Is hibernate only for laptops?

[Arun Gupta]

I recently bought a Dell Dimension 4550. The computer
doesn't go into hibernate or standby mode. I always get
an error that the driver for COM1 is preventing the
computer from going into hibernation etc. I contacted
Dell technical support and they told me:
--------Quote----------
Please note that Dell does not recommend the use of
Standby/Hibernate. These applications were written by
Microsoft for laptops. They are not reliable on desktop
computers. So. would you please disable power management
options?
--------End quote-------

Can anyone confirm if Dell tech support is telling me the
right thing.

Thanks

[Walter Clayton]

Honest truth? What Dell told you is flat out wrong.

Desktops can in fact hibernate and suspend. However it's generally not worth
the hassle. The principal purpose for these is in fact to save power when
running on a limited power supply (read batteries). On a desktop, there is
really no valid reason to suspend or hibernate, but that doesn't mean that
Dell should be cranking out flaky desktop systems.

Basically what Dell is telling you is that they don't want to honor their
warranty agreement. How you handle that will depend on what legal rights you
have where you live. Personally, I'd contact them again and this time
escalate the matter. Yes, it's going to be a lot of hassle for you, but you
did pay dearly for a warranty.

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp


"Arun Gupta" > wrote in message
...
> I recently bought a Dell Dimension 4550. The computer
> doesn't go into hibernate or standby mode. I always get
> an error that the driver for COM1 is preventing the
> computer from going into hibernation etc. I contacted
> Dell technical support and they told me:
> --------Quote----------
> Please note that Dell does not recommend the use of
> Standby/Hibernate. These applications were written by
> Microsoft for laptops. They are not reliable on desktop
> computers. So. would you please disable power management
> options?
> --------End quote-------
>
> Can anyone confirm if Dell tech support is telling me the
> right thing.
>
> Thanks

[Richard]

I suspend my computer every evening. At the predetermined time, the computer
wakes up, runs virus scan - defrag - batch file - etc., then goes back to
sleep until the AM. Saves a lot of power.

"Walter Clayton" > wrote in message
...
> Honest truth? What Dell told you is flat out wrong.
>
> Desktops can in fact hibernate and suspend. However it's generally not
worth
> the hassle. The principal purpose for these is in fact to save power when
> running on a limited power supply (read batteries). On a desktop, there is
> really no valid reason to suspend or hibernate, but that doesn't mean that
> Dell should be cranking out flaky desktop systems.
>
> Basically what Dell is telling you is that they don't want to honor their
> warranty agreement. How you handle that will depend on what legal rights
you
> have where you live. Personally, I'd contact them again and this time
> escalate the matter. Yes, it's going to be a lot of hassle for you, but
you
> did pay dearly for a warranty.
>
> --
> Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
> Associate Expert
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
> http://www.dts-l.org
> http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp
>
>
> "Arun Gupta" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I recently bought a Dell Dimension 4550. The computer
> > doesn't go into hibernate or standby mode. I always get
> > an error that the driver for COM1 is preventing the
> > computer from going into hibernation etc. I contacted
> > Dell technical support and they told me:
> > --------Quote----------
> > Please note that Dell does not recommend the use of
> > Standby/Hibernate. These applications were written by
> > Microsoft for laptops. They are not reliable on desktop
> > computers. So. would you please disable power management
> > options?
> > --------End quote-------
> >
> > Can anyone confirm if Dell tech support is telling me the
> > right thing.
> >
> > Thanks
>
>

[Walter Clayton]

The power saving in standby is generally iffy, especially on desktop, but
also dependant on exactly what standby state the hardware can achieve. There
are three different "degrees" of standby. The problem is that OEMs will
typically bend over backward to make portable devices fully ACPI compliant,
or if not they'll kludge something proprietary to extend battery life. They
tend to be a bit more lackadaisical on desktops since they need not nurse
the last erg of energy from a battery for as long as possible.

You can find out a lot of information about power management starting here:
http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/platform/PCdesign/LR/default.asp
If you can handle the low level technical specs the references on
http://www.acpi.info have quite a bit in English that's understandable.

