NOTE: You, the customer, are solely responsible for data security. WinBook strongly recommends that you perform a backup of all personal data contained on your system prior to performing this procedure. Warning: WinBook will NOT be held responsible for any data loss incurred during this process.

Things to remember:

Power management settings are designed to take effect when the unit is completely idle and is not busy with an operation. Some programs in Windows can have drivers running in the background that can keep the unit active even though the user is not at the keyboard or performing an operation at the time. This can cause power management functions to activate and then immediately return the unit to a normal use status or not even active power management functions at all. Additionally, if the unit is attached to a network, the network card is typically communicating with the network server in the background even if the user is not transferring a file or using a network based application.

If you are having trouble with power management settings in the BIOS taking effect when you have specified them, try some of the following steps to correct this. (All of these tests should be run with the desired power management functions set to the lowest possible timeout offered in the BIOS for the purpose of speeding up the tests. Once the functionality of the settings have been verified you can adjust the to the times you desire.)

Turn your unit on watch for the white DOS text message that says "Starting Windows 95…". When you the message quickly press the F8 key several times to bring up the Microsoft Start up menu. From the menu pick the number that corresponds to "Safe Mode Command Prompt Only" and press enter. At the C:\> prompt, time the unit to see if the power management settings activate around the times specified in the BIOS. If this works then the hardware is functioning properly and would indicate a software problem within Windows 95.

If the power management functions operate in DOS, shut off the unit, wait 5 seconds and turn it back on. Let it boot fully into Windows 95. At the desktop, press Ctrl+Alt+Del at the same time. This will bring up the Close Program Menu. This menu shows all currently loaded programs and related drivers. The only two that must be in this list to run Windows 95 are Explorer and Systray. The rest should be closed out. To do this, single click on the first of the other listed files or programs and then click on End Task. This will close the menu. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del again to bring it back up. The file you clicked on should be gone. Proceed down the list until just Explorer and Systray are left. When they are the only two left, click cancel to close the menu. Let the unit sit idle and see if the power management settings will activate. In most cases the unit will operate as it is supposed to, indicating one of the files that were just closed out is keeping the system active. If it does operate as desired, restart your computer and go through this process again, but only End Task on one item at a time and then test to see if the power management features activate. This will tell you which program or file is keeping the unit active. Contact the program manufacturer to see if there is any way to change the behavior of the program.

If you have any questions or additional trouble, contact WinBook Technical Support for further assistance.

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Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you as a service from the Technical Support Department of WinBook Computers. It is intended to assist you in the resolution of your technical problems or questions. If you feel uncomfortable implementing any of the information or suggestions contained herein then you should e-mail the WinBook Technical Support Department. WinBook will not be held responsible for any loss of information, data or programming as a result of the use of this TechNote.