Windows XP or Vista & "Sleep Mode"

[Burner27]

Just curious about SLEEP mode for these two OSes. I never used the option and I was wondering if someone could help give me some "Pros" & "Cons" to its use.

Does it harm hardware? (I.E. : Video cards & CPUs especially since they have cooling fans)

When downloading, can your computer go into sleep mode and still download?

Any other information would be very helpful.

Thank you.

[Soulburner]

All transmissions (upload and download) are ended when your system goes into standby.

It simply shuts down your system, but keeps a small amount of voltage to your RAM so it does not lose its memory. It is less than whats needed for it to normally operate. Standby is largely handled by your BIOS.

I use it every day, because I have to pay my electric bill and it makes a difference. The main selling point to me though, is whenever I come home and hit the power button, I have my desktop in 3-5 seconds because I don't have to boot Windows.

[Burner27]

All transmissions (upload and download) are ended when your system goes into standby.

It simply shuts down your system, but keeps a small amount of voltage to your RAM so it does not lose its memory. It is less than whats needed for it to normally operate. Standby is largely handled by your BIOS.

I use it every day, because I have to pay my electric bill and it makes a difference. The main selling point to me though, is whenever I come home and hit the power button, I have my desktop in 3-5 seconds because I don't have to boot Windows.

Thanks for the reply. Do you HAVE to use the power buttom to bring it out of standby?

[Soulburner]

If you use S3 (Suspend to RAM) standby yes, because nothing in your system is powered. Maybe if you use S1 you could bring it out of sleep with the keyboard, but I don't like that method because it keeps most of your system, PSU, fans running. I'm just guessing because I'm not sure, but I know with S3 standby you can't, your peripherals don't have power. The other mode I don't like because its pointless IMO, if things are still running (HD's are shut off though).

[Burner27]

If you use S3 (Suspend to RAM) standby yes, because nothing in your system is powered. Maybe if you use S1 you could bring it out of sleep with the keyboard, but I don't like that method because it keeps most of your system, PSU, fans running. I'm just guessing because I'm not sure, but I know with S3 standby you can't, your peripherals don't have power. The other mode I don't like because its pointless IMO, if things are still running (HD's are shut off though).

Thank you again for your reply. Having things in S3 (Suspend to RAM) will not harm my video card right? I am just a wee bit paranoid since just dropping $600 for it.

[Soulburner]

I've been using it every day twice a day for 2 years, no adverse affects. That's 700+ times in/out of standby. It shuts down your whole system, there is no way it could damage anything.

It's nice if you have a button on your keyboard for it...hit the button and walk away.

You will want to make sure you have SP2 if you have XP, I remember having problems way back in the day before bugs were worked out. Also in your BIOS you should be able to choose between S1 or S3.

[XSAlliN]

As nVidia recommends on her own forum - Windows XP. :)

[Burner27]

As nVidia recommends on her own forum - Windows XP. :)

HUH?