I've got a small media server that sits under my TV, and it runs Ubuntu 11.04 desktop x64 with XBMC on top. I've got a problem in that unknowing users / visitors occasionally press the power button 'just to see what happens'. Ubuntu dutifully intercepts this and either sleeps or halts.
This is really annoying.
One possible option is to just disconnect the power button from the motherboard, as I've done with the reset button. However, I'd still like to be able to power it back on if I choose to halt it myself, for whatever reason, or if it completely locks up.
How can I get Ubuntu to effectively 'ignore' people randomly prodding at the power button while it's turned on?
Bruno Pereira has made a thorough post about the power button and how to customize the actions. In short: By using dconf-editor (either you'll have it or you'll need to install it) and navigate to org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/power and choose power-button as blank.