ProblemYou want to create different power schemes for your laptop for example, one when it's plugged in at home, and another for maximum battery life when you're on an airplane on a cross-country trip. SolutionUsing a graphical user interface
DiscussionYour laptop will come configured with several different power schemes for example, one that preserves the maximum amount of battery life, one that is used when the laptop is plugged in, one when you're making presentations on the road and so on. You may not need to change the power settings, but it's a good idea to look at them, in case you want to. Using system standbyIf you choose to use system standby, you can configure how it works by clicking on the Advanced tab of the Power Options Properties dialog box. It lets you decide whether to put the system into standby if you close the lid of the laptop, what to do when you press the laptop's power button, and what to do when you press the laptop's sleep button. Additionally, if you're worried about security, it lets you require that a password be used in order to wake up the laptop from standby. And it can put an icon that reports about your power on the Taskbar. Setting power alarmsYou can have your laptop alert you or take an action when it has little power left. To set alerts, click on the Alarms tab, and customize the settings for when to alert you at what percent of battery life is left. There are two settings, one for lower battery alarm and one for a critical battery alarm. You can have the system alert you via text, via an audible alarm, or have it automatically go into standby or shut down. You can also have it automatically run a program when the batter reaches a certain level. See AlsoFor more information about managing power on a laptop, see http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/pwrmn_choose_power_scheme.mspx. |