Dell Stand By mode issue

After my Dell Optiplex GX-270 has gone into stand by mode for any
length of time, the only way to "re-awaken" it is by pressing the
on/off switch until the computer shuts down and then re-starting it.
Everything then runs normally. If I just move the mouse or touch the
keyboard it sounds like it's about to "awaken" but the hard drive
light just blinks endlessly with an audible click with each blink.
This problem started about a month ago but I can't recall any special
event that caused this. I phoned Dell tech but they weren't able to
help although they ran all the hard drive diagnostics and everything
was fine. I'm running XP SP2 and in every other way the computer is
functioning normally. Thanks for any assistance.

 

I have in the past disabled hibernate mode. to do this right click the desktop and select properties then select screensaver then select power then select the hibernate tab and uncheck hibernate.

 

Hi Halvah,

Either of these two stir up any idea's you haven't considered? Something to do with "power profile's."

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=50009562&f=77909774&m=5560975395

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/t1019158863


GF

 

Thanks GF - tons of info, much of it beyond my ken. The Windows annoyances thread was fantastic but seemed to deal mostly with Stand By not stopping the fans or similar. My problem is getting out of Stand By. I have disabled hibernate and tried various configuration settings, but all to no avail. Can't figure why this problem would start after two years of it working fine. Guess I'll just have to live with it and simply turn off the computer if I'm going to be away from it for awhile. In your view, is it better to simply leave the machine running or turn it off?

Thanks for your time.

 

That's a pro/con question turning your box off and one I don't feel has any right or wrong answer. For myself with a laptop, off if I know my eye's are shell-shocked from too many Google response's or have to run out for something or another. Otherwise a few hour's in the morning and few at night is about the sum of it. Concerning either standby or hibernate I've read waaay too many problem's arising from their use, including several M$ document's admitting a less than perfect implementation. That standby work's on the principle of less electricity ~ or so the concept goes ~ my inexperienced "hunch" lean's toward's something having to do with the power supply or how it's addressed by the system.

Currently I've started probing ~ yes, probing ~ an experienced computer buddy of mine for possible hardware related issue's which may be a root cause of what your experiencing so, keep a tab on this thread, I'll update you as I learn more.

If the latest BIOS for your system is intact, motherboard's chipset device driver's updated, here's one more page I thought you might have a look at.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_standby.htm


GF