How to avoid standby?

"JMF" <jfavaro RemoveThis @tin.it> wrote in message
news:uOSR3m8sFHA.2392@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl
> I have a new WinXP Home Edition laptop (Sharp MP30).
>
> I've configured the power options so that it never goes into standby
> when it's hooked up to power.
>
> But it does anyway.
>
> In fact, no matter how I try to configure the power options, I can't
> keep it from going into standby after, oh, 20 minutes, 30 minutes,
> something like that. (When it has been idle, of course - it's not
> crazy enough to go into standby when I'm working)
>
> Now, this isn't fatal, but I'd like to find out how to do it. I have
> a vague recollection of reading that sometimes the computers
> themselves override the software's no-standby instructions and just
> do it anyway.
>
> Well, anyway, does somebody know something about this issue?
>
> Thanks for any ideas,
>
> John

Does it do this while on AC?

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE
Please respond in Newsgroup only. Do not send email
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Hi Unknown,

Yes, it can tell if the computer is on AC line or battery. At least, I see
the icon change when I plug it in. I've also tried pretty much all the
settings in the power options, including "never" for standby. I even
disabled hibernation to be sure nothing was going on there. I even set
standby to "5 hours" or something like that, and it still went into standby
after 20 minutes or 30 minutes or whatever it is. It's as though it's just
sitting there in one set of power option settings, and no matter what I do,
it stays there, ignoring all the power option settings I change.

As I said, it's not a disaster, but it sure is strange, and it's kind of a
pain in the neck to have to log in every time the computer has been sitting
there for a while.

John

"Unknown" <Unknown.TakeThisOut@Somewhere.Kom> wrote in message
news:ubFTe.2964$su7.163@newssvr24.news.prodigy.net...
> Not familar with Sharp. However does it know the difference between
battery
> operation or AC line? Did you try setting the standby minutes to 'never'?.
> "JMF" <jfavaro.TakeThisOut@tin.it> wrote in message
> news:uOSR3m8sFHA.2392@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> >I have a new WinXP Home Edition laptop (Sharp MP30).
> >
> > I've configured the power options so that it never goes into standby
when
> > it's hooked up to power.
> >
> > But it does anyway.
> >
> > In fact, no matter how I try to configure the power options, I can't
keep
> > it
> > from going into standby after, oh, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, something
like
> > that. (When it has been idle, of course - it's not crazy enough to go
into
> > standby when I'm working)
> >
> > Now, this isn't fatal, but I'd like to find out how to do it. I have a
> > vague
> > recollection of reading that sometimes the computers themselves override
> > the
> > software's no-standby instructions and just do it anyway.
> >
> > Well, anyway, does somebody know something about this issue?
> >
> > Thanks for any ideas,
> >
> > John
> >
> >
>
>

This message is not archived

"Frank Saunders, MS-MVP" <franksaunders.TakeThisOut@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:OYNUeJ9sFHA.2880@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> "JMF" <jfavaro.TakeThisOut@tin.it> wrote in message
> news:uOSR3m8sFHA.2392@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl
> > I have a new WinXP Home Edition laptop (Sharp MP30).
> >
> > I've configured the power options so that it never goes into standby
> > when it's hooked up to power.
> >
> > But it does anyway.
> >
> > In fact, no matter how I try to configure the power options, I can't
> > keep it from going into standby after, oh, 20 minutes, 30 minutes,
> > something like that. (When it has been idle, of course - it's not
> > crazy enough to go into standby when I'm working)
> >
> > Now, this isn't fatal, but I'd like to find out how to do it. I have
> > a vague recollection of reading that sometimes the computers
> > themselves override the software's no-standby instructions and just
> > do it anyway.
> >
> > Well, anyway, does somebody know something about this issue?
> >
> > Thanks for any ideas,
> >
> > John
>
> Does it do this while on AC?

Right - that's the mysterious thing. It does it even on AC.

