I have an HP iPAQ 1910, and it keeps turning on when it's in my bag. I
think the problem is that the hardware buttons, rather than the power
button, are getting accidentally pressed, which makes the PocketPC
turns on, and drains the battery.  I want to find a way to make it so
that the hardware buttons (calendar, contacts, tasks, today) don't
make it turn on.

This software seems to due what you want (and much more) for only $9.99

http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=7324

google search terms: 1910 keylock

--jeff

This doesn't do what I want--it disables the hardware buttons
entirely, even when the iPaq is on.  There isn't an option for doing
this only when it's off.  Thanks anyway.

To disable the hardware buttons only when the iPAQ is off, please
follow these steps:

1) Click the start menu
2) Click settings
3) Click Buttons
4) On the tab down the bottom, click Lock
5) Under the "When device in Standby" check the "Disable the
application buttons" checkbox
6) Click OK in the top right-hand corner, all done!

Hope this answers your question.

It looks like this isn't a feature of my operating system (Pocket
Windows 2002)--there isn't a "lock" tab in that setting at all.  And,
unfortunately, it's more or less impossible to upgrade my OS to Pocket
Windows 2003, afaik.

Thanks anyway.

Hi lindy_donna,

On my HP Jornada Pocket Pc, there is a setting under the power setting
to disable auto power on with a button press. Did you check the power
settings under the Start->Settings section. If you look around for it
there should be a setting for it.

If not here's a last ditch solution:

Go to Start -> Settings -> Buttons and select the button you want to disable. 
Then select <None> for its function. 
Repeat these steps for as many buttons as you want to disable.