Conserve Batteries

Use Hibernate and Standby to Conserve Batteries

Fast User Switching can be turned-on with Windows XP Professional only when your computer is not part of a domain.

Power Options in Control Panel lets you adjust any power management option that your computer's unique hardware configuration supports. These options vary widely from computer to computer. Power Options automatically detects what is available on your computer and shows you only the options that you can control.

ACPI-If you are not sure whether your computer is ACPI-compliant, check your manufacturer's documentation. During Windows Setup, ACPI is installed only if all components present during Setup support power management.

The Hibernate function in Windows XP Professional can make the batteries in your laptop computer last longer.

Windows XP supports the industry standard power management technology known as the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI), which enables the operating system to control power to your computer and peripheral devices. The power management features in Windows XP include Hibernate and Standby. Hibernate saves an image of your desktop with all open files and documents, and then it powers down your computer. When you turn on power, your files and documents are open on your desktop exactly as you left them.

Standby reduces the power consumption of your computer by cutting power to hardware components you are not using. Standby can cut power to peripheral devices, your monitor, even your hard drive, but maintains power to your computer's memory so you don't lose your work.

Display Hibernate Option on the Shut Down dialog

For some reason, Hibernate isn't available from the default Shut Down dialog. But you can enable it simply enough, by holding down the SHIFT key while the dialog is visible. Now you see it, now you don't!