John

Not sure if your computer complies with ACPI (Advanced Computer Power
Interface). However, have you tried configuring your computer (in power
options) as a desktop?
"JMF" <jfavaro RemoveThis @tin.it> wrote in message
news:eT7jjL9sFHA.2072@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>
> "Frank Saunders, MS-MVP" <franksaunders RemoveThis @mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:OYNUeJ9sFHA.2880@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> "JMF" <jfavaro RemoveThis @tin.it> wrote in message
>> news:uOSR3m8sFHA.2392@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl
>> > I have a new WinXP Home Edition laptop (Sharp MP30).
>> >
>> > I've configured the power options so that it never goes into standby
>> > when it's hooked up to power.
>> >
>> > But it does anyway.
>> >
>> > In fact, no matter how I try to configure the power options, I can't
>> > keep it from going into standby after, oh, 20 minutes, 30 minutes,
>> > something like that. (When it has been idle, of course - it's not
>> > crazy enough to go into standby when I'm working)
>> >
>> > Now, this isn't fatal, but I'd like to find out how to do it. I have
>> > a vague recollection of reading that sometimes the computers
>> > themselves override the software's no-standby instructions and just
>> > do it anyway.
>> >
>> > Well, anyway, does somebody know something about this issue?
>> >
>> > Thanks for any ideas,
>> >
>> > John
>>
>> Does it do this while on AC?
>
> Right - that's the mysterious thing. It does it even on AC.
>
> John
>
>

Unknown wrote:

> Not sure if your computer complies with ACPI (Advanced Computer Power
> Interface). However, have you tried configuring your computer (in
> power options) as a desktop?
> "JMF" <jfavaro RemoveThis @tin.it> wrote in message
> news:eT7jjL9sFHA.2072@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>>
>> "Frank Saunders, MS-MVP" <franksaunders RemoveThis @mvps.org> wrote in message
>> news:OYNUeJ9sFHA.2880@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>>> "JMF" <jfavaro RemoveThis @tin.it> wrote in message
>>> news:uOSR3m8sFHA.2392@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl
>>> > I have a new WinXP Home Edition laptop (Sharp MP30).
>>> >
>>> > I've configured the power options so that it never goes into
>>> > standby when it's hooked up to power.
>>> >
>>> > But it does anyway.
>>> >
>>> > In fact, no matter how I try to configure the power options, I
>>> > can't keep it from going into standby after, oh, 20 minutes, 30
>>> > minutes, something like that. (When it has been idle, of course -
>>> > it's not crazy enough to go into standby when I'm working)
(snip)

Configuring a laptop as a Desktop would be a really Bad Thing. The OP is
on the right track (thanks to his clever brother); there is undoubtedly
a power management program installed by Sharp that should be used to
set those options. Some laptop software is more upfront about it and
will tell you not to use the Windows power management but to use the
OEM software instead. Other laptops don't have that warning, but you
should always use the OEM power management software for a laptop.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

This message is not archived

How is it a bad thing? If using AC power the battery is not affected.
Thermals protect from excessive heat. Many friends keep their laptops on all
day long and have no problems. (I use a desktop). Define bad thing.
"Malke" <invalid RemoveThis @not-real.com> wrote in message
news:uifTpp9sFHA.3808@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Unknown wrote:
>
>> Not sure if your computer complies with ACPI (Advanced Computer Power
>> Interface). However, have you tried configuring your computer (in
>> power options) as a desktop?
>> "JMF" <jfavaro RemoveThis @tin.it> wrote in message
>> news:eT7jjL9sFHA.2072@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>>>
>>> "Frank Saunders, MS-MVP" <franksaunders RemoveThis @mvps.org> wrote in message
>>> news:OYNUeJ9sFHA.2880@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>>>> "JMF" <jfavaro RemoveThis @tin.it> wrote in message
>>>> news:uOSR3m8sFHA.2392@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl
>>>> > I have a new WinXP Home Edition laptop (Sharp MP30).
>>>> >
>>>> > I've configured the power options so that it never goes into
>>>> > standby when it's hooked up to power.
>>>> >
>>>> > But it does anyway.
>>>> >
>>>> > In fact, no matter how I try to configure the power options, I
>>>> > can't keep it from going into standby after, oh, 20 minutes, 30
>>>> > minutes, something like that. (When it has been idle, of course -
>>>> > it's not crazy enough to go into standby when I'm working)
> (snip)
>
> Configuring a laptop as a Desktop would be a really Bad Thing. The OP is
> on the right track (thanks to his clever brother); there is undoubtedly
> a power management program installed by Sharp that should be used to
> set those options. Some laptop software is more upfront about it and
> will tell you not to use the Windows power management but to use the
> OEM software instead. Other laptops don't have that warning, but you
> should always use the OEM power management software for a laptop.
>
> Malke
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

