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Power Policy

User State > Power > Edit

The Power Policy dialog box specifies power management options. Managed machines are assigned power management policies using the Power page.

Policy Name

Enter a name or change the name of this power policy.

Power Scheme

Enter how long the computer should wait before performing the following actions, based on whether the computer is either Plugged In or Running on Batteries:

  • Turn off monitor - Typically, you turn off your monitor for a short period to conserve power.
  • Turn off hard disk - Typically, you turn off your hard disk for a short period to conserve power.
  • System standby - While on standby, your entire computer switches to a low-power state where devices, such as the monitor and hard disks, turn off and your computer uses less power. When you want to use the computer again, it comes out of standby quickly, and your desktop is restored exactly as you left it. Standby is particularly useful for conserving battery power in portable computers. Because Standby does not save your desktop state to disk, a power failure while on Standby can cause you to lose unsaved information.
  • System hibernate - Hibernate saves everything in memory on disk, turns off your monitor and hard disk, and then turns off your computer. When you restart your computer, your desktop is restored exactly as you left it. It takes longer to bring your computer out of hibernation than out of standby.

Low Battery Alarm

Specify the following:

  • Activate low battery alarm when power level reaches <N> % - If checked, an alarm is triggered if the power level reaches the specified percentage.
  • Sound Alarm - If checked, a sound occurs if the alarm is triggered.
  • Display Message - If checked, a message displays if the alarm is triggered.
  • When alarm goes off, the computer will: Stand by, Hibernate, Shut down
  • Force action even if a program stops responding - This ensures that a hung or crashed program doesn't prevent the system from reacting to the alarm.

Critical Battery Alarm

Specify the following:

  • Activate low battery alarm when power level reaches <N> % - If checked, an alarm is triggered if the power level reaches the specified percentage. Typically this Critical Battery Alarm setting is a smaller percentage then the Low Battery Alarm setting.
  • Sound Alarm - If checked, a sound occurs if the alarm is triggered.
  • Display Message - If checked, a message displays if the alarm is triggered.
  • When alarm goes off, the computer will: Stand by, Hibernate, Shut down
  • Force action even if a program stops responding - This ensures that a hung or crashed program doesn't prevent the system from reacting to the alarm.

Advanced

Specify the following:

  • Prompt for password when computer resumes from standby
  • Enable Hibernation - If checked, enables hibernation as a power option.

Power Button Behavior (for Vista Only)

  • Closing lid of laptop computer will: Do nothing, Stand by, Hibernate
  • Pressing power button on computer will: Do nothing, Stand by, Hibernate, Shutdown
  • Pressing sleep button on computer will: Do nothing, Stand by, Hibernate, Shutdown