Click on Start - Control panel and then select "Power Options"
The Power Options properties dialog box comes up.
By default the Windows XP power options has six profiles.
1. Home/Office Desk : For desktop computers in Home and Office. This profile will turn off the monitor after 20 mins when running on AC power source. When running on Battery power source it will turn off the monitor after 5min, hard disk after 10min and the system will go into standby in 5 mins.
2. Portable/Laptop: For laptop and portable computers. This profile will turn off the monitor after 15 mins, hard disk after 30min and system will go into standby after 20 mins when running on AC power source. When running on Battery power source it will turn off the monitor after 5min, hard disk after 5min and the system will go into standby in 5 mins.
3. Presentation: For laptop or desktop computers running presentation. This profile will turn off nothing when running on AC power source. When running on Battery power source it will never turn off the monitor, turn off the hard disk after 5min and the system will go into standby in 15 mins.
4. Always On: In this profile only monitor is turned off in 20 mins when on AC power source and 15 mins when on Battery power source.
5. Minimal Power Management: This profile will turn off the monitor after 15 mins when running on AC power source. When running on Battery power source it will turn off the monitor after 5min, hard disk after 15min and the system will go into standby in 5 mins.
6. Max Battery: This profile will turn off the monitor after 15 mins and the system will go into standby after 20 mins when running on AC power source. When running on Battery power source it will turn off the monitor after 1min, hard disk after 3min and the system will go into standby in 2 mins.
You have to choose the options according to your needs.
Now click on the Alarms Tab
Low Battery Alarm notification comes up by default when the battery power reaches below 10%
Critical Battery Alarm comes up when the battery power reaches 3%. You need to close all your programs and shutdown the computer and recharge the battery immediately.
Now click on the Power Meter Tab.
It displays the current power status like the current power source and total battery power remaining.
Now click on the Advanced Tab.
If you want the power options icon to be displaed in the taskbar check "Always show icon on the taskbar"
The "Prompt for password when computer resumes from standby" must be checked for security reasons.
Here you can customize the basic power properties of your computer.
1. When I close the lid of my portable computer:
Choose Hibernate
2. When I press the power button on my computer
Choose Shutdown
3. When I press the sleep button on my computer
Choose StandBy
For the hiberante option you need to click on the Hibernate tab and check "Enable Hibernation"