"Leythos" <void RemoveThis @nowhere.lan> wrote in message
news:MPG.1d88f4a6aec746ee989f31@news-server.columbus.rr.com...
> In article <#CASRF9sFHA.3604@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl>, jfavaro RemoveThis @tin.it
> says...
> > Hi Unknown,
> >
> > Yes, it can tell if the computer is on AC line or battery. At least, I
see
> > the icon change when I plug it in. I've also tried pretty much all the
> > settings in the power options, including "never" for standby. I even
> > disabled hibernation to be sure nothing was going on there. I even set
> > standby to "5 hours" or something like that, and it still went into
standby
> > after 20 minutes or 30 minutes or whatever it is. It's as though it's
just
> > sitting there in one set of power option settings, and no matter what I
do,
> > it stays there, ignoring all the power option settings I change.
> >
> > As I said, it's not a disaster, but it sure is strange, and it's kind of
a
> > pain in the neck to have to log in every time the computer has been
sitting
> > there for a while.
>
> Many times it's a battery issue or a communications issue. I've seen
> Belkin and APC units with bad communication cables do this, and I've
> also seen ones with a bad/weak battery cause this. Many times the unit
> will appear to be working perfectly, but then a subtle drop in line
> voltage, not enough to cause the system to reboot or maybe not even
> enough to see in the lights, will cause the UPS to supply power and if
> the battery is weak or bad, the unit will go to stand-by.

Interesting. OK, I'll monitor this aspect. Thanks!

John

My brother wrote this to me:

"This is usually because there is some other power management utility
overriding whatever you're using to make this setting - probably a Sharp
utility. This is true for my IBM. IBM has there own power management
utility that trumps whatever you try to set using the utility in
Windows."

And by golly, this is what I had vaguely been remembering: sometimes it's
the computer itself overriding the software. So I'm snooping around to see
if the Sharp laptop has its own power utility that's getting in the way.

John

Get this: I never did find any separate OEM power options utility, but:

Something occurred to me: at one point I noticed that when the screen saver
came on, it seemed to go into standby.

So I turned the screensaver off.

AT THE MOMENT (I'll need a bit of time to verify), the system seems to be
acting more or less like it's supposed to. For example, when I put
everything onto "never", it doesn't go into standby by itself any more, just
like it's supposed to be.

Then I told the screen to turn off (no screen saver) after 15 minutes. And
it did. And when I pressed SHIFT (for example) it came on - no standby -
again, just like it is supposed to.

So MAYBE the screensaver is/was the culprit. Of course, it still doesn't
really make any sense (I mean, why should the screensaver throw it into
standby?), but that SEEMS to be what's happening. I'll update again when I
get more info from my testing. Pretty strange stuff alright, but I'm happy
to see at least a little progress.

"JMF" <jfavaro DeleteThis @tin.it> wrote in message
news:OZtnhd9sFHA.3264@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> My brother wrote this to me:
>
> "This is usually because there is some other power management utility
> overriding whatever you're using to make this setting - probably a Sharp
> utility. This is true for my IBM. IBM has there own power management
> utility that trumps whatever you try to set using the utility in
> Windows."
>
> And by golly, this is what I had vaguely been remembering: sometimes it's
> the computer itself overriding the software. So I'm snooping around to see
> if the Sharp laptop has its own power utility that's getting in the way.
>
> John
>
>
>
>