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp


"Richard" > wrote in message
...
> I suspend my computer every evening. At the predetermined time, the
computer
> wakes up, runs virus scan - defrag - batch file - etc., then goes back to
> sleep until the AM. Saves a lot of power.
>
> "Walter Clayton" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Honest truth? What Dell told you is flat out wrong.
> >
> > Desktops can in fact hibernate and suspend. However it's generally not
> worth
> > the hassle. The principal purpose for these is in fact to save power
when
> > running on a limited power supply (read batteries). On a desktop, there
is
> > really no valid reason to suspend or hibernate, but that doesn't mean
that
> > Dell should be cranking out flaky desktop systems.
> >
> > Basically what Dell is telling you is that they don't want to honor
their
> > warranty agreement. How you handle that will depend on what legal rights
> you
> > have where you live. Personally, I'd contact them again and this time
> > escalate the matter. Yes, it's going to be a lot of hassle for you, but
> you
> > did pay dearly for a warranty.
> >
> > --
> > Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
> > Associate Expert
> > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> > Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
> > http://www.dts-l.org
> > http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp
> >
> >
> > "Arun Gupta" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I recently bought a Dell Dimension 4550. The computer
> > > doesn't go into hibernate or standby mode. I always get
> > > an error that the driver for COM1 is preventing the
> > > computer from going into hibernation etc. I contacted
> > > Dell technical support and they told me:
> > > --------Quote----------
> > > Please note that Dell does not recommend the use of
> > > Standby/Hibernate. These applications were written by
> > > Microsoft for laptops. They are not reliable on desktop
> > > computers. So. would you please disable power management
> > > options?
> > > --------End quote-------
> > >
> > > Can anyone confirm if Dell tech support is telling me the
> > > right thing.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> >
> >
>
>

[Richard]

I use S3 state. All fans are off etc! Have been doing this for over a year
and a half now. Wouldn't do it any other way.

"Walter Clayton" > wrote in message
...
> The power saving in standby is generally iffy, especially on desktop, but
> also dependant on exactly what standby state the hardware can achieve.
There
> are three different "degrees" of standby. The problem is that OEMs will
> typically bend over backward to make portable devices fully ACPI
compliant,
> or if not they'll kludge something proprietary to extend battery life.
They
> tend to be a bit more lackadaisical on desktops since they need not nurse
> the last erg of energy from a battery for as long as possible.
>
> You can find out a lot of information about power management starting
here:
> http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/platform/PCdesign/LR/default.asp
> If you can handle the low level technical specs the references on
> http://www.acpi.info have quite a bit in English that's understandable.
>
> --
> Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
> Associate Expert
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
> http://www.dts-l.org
> http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp
>
>
> "Richard" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I suspend my computer every evening. At the predetermined time, the
> computer
> > wakes up, runs virus scan - defrag - batch file - etc., then goes back
to
> > sleep until the AM. Saves a lot of power.
> >
> > "Walter Clayton" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Honest truth? What Dell told you is flat out wrong.
> > >
> > > Desktops can in fact hibernate and suspend. However it's generally not
> > worth
> > > the hassle. The principal purpose for these is in fact to save power
> when
> > > running on a limited power supply (read batteries). On a desktop,
there
> is
> > > really no valid reason to suspend or hibernate, but that doesn't mean
> that
> > > Dell should be cranking out flaky desktop systems.
> > >
> > > Basically what Dell is telling you is that they don't want to honor
> their
> > > warranty agreement. How you handle that will depend on what legal
rights
> > you
> > > have where you live. Personally, I'd contact them again and this time
> > > escalate the matter. Yes, it's going to be a lot of hassle for you,
but
> > you
> > > did pay dearly for a warranty.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
> > > Associate Expert
> > > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> > > Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
> > > http://www.dts-l.org
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp
> > >
> > >
> > > "Arun Gupta" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > I recently bought a Dell Dimension 4550. The computer
> > > > doesn't go into hibernate or standby mode. I always get
> > > > an error that the driver for COM1 is preventing the
> > > > computer from going into hibernation etc. I contacted
> > > > Dell technical support and they told me:
> > > > --------Quote----------
> > > > Please note that Dell does not recommend the use of
> > > > Standby/Hibernate. These applications were written by
> > > > Microsoft for laptops. They are not reliable on desktop
> > > > computers. So. would you please disable power management
> > > > options?
> > > > --------End quote-------
> > > >
> > > > Can anyone confirm if Dell tech support is telling me the
> > > > right thing.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Walter Clayton]

Kewl. I can only hit S1 on my desktop so I don't bother. I can force S3, but
since it's running ICS server in front of two other machines....

