Power options - Control panel

[Leenie]

We have some users here who go into standby mode even though we have the power options set to always on and never off. I realize they're logged off so maybe they're settings aren't being used, but other users are logged off and they don't go into standby. How can I get the power options to stay on for these users once they've logged off?
Thanks.

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[bcastner]

And the BIOS settings power options?

 

[Leenie]

I have that disabled as well.

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[Nelviticus]

I realize they're logged off so maybe they're settings aren't being used

I think that's the key. I'm not exactly sure how XP behaves when no-one is logged in but I suspect that it uses the settings in the default user profile.

This Microsoft article shows you how to change the default user profile:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=319974

I'd be interested to know whether that works as if it does it will confirm which settings XP uses when there are no users logged in, which is something I've always been curious about.

Regards

Nelviticus

 

[bcastner]

Nelviticus is correct that the Power Options are set in the registry hive for individual users, as well as for the Default User, which is essentially the user state for the machine while waiting for a logon.

Before detailing the registry for the Default settings, do you happen to be using a Screen Saver? Many, not all, screen savers contain ACPI calls to control essentially the power behavior of the machine while active.

 

[Leenie]

We are using the default Windows XP screensaver that comes on after 10 minutes (when the user is logged in).

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[bcastner]

See if the XP utility powercfg.exe can help:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q324347

This is in part sheer laziness on my part, as I recently wrote here a script to adjust the registry entries for the power configuration settings of the default user, but as the site search facility is not available at the moment, you can search on "power options" when it is restored and should find the script. The above utility will let you examine and change the existing power configuration options.

 

[Leenie]

That link says it's for Windows Server 2003. Is it okay to use for XP?

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[bcastner]

Yes.

And knowing you will not take my word alone as gospel:

http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBL/tip5500/rh5594.htm

 

[Leenie]

Of course I'll take your word. My nickname for you here is smartypants cause you always know the answer.

So I tried it on her pc and it says always on... However she's logged in so I guess it would say that.

I guess I need to change the default user profile as Nelviticus mentions.

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[bcastner]

And as this is a good opportunity:

If you have a notebook using an Intel processor with stepping, there is a terrific freeware utility that allows you to control the stepping event triggers, and overall control of power options in a much more detailed way than the native Control Panel, Power Options GUI interface.

The MSFT utility discussed above offers an advanced user the ability to make these same changes, but by no means is it intuitive to use.

Consider this terrific freeware find:

http://www.diefer.de/speedswitchxp/

 

[bcastner]

Colleen,

When the site search returns I will repost an edited versiion of a script (which you can easily modify as well) for changing the default power configuration options.

I and I have it on reliable authority that the nickname you use around the Milton Public library is not "smartypants" but "bonehead".

Best,
Bill

 

[Leenie]

I'll fool around with her settings after lunch.
Thanks (as usual) for all you help.

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[Leenie]

Bill,
If the default user is the user state of the machine while waiting for a logon, if I just set the power options while logged on as default that should do it right? When no one is logged in it should use the default settings I just set right?

TGIF

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[bcastner]

Well, you really cannot logon as the "Default user." (Albeit there is a default logon). I did not by the way create this confusion.

If I understand the question (for once), what you want to do is modify the default user profile. Logon as an Administrator user of any kind, and replace the true "Default user" settings:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;156568

 

[Leenie]

Okay, I'll try that. I was just trying to make it as easy for myself as possible. I'm lazy. So even though I log on as "default" with the domain being the name of the pc (not our network domain) that really isnt' the default user?

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[bcastner]

You got it.

You cannot logon as a user with the end result being the "Default Profile", but you can logon in the absence of other choices as the Default user.

(Not my fault, I did not write XP). In addition to my link above as to how to copy Administrator logon settings to any user, including the "Default User" consider:

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=168475

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...crosoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;156568

Unlikely to apply in this instance, but a "must know" issue for any profile copy:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307910

One more warning worth noting:

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...crosoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;156568

Hoping I have not scared you, the following is now how I would approach the issue:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q305709

Bill Castner

 

[Leenie]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Your last name really isn't Castner is it. Gates...maybe?

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[bcastner]

My 14-year old daughter prefers "bonehead".

 

[Leenie]

Do I have to create a new user or can I copy the settings of any user (whose settings I already like) to the default profile?

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library