Windows 7 sleep issue

StewartR

StewartR

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I'm experiencing a bizarre, but repeated, issue with my Windows 7 PC.

When I have been away from my desk for a while, the power management kicks in. The system is supposed to turn of the display after 10 minutes, and put the computer to sleep after 30 minutes. But what actually happens is quite weird and annoying.

When I come back to the PC, both monitors are blank, except that the mouse pointer is visible and responds to movements of the mouse. None of the keys on the keyboard have any effect, except Ctrl-Alt-Del. This brings up the Windows 7 login screen on the primary monitor, with the usual options to log in, start Task Manager, switch user, log off, etc. However, whichever option I select, it takes me back to a blank monitor with just a mouse pointer. The only way to recover the system seems to be to do a hard reset, ie cycle the power switch on the PC unit.

The login screen has a button down in the bottom right hand corner to allow me to shut the system down. However, this is ineffective. The screen goes blank (apart from the mouse pointer) and I think it's probably trying to show me a warning message that there are programs still running or something like that. But I can't see it, so I can't tell where to click to dismiss it and allow the system to shut down gracefully.

Any suggestions? I guess I could disable the power management, but I'd prefer a solution which doesn't waste so much energy.
 
Personally, I would disable the hibernation, doubt if it saves much leccy over the day.
 
I have something similar. I choose the sleep option and walk away. The machine frequently wakes itself, but not always the monitor, up. Doesn't always happen and sometimes happens several times in a row then stops again. Only solution I have found is to walk away and let the machine put itself to sleep. Seems as though there is something in the command operation that is a bit "iffy".
 
check that the power option timings are not conflicting with the screen saver timings
 
redsnappa said:
check that the power option timings are not conflicting with the screen saver timings
Click to expand...
That's an interesting idea. How could they, in theory, conflict?

I mean, the way I see it: Surely the power management options would work whether or not the screen saver is running? And surely if the power management has already switched the screen off or put the machine to sleep then the screen saver would do nothing?

But the fact that you think otherwise suggests I might be missing something. What is it?
 
I have had this problem with a few PC's, and each time I had to go into the Bios and disable "Wake on lan", it seems that every time my phone connected to the router the signal woke my PC through the Lan connection.
 
mickledore said:
I have something similar. I choose the sleep option and walk away. The machine frequently wakes itself, but not always the monitor, up. Doesn't always happen and sometimes happens several times in a row then stops again. Only solution I have found is to walk away and let the machine put itself to sleep. Seems as though there is something in the command operation that is a bit "iffy".
Click to expand...
Sorry, my above comment was meant for you, but I forgot to click quote :)
 
Happens on mine too, very annoying. Oh well, gives me another reason to upgrade to Windows 10 I suppose.
 
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