Sometimes when I put my laptop into sleep mode, or it goes into sleep mode after a set amount of time, and then I try to exit sleep mode, my computer shuts off. When it goes into sleep mode by itself, I press the power button, and this may or may not shut it down. My real problem is that when I close the lid, and then open it again, most of the time it just shuts down. I tried opening the lid at different speeds (lol), but to no avail. Then when I turn on my computer again, it shows the shut down recovery screen, yet doing the Safe Mode doesn't change anything, and there's nothing that needs to be saved. This is more annoying than dangerous.
How-To Geek Forums » Windows Vista
Exiting sleep mode causes shut down
(26 posts)
Check the power options in Control Panel -> (System and Maintenance) -> Power Options. All of these events are programmable, and on a laptop there are different settings when on A/C power vs battery power. For the detailed options click on "Change plan settings" then "Change advanced power settings". Here you can choose what happens when the power button is pressed, when the lid is closed, and so on.
It may be that your system is set to shut down when the power button is pressed. So, when it comes out of standby if it can see the power button event it will shut down or off. Also, there are different kinds of "sleep", for example hybrid sleep is different than non-hybrid sleep. Check those settings and post back with any questions.
What is the power button supposed to do, if not shut down the computer? Well, that is probably why it shuts down when the lid is open, but most of the time, I close the lid, and it's set to sleep when I do that, and hybrid sleep isn't allowed. Although what is the difference between the two? Also, I don't have hibernate set for any option, and have already deleted the hiberation file (although I did this, thinking it might help, and it freed up a lot of space too).
Thristle, the power button can do what you want it to do. For you, shutdown may be the only useful option, but other folks might prefer that it sleep or do nothing. Someone with kids who like to poke buttons, for example, could disable the use of the power button.
Hibernation is a feature that saves the current state of a running system including open applications and documents. This information is saved from the computer memory to the hard disk, which is why it takes up so much space. The nice thing about hibernation is that the power is turned off completely. This is a nice feature for laptops that are usually run on battery power because it will save your battery and save your work. The tradeoff is you need to make that space on your hard disk available and laptops have smaller hard disks.
Hybrid sleep is a combination of hibernation and standby. It saves all of the data from memory to the hard disk and them puts the system into low power standby. If the user returns and there have been no power interruptions, the system resumes quickly. If there has been a power interruption -- such as a dead laptop battery -- the system will resume as from hiberation right back to where it was with apps and docs open.
Did you do this (as ScottW suggested):
Click to open Power Options (type POWER into the Start search field and you will find it).
On the Select a power plan page, click Choose what closing the lid does.
On the Define power buttons and turn on password protection page, next to When I close the lid, choose what you want your mobile PC to do, both for when it is running on battery and when it is plugged in.
Tip
To save battery power and quickly resume working, select Sleep. When you wake your mobile PC, Windows restores your work session within seconds.
Click Save changes.
Thristle, let's try some other experiments to define the scope of the problem. Without closing the lid, put the system into sleep from the start menu. After it goes to sleep, wait at least 30 - 60 secs to make sure it does not wake up automatically. Then see how you can bring it out of sleep. Does it resume when you move the mouse (or touch the touchpad)? Does it resume if you press a key on the keyboard? For either of these resume scenarios, does the computer shut off as it does when the lid is opened?
Here's another one. Put the system into sleep then close the lid. Wait, as before. Now open the lid and see what happens. BTW, what is the make and model of the system?
For the first one, I could only exit sleep mode after pressing the power button, although I think I configured my settings to be like that. It turned back on perfectly when I resumed.
For the second one, it awoke when I opened the lid, and it resumed perfectly also. I think the problem is dealing with the automatic part of the sleep mode, whether it be timed, or closing the lid. So do I have to always just click on sleep, to make it sleep, instead of just closing the lid?
It's an Inspiron 1521 laptop from Dell.
Thristle,
Go to link below and download Inspiron 1521 manual. Please read and post back.
http://support.dell.com/suppor...../index.htm
Start Page for Dell 1521 Drivers, Updates and Bios Upgrade.
http://support.dell.com/suppor.....#38;impid=
Regards,
Rick P.
Thristle, the results of the earlier experiment are interesting. It shows that the open lid event works properly in one scenario. However, for some reason, it doesn't work immediately following a close lid event. Hmm.
A Dell Inspiron? I have one, too, though it's an older model 9300 and is running XP MCE. I had the close lid action set to "do nothing" because I like to choose what happens. However, as an experiment, I set close lid to "standby" -- the XP equivalent of sleep. When I closed the lid, the system went into standby. When I opened the lid, it resumed normally. Why you get a shut down operation is a mystery to me.
Thristle,
I figured there were Bios Firmware and Software updates for your machine which might help your problem.
Since ScotttW has a very similar machine, he can better trouble shoot and explain your question.
POST BACK so your Topic remains high on the list and he will probably respond.
Regards,
Rick P.
The general consensus about BIOS updates is only update if you are having a problem that could be BIOS-related or a problem specifically mentioned in the update. From Dell support, the A06 BIOS for the 1521 has these new features and enhancements:
1. Added support for New optical drives.
2. Added enhancement for MediaDirect control.
I'm finding it hard to get excited about this update, based on that description.
ScottW,
Agree if that is all the new Bios does. From a Asus point of view, some MBs have +10 Bios updates so believe it is ALWAYS best to have the latest Bios installed on any equipment.
As for as the laptop Lid Sleep Switch, it may have a scan code much like a key board sleep scan code. Not sure why the lid sleep switch would cause problems different from a normal key call for sleep withstanding a resume call on lid opening.
Regards,
Rick P.
Well, my laptop has had problems ever since I got it. The first day I started it up, I installed updates, and then I couldn't shut it off, or turn it on, it was just cycling between configuring updates and restarting. But I don't see how these could be related, other than it being a power problem.
Thristle,
You said you have had problems with the laptop since you purchased it.
Have you ever called Dell Support ??
I realize Dell has a Very Bad Reputation for supporting anything HOWEVER they say they realize they have a problem and are supposed to be going out of their way to correct the issue.
I needed some technical info from them which is not on their website (MB Manufacturer) for a certain model of a friend's machine which I was repairing and Dell Tech Support tried their best and finally got it for me.
Even though your machine is out of warranty, I would suggest you give them a call because you have had problems with your machine from the start. Never can tell; they might offer you half price off on a new laptop in this economic recession environment. BE DEMANDING if they try to "sluf" you off.
http://support.dell.com/suppor.....&s=gen
We all will still be here to try to help you no matter what Dell does.
Regards,
Rick P.
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