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp


"Richard" > wrote in message
...
> I use S3 state. All fans are off etc! Have been doing this for over a year
> and a half now. Wouldn't do it any other way.
>
> "Walter Clayton" > wrote in message
> ...
> > The power saving in standby is generally iffy, especially on desktop,
but
> > also dependant on exactly what standby state the hardware can achieve.
> There
> > are three different "degrees" of standby. The problem is that OEMs will
> > typically bend over backward to make portable devices fully ACPI
> compliant,
> > or if not they'll kludge something proprietary to extend battery life.
> They
> > tend to be a bit more lackadaisical on desktops since they need not
nurse
> > the last erg of energy from a battery for as long as possible.
> >
> > You can find out a lot of information about power management starting
> here:
> > http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/platform/PCdesign/LR/default.asp
> > If you can handle the low level technical specs the references on
> > http://www.acpi.info have quite a bit in English that's understandable.
> >
> > --
> > Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
> > Associate Expert
> > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> > Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
> > http://www.dts-l.org
> > http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp
> >
> >
> > "Richard" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I suspend my computer every evening. At the predetermined time, the
> > computer
> > > wakes up, runs virus scan - defrag - batch file - etc., then goes back
> to
> > > sleep until the AM. Saves a lot of power.
> > >
> > > "Walter Clayton" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > Honest truth? What Dell told you is flat out wrong.
> > > >
> > > > Desktops can in fact hibernate and suspend. However it's generally
not
> > > worth
> > > > the hassle. The principal purpose for these is in fact to save power
> > when
> > > > running on a limited power supply (read batteries). On a desktop,
> there
> > is
> > > > really no valid reason to suspend or hibernate, but that doesn't
mean
> > that
> > > > Dell should be cranking out flaky desktop systems.
> > > >
> > > > Basically what Dell is telling you is that they don't want to honor
> > their
> > > > warranty agreement. How you handle that will depend on what legal
> rights
> > > you
> > > > have where you live. Personally, I'd contact them again and this
time
> > > > escalate the matter. Yes, it's going to be a lot of hassle for you,
> but
> > > you
> > > > did pay dearly for a warranty.
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
> > > > Associate Expert
> > > > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> > > > Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently
advanced.
> > > > http://www.dts-l.org
> > > > http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Arun Gupta" > wrote in message
> > > > ...
> > > > > I recently bought a Dell Dimension 4550. The computer
> > > > > doesn't go into hibernate or standby mode. I always get
> > > > > an error that the driver for COM1 is preventing the
> > > > > computer from going into hibernation etc. I contacted
> > > > > Dell technical support and they told me:
> > > > > --------Quote----------
> > > > > Please note that Dell does not recommend the use of
> > > > > Standby/Hibernate. These applications were written by
> > > > > Microsoft for laptops. They are not reliable on desktop
> > > > > computers. So. would you please disable power management
> > > > > options?
> > > > > --------End quote-------
> > > > >
> > > > > Can anyone confirm if Dell tech support is telling me the
> > > > > right thing.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Arun Gupta]

Thanks very much for the replies. I knew that what Dell
is telling me is wrong. I have other computer which goes
into hibernate and standby without a problem. What I feel
is that in this one, there is no option to disable PnP OS
in the BIOS. As a result, the BIOS and OS are assigning
different IRQ to COM1. I have verified this in the BIOS
settings and in the Device Manager->COM1->Resources. My
theory is that this is somehow confusing the driver for
COM1. I don't know if this is the exact cause of the
problem. Any ideas?
Thanks...
>-----Original Message-----
>Kewl. I can only hit S1 on my desktop so I don't bother.
I can force S3, but
>since it's running ICS server in front of two other
machines....
>
>--
>Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
>Associate Expert
>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>Any technology distinguishable from magic is
insufficiently advanced.
>http://www.dts-l.org
>http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/def
ault.asp
>
>
>"Richard" > wrote in
message
...
>> I use S3 state. All fans are off etc! Have been doing
this for over a year
>> and a half now. Wouldn't do it any other way.
>>
>> "Walter Clayton" > wrote in
message
>> ...
>> > The power saving in standby is generally iffy,
especially on desktop,
>but
>> > also dependant on exactly what standby state the
hardware can achieve.
>> There
>> > are three different "degrees" of standby. The
problem is that OEMs will
>> > typically bend over backward to make portable
devices fully ACPI
>> compliant,
>> > or if not they'll kludge something proprietary to
extend battery life.
>> They
>> > tend to be a bit more lackadaisical on desktops
since they need not
>nurse
>> > the last erg of energy from a battery for as long as
possible.
>> >
>> > You can find out a lot of information about power
management starting
>> here:
>> >
http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/platform/PCdesign/LR/defaul
t.asp
>> > If you can handle the low level technical specs the
references on
>> > http://www.acpi.info have quite a bit in English
that's understandable.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
>> > Associate Expert
>> > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> > Any technology distinguishable from magic is
insufficiently advanced.
>> > http://www.dts-l.org
>> >
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/defa
ult.asp
>> >
>> >
>> > "Richard" > wrote
in message
>> > ...
>> > > I suspend my computer every evening. At the
predetermined time, the
>> > computer
>> > > wakes up, runs virus scan - defrag - batch file -
etc., then goes back
>> to
>> > > sleep until the AM. Saves a lot of power.
>> > >
>> > > "Walter Clayton" > wrote
in message
>> > > ...
>> > > > Honest truth? What Dell told you is flat out
wrong.
>> > > >
>> > > > Desktops can in fact hibernate and suspend.
However it's generally
>not
>> > > worth
>> > > > the hassle. The principal purpose for these is
in fact to save power
>> > when
>> > > > running on a limited power supply (read
batteries). On a desktop,
>> there
>> > is
>> > > > really no valid reason to suspend or hibernate,
but that doesn't
>mean
>> > that
>> > > > Dell should be cranking out flaky desktop
systems.
>> > > >
>> > > > Basically what Dell is telling you is that they
don't want to honor
>> > their
>> > > > warranty agreement. How you handle that will
depend on what legal
>> rights
>> > > you
>> > > > have where you live. Personally, I'd contact
them again and this
>time
>> > > > escalate the matter. Yes, it's going to be a lot
of hassle for you,
>> but
>> > > you
>> > > > did pay dearly for a warranty.
>> > > >
>> > > > --
>> > > > Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
>> > > > Associate Expert
>> > > > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> > > > Any technology distinguishable from magic is
insufficiently
>advanced.
>> > > > http://www.dts-l.org
>> > > >
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/defa
ult.asp
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > "Arun Gupta" > wrote in
message
>> > > > ...
>> > > > > I recently bought a Dell Dimension 4550. The
computer
>> > > > > doesn't go into hibernate or standby mode. I
always get
>> > > > > an error that the driver for COM1 is
preventing the
>> > > > > computer from going into hibernation etc. I
contacted
>> > > > > Dell technical support and they told me:
>> > > > > --------Quote----------
>> > > > > Please note that Dell does not recommend the
use of
>> > > > > Standby/Hibernate. These applications were
written by
>> > > > > Microsoft for laptops. They are not reliable
on desktop
>> > > > > computers. So. would you please disable power
management
>> > > > > options?
>> > > > > --------End quote-------
>> > > > >
>> > > > > Can anyone confirm if Dell tech support is
telling me the
>> > > > > right thing.
>> > > > >
>> > > > > Thanks
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>
>.
>

