During operation, an electronic device may receive, associated with a computer, a packet or a frame that includes a dynamic power reset pattern, where the dynamic power reset pattern specifies temporal pattern of power resets. Then, the electronic device may detect multiple power resets, where a given detected power reset in the detected power resets involves activation of a power reset button in the electronic device. Moreover, the electronic device may compute a detected power reset pattern, where the detected power reset pattern includes a detected temporal pattern of detected power resets. Next, the electronic device may compare the dynamic power reset pattern and the detected power reset pattern. Furthermore, based at least in part on a result of the comparison, the electronic device may at least selectively provide, to the computer, the result of the comparison.