The Computer Does Not Enter or Exit Standby Mode (Windows 95, 98, ME, XP)
This document applies to Microsoft(R) Windows 95, 98, Me, and XP.
Use this document when the computer fails to enter or return from standby. The images in this document were taken in Windows XP but can be used for other Windows operating systems as well.


Step 1: Use Microsoft System Restore
If standby mode previously worked, attempt a system restore back to a time when it worked. This step is only for Windows Me and XP. If you do not know how to restore Windows, see the Support document " Using Microsoft's System Restore Feature ."
NOTE:
If System Restore resolves the problem, the problem is caused by software that was installed after the restore point date.
Step 2: Changing network settings
The Network hardware can prevent the PC from entering a power savings state. Especially if the network is always on, like cable modems or DSL modems. Skip this step if you want your computer to stay "awake". Use the following steps to prevent the Network hardware from keeping the computer awake:
In Windows XP, click Start and then right-click My Computer.
In Windows 98 and ME, right-click the My Computer icon on the desktop.
In Windows XP, select Properties, click the Hardware tab, and then click the Device Manager button
In Windows 98 and ME, select Properties, and then click the Device Manager tab.
Click the plus sign next to Network Adapters, and then double-click the name of the network adapter.
Click the Power Management tab, and remove the checkmark from Allow this device to bring the computer out of standby.
Click OK, close the windows that are open, and then restart the computer.
Use the computer’s Suspend/Standby feature to see the problem still exists. If it does, go to the next Step.
Disconnect all non-essential connected devices, (printers, scanners, USB drives).
Restart the PC with only the original mouse, monitor, and keyboard connected.
If this resolves the standby problem, replace one device and test to see if the problem occurs again. Continue adding devices and testing until the you find find the device that is causing the problem.
Step 3: Disabling screen savers
Screen savers can interfere with the computer’s ability to go into and come out of standby mode. Disabling or changing the screen saver may resolve the problem.
Right-click any blank area of the Windows desktop and select Properties.
Click the Screen Saver tab.
In the Screen saver section, select an alternate screen saver or set it to (None) and then click OK.
Use the computer’s Suspend/Standby feature to see the problem still exists. If it does, go to the next Step.
Step 4: Preventing startup programs from opening
Many software components start up automatically and run without beeing seen. Most of these programs are not necessary to the work performed on a computer, but can interfere with standby mode. Use the following steps to prevent these programs from starting when Windows is first opened. Open more important programs, like virus scanners, when needed by using the program's desktop or program menu icon.
Click Start and then Run.
Type msconfig into the open field and then click OK.
The System Configuration Utility appears.
Click the General tab, and remove the check from Load Startup Items.
Click OK to accept the changes and restart the computer.
After completing these steps, Windows will run using Selective Startup. A small reminder may appear when Windows restarts. Select Don't show this dialog again and click OK to prevent the reminder from re-appearing every time you restart the computer.
NOTE:
To undo the changes made in this process repeat the steps above and replace the checkmark next to Load Startup Items.
Use the Suspend/Standby feature to see the problem still exists:
If disabling Load startup items did not resolve the suspend problem, go to the next step.
If disabling Load startup items resolved the suspend problem, enable one startup item and test to see if the problem occurs again. Continue enabling startup items, until you find the software task that is causing the problem. Remove or update problem software.
Figure 1: System Configuration Utility
Step 5: Changing the power settings
Power settings control the computer’s ability to go into and come out of standby mode. Do the following to change the power options so your computer will use the standby mode correctly:
In Windows XP click Start, Control Panel, and then Performance and Maintenance.
In Windows 98 and Me, click Start, Settings, and then Control Panel.
Double-click the Power Options icon.
Click the Power Schemes tab and change the setting according to your problem.
If you want the computer to stay on, change the settings for the Always on power scheme to Never, make sure that Turn off hard disks is set to Never.
If you want the computer to go into Standby, change the settings for the Always on power scheme to a time you prefer. Make sure that Turn off hard disks is set to Never.
If you want your computer to stay on or you only want to use system standby, click the Hibernate tab and remove the checkmark from Enable hibernate support.
Click the Power Schemes tab again and then click the Save As button to name this setup as a new scheme for easy access in the future.
Click the OK button to accept the changes and then restart the computer.
Use the computer’s Suspend/Standby feature to see the problem still exists. If it does, go to the next Step.
Figure 2: Power Options Properties window
Step 6: Upgrading the BIOS
The BIOS is code that the computer uses at start up and is responsible for many things. One of those things is power management, which can get in the way of the suspend/standby process. For more information, refer to the HP support document HP and Compaq PCs - Updating the BIOS .
Related support
Windows Fails to Shut Down