[Alex Nichol]

Walter Clayton wrote:

>Kewl. I can only hit S1 on my desktop so I don't bother. I can force S3, but
>since it's running ICS server in front of two other machines....


I am trying out using Hibernation on my desktop - then turning the AC
fully off at the wall - a safety thing that is rather drilled into us in
a land of 230volt AC. It is only in the last release of Radeon video
drivers that it will come back from hibernating.

As compared with a full shutdown it has some benefits - notably not
having a long wait on turning on for Zone Alarm to go round and
initialise. But if a program is left open with a regular e-mail check,
it may get in before the cable modem is back up, and fail to find the
server. . And a USB Web cam (Intel PC Pro) fails to initialise after
hibernation and is seen as an 'Unknown device' until unplugged and
replugged. So a mixed bag, and I am not sure which way to go longer
term

--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows - File Systems)
Bournemouth, U.K.

[Walter Clayton]

Your reasoning is possible. There is a way to check it though, if you're not
using COM1. Go into device manager and disable com1, reboot and disable the
port in the BIOS. See what happens. The problem though is that unless Dell
is willing to supply the warranty support for which you've paid to correct
the situation, you're pretty much stuck with doing something non-standard.

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp


"Arun Gupta" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks very much for the replies. I knew that what Dell
> is telling me is wrong. I have other computer which goes
> into hibernate and standby without a problem. What I feel
> is that in this one, there is no option to disable PnP OS
> in the BIOS. As a result, the BIOS and OS are assigning
> different IRQ to COM1. I have verified this in the BIOS
> settings and in the Device Manager->COM1->Resources. My
> theory is that this is somehow confusing the driver for
> COM1. I don't know if this is the exact cause of the
> problem. Any ideas?
> Thanks...
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Kewl. I can only hit S1 on my desktop so I don't bother.
> I can force S3, but
> >since it's running ICS server in front of two other
> machines....
> >
> >--
> >Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
> >Associate Expert
> >http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >Any technology distinguishable from magic is
> insufficiently advanced.
> >http://www.dts-l.org
> >http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/def
> ault.asp
> >
> >
> >"Richard" > wrote in
> message
> ...
> >> I use S3 state. All fans are off etc! Have been doing
> this for over a year
> >> and a half now. Wouldn't do it any other way.
> >>
> >> "Walter Clayton" > wrote in
> message
> >> ...
> >> > The power saving in standby is generally iffy,
> especially on desktop,
> >but
> >> > also dependant on exactly what standby state the
> hardware can achieve.
> >> There
> >> > are three different "degrees" of standby. The
> problem is that OEMs will
> >> > typically bend over backward to make portable
> devices fully ACPI
> >> compliant,
> >> > or if not they'll kludge something proprietary to
> extend battery life.
> >> They
> >> > tend to be a bit more lackadaisical on desktops
> since they need not
> >nurse
> >> > the last erg of energy from a battery for as long as
> possible.
> >> >
> >> > You can find out a lot of information about power
> management starting
> >> here:
> >> >
> http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/platform/PCdesign/LR/defaul
> t.asp
> >> > If you can handle the low level technical specs the
> references on
> >> > http://www.acpi.info have quite a bit in English
> that's understandable.
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
> >> > Associate Expert
> >> > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >> > Any technology distinguishable from magic is
> insufficiently advanced.
> >> > http://www.dts-l.org
> >> >
> http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/defa
> ult.asp
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "Richard" > wrote
> in message
> >> > ...
> >> > > I suspend my computer every evening. At the
> predetermined time, the
> >> > computer
> >> > > wakes up, runs virus scan - defrag - batch file -
> etc., then goes back
> >> to
> >> > > sleep until the AM. Saves a lot of power.
> >> > >
> >> > > "Walter Clayton" > wrote
> in message
> >> > > ...
> >> > > > Honest truth? What Dell told you is flat out
> wrong.
> >> > > >
> >> > > > Desktops can in fact hibernate and suspend.
> However it's generally
> >not
> >> > > worth
> >> > > > the hassle. The principal purpose for these is
> in fact to save power
> >> > when
> >> > > > running on a limited power supply (read
> batteries). On a desktop,
> >> there
> >> > is
> >> > > > really no valid reason to suspend or hibernate,
