Thread: ShutControl - Laptop Shutdown Controller Software

FAQ / Errors

Question: If my laptop battery doesn't charge or work, will this option still work for my install?
Not really, this software was designed to work with a semi functioning battery. If the battery will hold a charge for 5 mins or so, it will work perfect. If it doesn't hold a charge, you really need a hardware shutdown controller, or consider EWF/HORM options which may allow the cold shutdown.

Question: What is EWF/HORM
Please see http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/archi...01/273462.aspx. Or search threads on this forum.

Question: Can the PreHibernate app launch close programs?
Yes it can, and its very straightforward to do so. Click Add > C:\Windows\System32\Taskkill.exe. Then after adding it, double click it to add these switches C:\Windows\System32\Taskkill.exe /F /IM application.exe . Obviously change application.exe to the name of the application you would like closed.

Question: How do I upgrade from an older version?
It is simply a matter of running the Uninstall batch file, then downloading the latest version and letting it extract into the correct folder (C:\Program Files\ShutControl - default). Thats it!

Error: 0xc:0000135 or application failed to initialize properly.
If you are receiving this error, it sounds like the .NET framework is not installed, or not installed properly. Go to here to download it.

Error: System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
This error usually stems from a lot of things. In this instance, it is usually to do with the application not being able to source its INI file. All the paths for files are set absolute in the program, so it must reside in C:\Program Files\ShutControl\ . With contents ShutControl.exe, and the Config folder present. Uninstalling the old application (deleting all files and shortcuts - or use the uninstaller) then re-installing again with the latest version should solve this problem.

Error: System.IO.DirectoryNotFoundException: Could not find a part of the path "C:\Program Files\ShutControl\Config.ini".
It looks like the installation has failed somehow? Possibly because you don't have administrative rights - I have no idea. You can try downloading the file again and installing it again, if you are still experiencing the same problems try using the manual installation package, all the instructions are found in the README.txt

Revision History

ShutControl 2.21 Released!
* Auto Pause option added (for TurboBoos). When the power is removed, it will automatically pause WinAmp, and when the power is restored it will play again

ShutControl 2.2 Released!
* Alert label did not reset after each action - Corrected
* Battery level showed 0 hours when on external charger - Corrected
* When Hibernate countdown is cancelled resume apps did not load - Corrected
* Removed transparency on AppTimer window
* Changed Start Minimized to Discrete Mode as it was more appropriate
* Resume and PreHibernate app launch windows are minimized if "Discrete Mode" is enabled (for FRP)
* Changed AC Status to Power Source, and AC to External Charger (for FRP)
* Added 3 new buttons, Load PreHibernate Apps, Load Resume Apps and Donate button (for FRP)
* Rearranged main GUI to accomodate new buttons, now shows Date and Time in main box
* Added Cancel button and mapped ESC on App loading window

ShutControl 2.1 Released!
* Open file dialog on Resume App Launch did not specify file types - Corrected
* On resume from Hibernate, it did not load apps - Corrected
* Negative numbers we previously accepted for delays - Corrected
* You can specify the order in which software is loaded (for FRP)
* You can now specify individual delays per application, the delay time will count immediately after the main delay period has expired. (for FRP)
* Added error message prompts to prevent basic app crashes

ShutControl Vers 2.0 Released!
* Re-designed entire program from ground up, implemented new code and changed proceedures (runtime files no longer neccessary)
* Removed main menu and context menu as they were not t/s friendly and served little purpose, removing them removed overheads
* Changed all images and icons to reduce filesize
* Corrected fault with Start Minimized and X button
* Added delay periods for Pre-Hibernate app launch and Resume app launch
* Removed all references to EWF, the options available are Single Action and Multi Action
* Reduced file size from 456Kb to 304Kb
* Changed the tab indexes, so whole system is keyboard friendly
* Changed button properties so OK responds to Enter and Cancel responds to Esc
* Applications no longer launched by batch file, and now launched within the code itself (leaves room for monitoring crashed applications in future releases)
* Removed help file, this thread will be far better maintained for help issues

ShutControl Vers 1.4B Released!
* Added Auto-Mute option. When the laptop goes onto battery power, it will be muted until the AC is restored
* Allowed double click on listed applications to add options/switches
* Put example options of applications by default, the method to kill a task
* Added tips to a few items (hover over objects to see them)
* Removed X button due to incompatibilites, Quit is now done by menu or by clicking the AC/Battery picture
* Configuration menu tidied and added General options
* Optimised build for faster performance/fewer CPU cycles
* Updated about menu to version 1.4B

