Dell Dimension E520, Owner'S Manual

Page: 26 / 162

26
Setting Up and Using Your Computer
Power Options Properties
Define your standby mode settings, hibernate mode settings, and other power settings in the Power
Options Properties window. To access the Power Options Properties window:
1
Click the Start button and click Control Panel .
2
Under Pick a category , click Performance and Maintenance .
3
Under or pick a Control Panel icon , click Power Options .
4
Define your power settings on the Power Schemes tab, Advanced tab, and Hibernate tab.
Power Schemes Tab
Each standard power setting is called a scheme. If you want to select one of the standard Windows
schemes installed on your computer, choose a scheme from the
Power schemes drop-down menu. The
settings for each scheme appear in the fields below the scheme name. Each scheme has different settings
for starting standby mode or hibernate mode, turning off the monitor, and turning off the hard drive.
The Power schemes drop-down menu displays the following schemes:
• Always On (default) — If you want to use your computer with no power conservation.
• Home/Office Desk — If you use your computer as a home or office computer and you require minimal
power conservation.
• Presentation — If you want your computer to run without interruption (using no power conservation).
• Minimal Power Management — If you want your computer to run with minimal power conservation.
• Max Battery — If your computer is a portable computer and you run your computer from batteries for
extended periods of time.
If you want to change the default settings for a scheme, click the drop-down menu in the Turn off
monitor , Turn off hard disks , System stand by , or System hibernates field, and then select a time-out
from the displayed list. Changing the time-out for a scheme field permanently changes the default
settings for that scheme, unless you click
Save As and enter a new name for the changed scheme.
NOTICE:
If you set the hard drive (hard disk) to time-out before the monitor does, your computer may appear to be
locked up. To recover, press any key on the keyboard or click the mouse. To avoid this problem, always set the
monitor to time-out before the hard drive.
Advanced Tab
The Advanced tab allows you to:
• Place the power options icon in the Windows taskbar for quick access.
• Set the computer to prompt you for your Windows password before the computer exits from standby
mode or hibernate mode.
• Program the power button to activate standby mode, activate hibernate mode, or turn off the
computer.
To program these functions, click an option from the corresponding drop-down menu and click OK .