> but that doesn't
> >mean
> >> > that
> >> > > > Dell should be cranking out flaky desktop
> systems.
> >> > > >
> >> > > > Basically what Dell is telling you is that they
> don't want to honor
> >> > their
> >> > > > warranty agreement. How you handle that will
> depend on what legal
> >> rights
> >> > > you
> >> > > > have where you live. Personally, I'd contact
> them again and this
> >time
> >> > > > escalate the matter. Yes, it's going to be a lot
> of hassle for you,
> >> but
> >> > > you
> >> > > > did pay dearly for a warranty.
> >> > > >
> >> > > > --
> >> > > > Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
> >> > > > Associate Expert
> >> > > > http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >> > > > Any technology distinguishable from magic is
> insufficiently
> >advanced.
> >> > > > http://www.dts-l.org
> >> > > >
> http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/defa
> ult.asp
> >> > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > > > "Arun Gupta" > wrote in
> message
> >> > > > ...
> >> > > > > I recently bought a Dell Dimension 4550. The
> computer
> >> > > > > doesn't go into hibernate or standby mode. I
> always get
> >> > > > > an error that the driver for COM1 is
> preventing the
> >> > > > > computer from going into hibernation etc. I
> contacted
> >> > > > > Dell technical support and they told me:
> >> > > > > --------Quote----------
> >> > > > > Please note that Dell does not recommend the
> use of
> >> > > > > Standby/Hibernate. These applications were
> written by
> >> > > > > Microsoft for laptops. They are not reliable
> on desktop
> >> > > > > computers. So. would you please disable power
> management
> >> > > > > options?
> >> > > > > --------End quote-------
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Can anyone confirm if Dell tech support is
> telling me the
> >> > > > > right thing.
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Thanks
> >> > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >.
> >

[Walter Clayton]

Longer term? If this box is multi-booted using 3rd party boot management, do
*not* hibernate. Otherwise, you're call. ;-)

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp


"Alex Nichol" > wrote in message
...
> Walter Clayton wrote:
>
> >Kewl. I can only hit S1 on my desktop so I don't bother. I can force S3,
but
> >since it's running ICS server in front of two other machines....
>
>
> I am trying out using Hibernation on my desktop - then turning the AC
> fully off at the wall - a safety thing that is rather drilled into us in
> a land of 230volt AC. It is only in the last release of Radeon video
> drivers that it will come back from hibernating.
>
> As compared with a full shutdown it has some benefits - notably not
> having a long wait on turning on for Zone Alarm to go round and
> initialise. But if a program is left open with a regular e-mail check,
> it may get in before the cable modem is back up, and fail to find the
> server. . And a USB Web cam (Intel PC Pro) fails to initialise after
> hibernation and is seen as an 'Unknown device' until unplugged and
> replugged. So a mixed bag, and I am not sure which way to go longer
> term
>
> --
> Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows - File Systems)
> Bournemouth, U.K.

[Alex Nichol]

Walter Clayton wrote:

>Longer term? If this box is multi-booted using 3rd party boot management, do
>*not* hibernate. Otherwise, you're call.

That I think will depend on the third party method concerned - this is
BING *in its own partition*. So the reboot goes through that , and then
on booting the XP partition that boot system picks up its hibernation,
quite successfully. But would *not* want it on one of the setups where
the Boot manager is sharing the same partition as a system


--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows - File Systems)
Bournemouth, U.K.

[Walter Clayton]

Problem lies in modifying the HD structure even in the slightest via another
OS instance. That causes major issues when resuming a hibernated OS instance
that only thinks it knows that the target directory of an app doing writes
still exists. One problem is that the resumed instance does little
validation of the environment.

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp


"Alex Nichol" > wrote in message
...
> Walter Clayton wrote:
>
> >Longer term? If this box is multi-booted using 3rd party boot management,
do
> >*not* hibernate. Otherwise, you're call.
>
> That I think will depend on the third party method concerned - this is
> BING *in its own partition*. So the reboot goes through that , and then
> on booting the XP partition that boot system picks up its hibernation,
> quite successfully. But would *not* want it on one of the setups where
> the Boot manager is sharing the same partition as a system
>
>
> --
> Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows - File Systems)
> Bournemouth, U.K.

