Simple tips save power and the environment

Get the best from your BIOS
To make sure you’re getting the greatest power savings from Windows’ suspend feature, follow the steps below. Specifics are not possible for all steps, since setup screens vary from one BIOS to the next.

Step 1. Save all open documents and restart your computer.

Step 2. Follow whatever prompts you see on your screen to enter Setup. Usually this involves pressing Delete or a function key.

Step 3. In Setup, locate the page or screen associated with power settings. It may be labeled something like Power or Power Management Setup.

Step 4. When you find the proper screen, highlight the setting related to suspend mode. It may have a label like ACPI Standby State or Suspend Mode.

Step 5. Change this setting to S3. The option may be labeled “S3 only” or “S3/STR” (for Suspend To RAM).

Step 6. Follow the instructions on screen for saving your settings and restarting your computer.

Work it with Windows
Now make sure Windows is using suspend mode when you’re not working.

Follow these steps for Windows XP:

Step 1. Open the Power Options control panel.

Step 2. On the Power Schemes tab, click the System Standby drop-down list under Plugged in. Select how long your system should be idle before starting suspend mode — for example, After 30 mins. Click OK.

Follow these steps for Windows Vista:

Step 1. Open the Power Options control panel.

Step 2. In the task list on the left, click Change when the computer sleeps.

Step 3. Click the Put the computer to sleep drop-down list under Plugged In. Choose the period of inactivity after which suspend mode should start — for example, 30 minutes. Click Save changes.

Give suspend a nudge

Windows sometimes interprets background tasks (like network activity) incorrectly and remains awake when it should go into suspend mode.

If you have that problem, a simple program called CO2 Saver may help. Once installed, it sits on your desktop and shows how much CO2 you (and other users) have saved by using suspend mode.

Figure 1. Snap CO2 Saver puts Windows into sleep mode even when the operating system wrongly believes there is activity.

To make CO2 Saver encourage Windows’ suspend mode, click the Options link at the right end of CO2 Saver. (If you don’t see the Options link, click the right-arrow to expand the toolbar.) With the Power Saving tab in front, choose Custom from the drop-down list. Then click the link below. In the Custom Power Saving dialog box, check Initiate sleep mode if system doesn’t sleep automatically. Click OK twice.

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This entry was posted on Friday, November 16th, 2007 at 8:05 am and is filed under Computer. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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