Computer Power Management Program

What happens to your computer when it's left alone for a while? Throughout the day, there will often be times when you will need to leave your workstation for an extended period of time. Whether it be for meetings, your lunch break, or at the end of the day, when your computer has been inactive for a certain period of time it will go into Sleep Mode.

Sleep Mode is a Computer Power Management Program that allows your computer to run, while drastically cutting down on its energy consumption.

This document provides a brief explanation of what you will experience when you return to your workstation after your computer has gone to sleep and the steps to take in order to resume working.

Sleep Mode Begins

Sleep mode occurs after a two hour period of inactivity. Inactivity is defined as the operating system not detecting any keyboard or mouse strokes. (Users can change inactivity period in their system settings.)

When sleep mode takes over, the computer will enter a low power mode state and the power button will slowly pulse on and off. The monitor will also go black.

Note: Windows based tablets are exempt from the 2 hour policy. This is being done by model name (Surface, Venue, etc.). New models can be added as standards are developed. This decision was made because the surface’s battery will not last 2 hours and most people use a shorter sleep setting on them. 

Waking Up the Computer

To wake up the computer, wiggle your mouse or hit a key on your keyboard. In some instances that the USB ports of your computer may also enter sleep mode. The next option to wake up the computer is to press and release the power button. Do not press and hold the power button! This will shut down your computer.