ShutControl Vers 1.31B Released!
* DLL file added for computers that do not have .NET SDK installed, otherwise software is non-functional
* Updated about menu to version 1.31B

ShutControl Vers 1.3B Released!
* Allowed change of control when under EWF, either Standby/Restart/Hibernate/Shutdown
* Updated about menu to version 1.3B

ShutControl Vers 1.2B Released!
* Made the system more touchscreen friendly by adding quick control buttons
* Changed power status images from default windows icons
* Added an interface to the batch files which run before and after hibernate
* Tray icon changes when minimized to reflect current power state
* Added context menu to tray icon to allow quick exit
*Added "Start Minimized" Option
* Updated about menu to version 1.2B

RJ45 Loopback Adaptor Method of Power Up



To correctly configure this, build the circuit as above. There is two relays - both turned on when the IGN is live. One relay cuts and supplies power to the AC adaptor (and screen in my case), and the other relay connects pins 2 and 6 (looking at the plug with the gold contacts facing up) of the RJ45 ethernet plug. Pins 1 and 3 must be soldered together permanently. This device is called a Loopback adaptor, and will not cause any damage to your laptop.

You then need to configure Windows to allow Wake On Link (not all network cards support it). Right Click "My Computer" > Select "Properties" > Select "Hardware" > Click "Device Manager" > Right Click Your Network Card > Select "Properties" > Select "Advanced" ...

Then you need to look for options relating to Wake On Link (WOL). On my network card (Intel), I had to Disable Intelligent Power Control and Force Wake On Link. You will need to find any options relating to the card's power usage (if there) and anything to do with it waking.

So the principal is, when pins 1+3 and 2+6 are connected, when the computer is off, it will turn itself on - without you requiring to turn on the laptop with the power button.

Something to bear in mind with this connection is that if you shutdown the computer with the IGN still live, it will not boot up again when pins 1+3 are connected. The computer *MUST* shutdown with all relays turned off.

Reserved

Thanks Blessani, it took me a while to update to 2.21 but it works perfect... Auto Pause is a great feature!

Your program is the icing to my cake. I'm surprised more people haven't discovered it yet.

Cheers

I will be using it shortly. looks excellent!

edit: why oh why did you have to use .net bloatware!! oh well

While I haven't installed the SW yet - I wanted to thank you for the diagram (and detailed instructions) for the WOL.

Exactly what I needed - I was fed up of having to open the trunk every time I got into my car! That Post should be "Sticky'ed"

Dave

no worries mate, glad it can be of use.

My installation is not working, can you help me blessani?

Here's the error:

Code:

See the end of this message for details on invoking 
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.IO.DirectoryNotFoundException: Could not find a part of the path "C:\Program Files\ShutControl\Config.ini".
   at System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String str)
   at System.IO.FileStream..ctor(String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, Int32 bufferSize, Boolean useAsync, String msgPath, Boolean bFromProxy)
   at System.IO.FileStream..ctor(String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, Int32 bufferSize)
   at System.IO.StreamReader..ctor(String path, Encoding encoding, Boolean detectEncodingFromByteOrderMarks, Int32 bufferSize)
   at System.IO.StreamReader..ctor(String path)
   at ShutControl.MainGui.GFC(String FullPath, Int32 j)
   at ShutControl.MainGui.MainGui_Load(Object eventSender, EventArgs eventArgs)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
    Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0
    Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.573
    CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/microsoft.net/framework/v1.1.4322/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
ShutControl
    Assembly Version: 1.0.2435.24584
    Win32 Version: 1.0.2435.24584
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Programas/ShutControl/ShutControl.exe
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
    Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0
    Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.573
    CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/system.windows.forms/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.windows.forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
    Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0
    Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.573
    CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/system/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
    Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0
    Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.573
    CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/system.drawing/1.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/system.drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
Microsoft.VisualBasic
    Assembly Version: 7.0.5000.0
    Win32 Version: 7.10.3052.4
    CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/microsoft.visualbasic/7.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/microsoft.visualbasic.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just in time (JIT) debugging, the config file for this
application or machine (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
    <system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the machine
rather than being handled by this dialog.

I have .net framework 1.1 and 2.0 installed (for centrafuse and shutcontrol)