"Leythos" <void DeleteThis @nowhere.lan> wrote in message
news:MPG.1d890572a3d5ee72989f3e@news-server.columbus.rr.com...
> In article <uifTpp9sFHA.3808 DeleteThis @TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl>, invalid DeleteThis @not-real.com
> says...
>> Configuring a laptop as a Desktop would be a really Bad Thing.
>
> I bought a 17" Wide Screen Toshiba with a real P4 that's hyper-threaded
> and has 1.5GB RAM, DVD-Burner, and a 80GB Drive - I use it to run XP
> Prof, MS SQL Server (MSDE), Office 2003 Prof, and all sorts of coding
> applications in addition to working on it about 9 hours per day.
>
> I use this as a primary workstation most days, even though I have two
> other systems at my desk. The only real drawback to using a laptop is
> the heat generated (usually near your palm/wrists) and performance
> factors like Slow Drives....
>
>
> --
>
> spam999free DeleteThis @rrohio.com
> remove 999 in order to email me

They are talking about the "Power schemes" settings in the Power Options
Properties window not actually using a laptop as a desktop replacement.

So, now I have had a chance to test what I wrote below, and now it does
indeed seem to work. So, in the spirit of this group where you're supposed
to pass on what you've learned, here is a summary:

I found that my laptop seemed to ignore the power option settings, no matter
what they were, and would go into standby mode after 20 minutes or so.

Several possible causes were mentioned in the thread, including faulty
communication of battery levels to the software.

One prominent cause is when the computer itself has its own power management
that ends up overriding the WinXP facilities. This happened to my brother on
an IBM laptop. And in fact it happened to me a few years ago on another
laptop. Often you will find such facilities in the "setup" that you get when
booting the computer, usually when pressing F2. (That's the way it was on my
old laptop)

But this time I found no such OEM facility - and so it appears not to have
been the cause.

However, I noticed at one point that system standby was coinciding with the
expiration of the screensaver. So I turned off the screensaver. From then
onwards, power management seems to have functioned correctly - I am now
relatively sure of this.

Of course, the fact that the screensaver would throw the system into standby
makes no sense -- it certainly shouldn't. But it seems to have been the
culprit in my case, and so if you find your power management functions
aren't responding, then you know that after looking for an OEM facility
overriding it you should turn off all screensaver activity as your next
move.

Thanks to all for your responses,

John

"JMF" <jfavaro RemoveThis @tin.it> wrote in message
news:OH9lJb%23sFHA.3236@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> Get this: I never did find any separate OEM power options utility, but:
>
> Something occurred to me: at one point I noticed that when the screen
saver
> came on, it seemed to go into standby.
>
> So I turned the screensaver off.
>
> AT THE MOMENT (I'll need a bit of time to verify), the system seems to be
> acting more or less like it's supposed to. For example, when I put
> everything onto "never", it doesn't go into standby by itself any more,
just
> like it's supposed to be.
>
> Then I told the screen to turn off (no screen saver) after 15 minutes. And
> it did. And when I pressed SHIFT (for example) it came on - no standby -
> again, just like it is supposed to.
>
> So MAYBE the screensaver is/was the culprit. Of course, it still doesn't
> really make any sense (I mean, why should the screensaver throw it into
> standby?), but that SEEMS to be what's happening. I'll update again when I
> get more info from my testing. Pretty strange stuff alright, but I'm happy
> to see at least a little progress.
>
> "JMF" <jfavaro RemoveThis @tin.it> wrote in message
> news:OZtnhd9sFHA.3264@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > My brother wrote this to me:
> >
> > "This is usually because there is some other power management utility
> > overriding whatever you're using to make this setting - probably a Sharp
> > utility. This is true for my IBM. IBM has there own power management
> > utility that trumps whatever you try to set using the utility in
> > Windows."
> >
> > And by golly, this is what I had vaguely been remembering: sometimes
it's
> > the computer itself overriding the software. So I'm snooping around to
see
> > if the Sharp laptop has its own power utility that's getting in the way.
> >
> > John
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>