Method and system for conserving power and improving usability for personal computers with remote startup features

A method for remotely powering up a computer, comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving a telephone call by a modem coupled to a powered down computer;
• (b) obtaining an originator's telephone number of the telephone call by a caller ID controller of the modem;
• (c) storing the originator's telephone number in a PCI register space of the modem;
• (d) generating a wake signal by the modem to a BIOS of the computer;
• (e) obtaining the originator's telephone number from the PCI register space by the BIOS;
• (f) comparing the originator's telephone number with a plurality of authorized telephone numbers by the BIOS;
• and
• (g) proceeding with a power start up process of the computer by the BIOS, if the originator's telephone number matches one of the plurality of authorized telephone numbers.

A system, comprising:

• a powered down computer, wherein the computer comprises a BIOS;
• and
• a modem coupled to the powered down computer for receiving a telephone call, wherein the modem comprises:
• a caller ID controller for determining an originator's telephone number for the telephone call, and
• a PCI register space, wherein the originator's telephone number is stored in the PCI register space,
• wherein the modem generates a wake signal to the BIOS when the model receives the telephone call,
• wherein the BIOS determines if the originator's telephone number matches one of a plurality of authorized telephone numbers,
• wherein the BIOS powers up the computer if the originator's telephone number matches one of the plurality of authorized telephone numbers.