How you turn on a touch screen device depends partly on the operating system and partly on the hardware. For Windows touch screen devices, touching the screen can bring it out of Sleep mode, however it won't work if the PC has been powered down. Even power buttons vary depending on the device. Sometimes you can simply push the button; But with tablets, you may need to hold the power button down for five seconds. If you have just connected a new touch screen monitor to a computer, Windows should detect it automatically. However, if it isn't responding, you may have to calibrate it first.
Turning on a PC Touchscreen
Step 1
Touch the screen first. If the device is in Sleep mode, simply touching the screen can wake it up. You may be prompted to enter your Windows password, or not, depending on how long the device has been asleep. If it was in Standby mode, a password isn't required.
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Step 2
Look for the power button, if touching the screen doesn't wake up the PC. On tablets, like the Microsoft Surface and most Asus tablets, it's usually on the edge of the device. If there are three buttons, the two that look the same would be the volume buttons and the third, usually a bit larger, is the power button. On a laptop, the power button may be on the edge, or near the keyboard, and is usually marked with the universal power symbol -- an open circle with a line. On desktop computers, the power button is usually on the front of the computer case.
Step 3
For laptops and desktops, press the power button and release it. For tablets, press and hold the button for about five seconds. If this doesn't work, make sure the device is plugged into a power supply and try again. Some tablets need to be plugged in for half an hour or so before they can be turned on, if the battery has been completely drained.
Activating a New Touch Screen
Step 1
Connect the touch screen monitor to your Windows 8 PC and then turn on both the PC and the monitor. Tap the screen to log in or to activate an app. If nothing happens, you need to configure the Windows Touch settings.
Step 2
Direct the cursor to the bottom right corner of the screen with your mouse and move it up. Click "Settings," then "Change PC Settings." Select "PC and Devices," then click "PC Info." Look at the Pen and Touch setting to be certain touch is enabled. If it isn't, check the manufacturer's support website to see if you require new drivers.
Step 3
Open the Search charm again and type "Calibrate" in the Search field. Select "Calibrate the Screen for Pen or Touch Input." Make sure the display being shown is the monitor you are using.
Step 4
Click Calibrate, and then click "Setup." Follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate your touch screen monitor.
Warning
Information in this article applies to Windows 8.1 desktops, laptops and tablets. It may vary slightly or significantly with other versions or products.