[Bill Blanton]

"Walter Clayton" > wrote in message ...

Hey Walter!
;-)
> Problem lies in modifying the HD structure even in the slightest via another
> OS instance. That causes major issues when resuming a hibernated OS instance
> that only thinks it knows that the target directory of an app doing writes
> still exists. One problem is that the resumed instance does little
> validation of the environment.

Of course not just directories. It seems to do with what XP has loaded
as FAT. I don't remember the exact details, but I think that you can
open explorer in XP to a specific dir, hibernate and reboot to 9x,
create a file in that same dir, then boot back (un-hibernate), and the
file will either be gone or you get an access denied. Boot back to 9x
and the file is gone. XP has written back the FAT it had in memory.


There are probably other scenarios, but that's one that's easy to
reproduce.

When I first installed XP on my multi-boot system, I used the hibernate
feature almost exclusively. After losing a lot of files, and after I
finally realized the cause, I haven't used it since.

[Bernie]

YES, YES, YES YES!!!!!!!

[Bill Blanton]

"Bernie" > wrote in message ...
> YES, YES, YES YES!!!!!!!

You you agree then?

[Bernie]

"Bill Blanton" > wrote in message
...
> "Bernie" > wrote in message
...
> > YES, YES, YES YES!!!!!!!
>
> You you agree then?
>
Only people who have not used hibernate because they do not own a laptop ask
this question. They think they are going to save $30.00 on their electric
bill.
That's not what hibernate is for. It's designed to save battery life on a
laptop when you walk away from it for a short period of time........ That
spells period for any one who can't read sign. If you do not own a laptop
and want to save on electric bills shut down your computer when your done
with it. If the laptop is plugged into a wall socket and goes into
hibernate it's still going to draw power to charge the battery up. If it's
not plugged into a wall socket it's going to draw less power from the
battery when it goes into hibernate.
Why the hell are we even debating this.
Bernie

[David Candy]

A hibernating computer and a switched off computer are the same. As the =
computer boots normally it notices a hiberation file and restores that.

--=20
http://www.g2mil.com/Apr2003.htm
http://prorev.com/forbesrussia.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------
David Candy
http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Bernie" > wrote in message =
...
>=20
> "Bill Blanton" > wrote in message
> ...
> > "Bernie" > wrote in message
> ...
> > > YES, YES, YES YES!!!!!!!
> >
> > You you agree then?
> >
> Only people who have not used hibernate because they do not own a =
laptop ask
> this question. They think they are going to save $30.00 on their =
electric
> bill.
> That's not what hibernate is for. It's designed to save battery life =
on a
> laptop when you walk away from it for a short period of time........ =
That
> spells period for any one who can't read sign. If you do not own a =
laptop
> and want to save on electric bills shut down your computer when your =
done
> with it. If the laptop is plugged into a wall socket and goes into
> hibernate it's still going to draw power to charge the battery up. If =
it's
> not plugged into a wall socket it's going to draw less power from the
> battery when it goes into hibernate.
> Why the hell are we even debating this.
> Bernie
>=20
>=20

[Bernie]

Ok a class 5 tornado takes out the local electric substation, the power does
not come back on for three hours. A desktop computer that has had it's
files saved and is shut down is not affected. A desktop computer in
hibernation with programs and files open is affected. Hibernation is for
unplugged laptops running on batteries to conserve the battery. Hibernation
is not so that one can walk away from ones computer for extended periods of
time and feel confident that when you come back all will be as it was. If
your using a desktop your better off with a UPS and software that auto saves
and shuts down the system.
Bernie

"David Candy" > wrote in message
...
A hibernating computer and a switched off computer are the same. As the
computer boots normally it notices a hiberation file and restores that.

--
http://www.g2mil.com/Apr2003.htm
http://prorev.com/forbesrussia.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------
David Candy
http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Bernie" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Bill Blanton" > wrote in message
> ...
> > "Bernie" > wrote in message
> ...
> > > YES, YES, YES YES!!!!!!!
> >
> > You you agree then?
> >
> Only people who have not used hibernate because they do not own a laptop
ask
> this question. They think they are going to save $30.00 on their electric
> bill.
> That's not what hibernate is for. It's designed to save battery life on a
> laptop when you walk away from it for a short period of time........ That
> spells period for any one who can't read sign. If you do not own a laptop
> and want to save on electric bills shut down your computer when your done
> with it. If the laptop is plugged into a wall socket and goes into
> hibernate it's still going to draw power to charge the battery up. If
it's
> not plugged into a wall socket it's going to draw less power from the
> battery when it goes into hibernate.
> Why the hell are we even debating this.
> Bernie
>
>

[Bill Blanton]

I don't think you understand "hibernation-mode". The contents of the
memory are saved to file, and when you reboot, it is reloaded. The
memory state, and so the whole state of the system, is the same
as it was when you "hibernated" and shutdown.

