1. Open Task Scheduler on Windows.
2. Look under the DataMind Oda folder: Oda's entries sit in a subfolder named with eight hexadecimal digits, and each entry is described as Wakes the computer for the DataMind Oda scheduled task "…".

The entries follow the task: Pause removes the entry, Resume registers it again, and Delete removes it for good.

Questions, answered

Why did my computer not wake for a run?

Waking works only when the computer runs Windows, is plugged in, is signed in, and allows wake timers; a Modern Standby computer may not wake for timers at all. Check that Wake the computer to run is still on for the task, then open the task and read its wake status. If the computer slept through a slot, the run history records what happened; see Scheduled runs and history.

Does waking work on battery power?

No. The wake entry starts only while the computer is plugged in, and it stops if the computer switches to battery. The task page shows the current battery state.

Will the computer wake if I am signed out?

No. The wake entry runs only while you are signed in; it does not wake the computer from the sign-in screen.

What does may not wake for timers mean?

It is the task page's note for a computer using Modern Standby, a low-power sleep mode on some computers. Windows may not deliver timer wakes on these machines, so the computer may stay asleep at a run's time.

Where are the wake entries in Windows Task Scheduler?

Oda's entries sit under a DataMind Oda folder, in a subfolder named with eight hexadecimal digits; each entry is described as Wakes the computer for the DataMind Oda scheduled task "…".

Does waking need administrator rights?

No. Oda registers and removes wake entries as your signed-in user, no administrator prompt appears, and the entries never run with administrator rights.

Can I turn waking off for one task?

Yes. Open the task and choose Edit, then turn Wake the computer to run off. The task then runs only while the computer is awake and Oda is running. Turn it back on to register the wake entry again.

What happens to the wake entry when I pause or delete a task?

Pause removes the task's wake entry and Resume registers it again. Delete removes the entry for good.

Does the wake entry run my task?

No. The entry only wakes the computer, then exits; Windows allows it one minute. The task itself runs as any scheduled run does.