How to Turn on Standby in Windows XP

Microsoft Windows XP uses two modes to manage power consumption. Hibernation shuts the computer down after saving all of the information that is currently in memory to the hard drive. The standby mode requires more power than hibernation, but since the computer is not shut down, there is no need to copy the information in memory to the hard drive. The computer is ready to use as soon as you bring it out of standby mode. In Windows XP, you can put your computer in standby mode either manually or automatically.

Instructions

Manual Standby

1. Click "Start" on the taskbar to open the "Start" menu. Alternately, you can press the Windows icon key on your keyboard to open the "Start" menu.

2. Click "Turn Off Computer" on the "Start" menu. A window will appear that gives you the option to either restart the computer, turn it off or put it in standby mode.

3. Click the yellow "Standby" button. If you hold the "Shift" key, the button changes from "Standby" to "Hibernate."

Automatic Standby

1. Right-click on the desktop and click "Properties" on the pop-up menu to bring up the "Display Properties" window.

2. Click on the "Screen Saver" tab and then the "Power..." button on the lower right to bring up the "Power Options Properties" window.

3. Choose a time to wait before putting the computer in standby mode on the "System Shutdown" selection. For example, if you choose "20 mins," the computer will automatically go into standby mode after 20 minutes of inactivity.

4. Click "OK" on the "Power Options Properties" window and then click "OK" on the "Display Properties" window.