If you share a computer, you may find your work or play interrupted from time to time. Fast User Switching allows you to turn the computer over to another person and still leave your programs running. But what if the interruption lasts overnight or longer? The Hibernate function in Windows XP Home Edition makes it easy to get back to your open programs and documents after the machine has been powered off. If you have a laptop computer, Hibernate can also make the batteries in your laptop 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.

Windows XP wakes from Hibernate faster than any earlier version of Windows. So you can preserve your batteries without taking time to close all your files and shut down, and then restart and open all your files when you’re ready to work again. If you need to leave your computer, you can just leave it. Windows XP can automatically put your computer into Hibernate mode after a specified period of inactivity. Or Windows XP can detect when your batteries are running low, and then automatically put your computer in Hibernate mode to save your work before the battery fails.

To automatically put your computer into hibernation

You must be logged on to your computer with an owner account in order to complete this procedure.

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Power Options.

 
2. Click the Hibernate tab, select the Enable hibernate support check box, and then click Apply.

Note   If the Hibernate tab is unavailable, your computer does not support this feature.

3. Click the APM tab, click Enable Advanced Power Management support, and then click Apply.
   
   Note   The APM tab is unavailable on ACPI–compliant computers. ACPI automatically enables Advanced Power Management, which disables the APM tab.

 
4. Click the Power Schemes tab, and then select a time period in System hibernates. Your computer hibernates after it has been idle for the specified amount of time.

To manually put your computer into hibernation

You must be logged on as an administrator in order to complete this procedure.

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Power Options.

 
2. Click the Hibernate tab, and then select the Enable hibernate support check box.
   
   Note   If the Hibernate tab is not available, your computer does not support this feature.

 
3. Click OK to close the Power Options dialog box.

 
4. Click Start, and then click Turn Off Computer. In the Turn off computer dialog box, hold down the Shift key. The Stand By button will change to Hibernate. Click Hibernate.

Notes

• To put your computer into hibernation, you must have a computer that is set up by the manufacturer to support this option.

 
• When you put your computer into hibernation, everything in computer memory is saved on your hard disk, and your computer is switched off. When you turn the computer back on, all programs and documents that were open when you turned the computer off are restored on the desktop.

 
• Using Power Options in Control Panel, you can adjust any power management option that your computer's unique hardware configuration supports. Because these options may vary widely from computer to computer, the options described may differ from what you see. Power Options automatically detects what is available on your computer and shows you only the options that you can control.

 
• If you are not sure whether your computer is ACPI–compliant, check your manufacturer's documentation. To change power settings that take advantage of ACPI, use Power Options in Control Panel. During Windows Setup, ACPI is installed only if all components present during Setup support power management. Some components, especially older components, may not support power management and can cause erratic behavior with Advanced Power Management (APM), or may prevent ACPI from being installed. Examples of such components are Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) components and an out-of-date BIOS.

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