In your case, the hiberfil.sys file is just as safe from the tornado as
any other file.




"Bernie" > wrote in message ...
> Ok a class 5 tornado takes out the local electric substation, the power does
> not come back on for three hours. A desktop computer that has had it's
> files saved and is shut down is not affected. A desktop computer in
> hibernation with programs and files open is affected. Hibernation is for
> unplugged laptops running on batteries to conserve the battery. Hibernation
> is not so that one can walk away from ones computer for extended periods of
> time and feel confident that when you come back all will be as it was. If
> your using a desktop your better off with a UPS and software that auto saves
> and shuts down the system.
> Bernie
>
> "David Candy" > wrote in message
> ...
> A hibernating computer and a switched off computer are the same. As the
> computer boots normally it notices a hiberation file and restores that.
>
> --
> http://www.g2mil.com/Apr2003.htm
> http://prorev.com/forbesrussia.htm
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> David Candy
> http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> "Bernie" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Bill Blanton" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > "Bernie" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > > YES, YES, YES YES!!!!!!!
> > >
> > > You you agree then?
> > >
> > Only people who have not used hibernate because they do not own a laptop
> ask
> > this question. They think they are going to save $30.00 on their electric
> > bill.
> > That's not what hibernate is for. It's designed to save battery life on a
> > laptop when you walk away from it for a short period of time........ That
> > spells period for any one who can't read sign. If you do not own a laptop
> > and want to save on electric bills shut down your computer when your done
> > with it. If the laptop is plugged into a wall socket and goes into
> > hibernate it's still going to draw power to charge the battery up. If
> it's
> > not plugged into a wall socket it's going to draw less power from the
> > battery when it goes into hibernate.
> > Why the hell are we even debating this.
> > Bernie
> >
> >
>
>

[David Candy]

And computers these days never really turn off unless you switch them =
off at the power point (like TVs). But a hibernating computer is as =
switched off as a switched off computer. Perhaps you are thinking of a =
low power sleep mode which laptops can also do. This is still powered as =
memory stays in memory.

--=20
http://www.g2mil.com/Apr2003.htm
http://prorev.com/forbesrussia.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------
David Candy
http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Bill Blanton" > wrote in message =
...
> I don't think you understand "hibernation-mode". The contents of the
> memory are saved to file, and when you reboot, it is reloaded. The
> memory state, and so the whole state of the system, is the same
> as it was when you "hibernated" and shutdown.
>=20
> In your case, the hiberfil.sys file is just as safe from the tornado =
as
> any other file.
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
> "Bernie" > wrote in message =
...
> > Ok a class 5 tornado takes out the local electric substation, the =
power does
> > not come back on for three hours. A desktop computer that has had =
it's
> > files saved and is shut down is not affected. A desktop computer in
> > hibernation with programs and files open is affected. Hibernation =
is for
> > unplugged laptops running on batteries to conserve the battery. =
Hibernation
> > is not so that one can walk away from ones computer for extended =
periods of
> > time and feel confident that when you come back all will be as it =
was. If
> > your using a desktop your better off with a UPS and software that =
auto saves
> > and shuts down the system.
> > Bernie
> >
> > "David Candy" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > A hibernating computer and a switched off computer are the same. As =
the
> > computer boots normally it notices a hiberation file and restores =
that.
> >
> > --
> > http://www.g2mil.com/Apr2003.htm
> > http://prorev.com/forbesrussia.htm
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------
> > David Candy
> > http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------
> > "Bernie" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > >
> > > "Bill Blanton" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > "Bernie" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > > YES, YES, YES YES!!!!!!!
> > > >
> > > > You you agree then?
> > > >
> > > Only people who have not used hibernate because they do not own a =
laptop
> > ask
> > > this question. They think they are going to save $30.00 on their =
electric
> > > bill.
> > > That's not what hibernate is for. It's designed to save battery =
life on a
> > > laptop when you walk away from it for a short period of =
time........ That
> > > spells period for any one who can't read sign. If you do not own =
a laptop
> > > and want to save on electric bills shut down your computer when =
your done
> > > with it. If the laptop is plugged into a wall socket and goes =
into
> > > hibernate it's still going to draw power to charge the battery up. =
If
> > it's
> > > not plugged into a wall socket it's going to draw less power from =
the
> > > battery when it goes into hibernate.
> > > Why the hell are we even debating this.
> > > Bernie
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>=20
>=20

[Richard]

You had better read up on how hibernation operates!

