Hi Ken,
"Hacking" though a scary reference that most often is associated with bad-guy activity, is in fact a term of pride carried by advanced and knowledgeable computer experts. In its "favorable" frame of reference, "Hacking" is not exclusively related to gaining access to computers, networks, or information that the ordinary user is not supposed to be able to obtain. As in "hacking into a website to steal addresses and credit card information" <– that's bad stuff.
A "Hacker" may be expert at modifying the firmware of a local Router to cause it to perform at better efficiency, port forward to join online activities and the like. Another "hacker" may be expert at "hacking" (re-writing and removing bloated unnecessary computer code lines) software code to develop prompter response time, more powerful and specific manipulation of data, image components, encoding of video/audio media, etc. The list would go on and on, for every special area of computing…. there are those who consider themselves to be "hackers" in their specialty.
Seems like your are inquiring about the basic and general operation of your machine, and perhaps other machines that you work with. Since you have work experience in Networking, I would be surprised if you don't already have advanced certification.
Probably the "entry level" certification is known as A+ certification and can be obtained in a couple of years at a local community college. There are some "online" A+ cert programs, but I think you would be better off seeking a brick and mortar academic setting.
You are certainly welcome to ask whatever questions you may have about your machine.
We do not provide assistance to commercial enterprises (businesses) that ought to have their own IT department.
But we know that even many businesses run into situations when they need to call upon other knowledgeable folks to investigate and solve some obscure problem. We won't "slam the door" on you. But please be specific when your question may be related to a commercial enterprise.
As to why your machine turns itself on………
You probably have your BIOS/CMOS set to "Wake on LAN" ???? maybe?
Tell us more about your machine and the functions that you wish to learn about.
This post may help you in organizing how you ask your questions:
http://forums.whatthetech.com/index.php?act=SR&f=119
I'm going to move your Topic over to the Windows Forum, just for starters, until we get a better idea of what you seek.
Best Regards