"Bernie" > wrote in message
...
> Ok a class 5 tornado takes out the local electric substation, the power
does
> not come back on for three hours. A desktop computer that has had it's
> files saved and is shut down is not affected. A desktop computer in
> hibernation with programs and files open is affected. Hibernation is for
> unplugged laptops running on batteries to conserve the battery.
Hibernation
> is not so that one can walk away from ones computer for extended periods
of
> time and feel confident that when you come back all will be as it was. If
> your using a desktop your better off with a UPS and software that auto
saves
> and shuts down the system.
> Bernie
>
> "David Candy" > wrote in message
> ...
> A hibernating computer and a switched off computer are the same. As the
> computer boots normally it notices a hiberation file and restores that.
>
> --
> http://www.g2mil.com/Apr2003.htm
> http://prorev.com/forbesrussia.htm
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> David Candy
> http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> "Bernie" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Bill Blanton" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > "Bernie" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > > YES, YES, YES YES!!!!!!!
> > >
> > > You you agree then?
> > >
> > Only people who have not used hibernate because they do not own a laptop
> ask
> > this question. They think they are going to save $30.00 on their
electric
> > bill.
> > That's not what hibernate is for. It's designed to save battery life on
a
> > laptop when you walk away from it for a short period of time........
That
> > spells period for any one who can't read sign. If you do not own a
laptop
> > and want to save on electric bills shut down your computer when your
done
> > with it. If the laptop is plugged into a wall socket and goes into
> > hibernate it's still going to draw power to charge the battery up. If
> it's
> > not plugged into a wall socket it's going to draw less power from the
> > battery when it goes into hibernate.
> > Why the hell are we even debating this.
> > Bernie
> >
> >
>
>

[Alex Nichol]

Bill Blanton wrote:

>
>Of course not just directories. It seems to do with what XP has loaded
>as FAT. I don't remember the exact details, but I think that you can
>open explorer in XP to a specific dir, hibernate and reboot to 9x,
>create a file in that same dir, then boot back (un-hibernate), and the
>file will either be gone or you get an access denied. Boot back to 9x
>and the file is gone. XP has written back the FAT it had in memory.
>
>
>There are probably other scenarios, but that's one that's easy to
>reproduce.

There are certainly dangers in hibernating one system and then on switch
on deciding to boot to another. But using the BING boot manager this is
one I find I am not in danger of doing. As I have it set, if I just
switch on, it boots to the system which I just left, needing explicit
intervention to get a menu and choose a different one; and swapping to
another system is done direct after doing a shut-down; not Hibernating.
Putting the system in danger would have to be the result of a deliberate
action.

Also the scenario you mention is related to files created in a mutual
partition; not a total endangering of the system - any OS partition
being totally hidden from the other systems


--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows - File Systems)
Bournemouth, U.K.

[Bill Blanton]

"Alex Nichol" > wrote in message ...
> Bill Blanton wrote:
>
> >
> >Of course not just directories. It seems to do with what XP has loaded
> >as FAT. I don't remember the exact details, but I think that you can
> >open explorer in XP to a specific dir, hibernate and reboot to 9x,
> >create a file in that same dir, then boot back (un-hibernate), and the
> >file will either be gone or you get an access denied. Boot back to 9x
> >and the file is gone. XP has written back the FAT it had in memory.
> >
> >
> >There are probably other scenarios, but that's one that's easy to
> >reproduce.
>
> There are certainly dangers in hibernating one system and then on switch
> on deciding to boot to another. But using the BING boot manager this is
> one I find I am not in danger of doing. As I have it set, if I just
> switch on, it boots to the system which I just left, needing explicit
> intervention to get a menu and choose a different one; and swapping to
> another system is done direct after doing a shut-down; not Hibernating.
> Putting the system in danger would have to be the result of a deliberate
> action.

Well, in my case it was accidental, not realizing at the time that XP would
"remember" the FAT structure, and not reread the tables. Never crossed
my mind actually, until 9x scandisk started showing a lot of errors across
a few partitions on two separate drives.


> Also the scenario you mention is related to files created in a mutual
> partition; not a total endangering of the system - any OS partition
> being totally hidden from the other systems

True, but shared partitions by thier nature, are usually of more value than the OS.

[Kent W. England [MVP]]

I hibernate a BING multi-boot system with a bunch of OS partitions and
one user data partition. I sometimes switch to another OS before I
return to the hibernated OS. I don't leave apps open and BING has its
own partition. Never a hiccup. XP is robust enough it only has to be
rebooted every 27 days or so. Coming out of hibernation is much faster,
esp. the networking part. And I often switch networks during
hibernation.

--
Kent W. England, Microsoft MVP for Windows


"Alex Nichol" > wrote in
message ...
> Walter Clayton wrote:
>
> >Longer term? If this box is multi-booted using 3rd party boot
management, do
> >*not* hibernate. Otherwise, you're call.
>
> That I think will depend on the third party method concerned - this is
> BING *in its own partition*. So the reboot goes through that , and
then
> on booting the XP partition that boot system picks up its hibernation,
> quite successfully. But would *not* want it on one of the setups
where
> the Boot manager is sharing the same partition as a system