I need to restart Windows

Occasionally, you’ll be directed to reset the laptop, which is often referred to as “restarting Windows.” To do so, heed these steps:

1. Save your work and close all your programs.

2. Click the Start button.

3. Click the Turn Off Computer button.

4. Click the Restart button.

The laptop seems like it’s turning itself off, but just before it does, it starts right back up again. Amazing.

Note that sometimes restarting Windows is automatic. You’ll generally be given a choice: “Would you like to restart Windows now?” If so, click the Yes button, and things happen automatically. But if the process is stalled, such as you have an open and (gasp!) unsaved document, you’ll have to interrupt things, take care of business, then manually restart Windows according to the preceding steps.

Putting your laptop to sleep (Stand By) mode

All laptops have a special low-power mode. In this mode, the computer is still on but power to certain areas is shut off. That way it’s possible to keep the laptop ready for an extended period of time without wasting a lot of battery juice. This low-power mode is called Stand By mode, but many people refer to it as sleep mode.

To put your laptop to sleep, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Click the Turn Off Computer button.

3. Click the Stand By button.

The computer quickly prepares to Stand By. You might hear a beep. Then it appears to be turned off, but — shhh! — it’s merely sleeping.

The amount of time your computer survives in Stand By mode can be infinite. If it’s plugged into the wall, then you can keep the laptop in Stand By mode as long as there is power. On batteries, Stand By mode lasts a long time, but how long is a guess. I’d say the laptop will be fine for anything up to an hour or so unless the battery is really low. In that case, you’d want to use Hibernation mode (covered later in this chapter).

Yes, it’s probably a good idea to save your stuff before entering Stand By mode. But it’s forgivable not to when you need to suspend operations quickly.

If you’re going to quit all your programs before going into Stand By mode, then just shut down the laptop instead. Honestly, the laptop does mysteriously benefit from being turned off every once in a while.

The moon light might be on when the laptop is in Stand By mode.

I do recommend that you save your work before entering Stand By mode. The reason is just in case you don’t get back to the laptop and eventually the battery does drain. If you save first, you’ll be assured that your stuff is safe.

Refer to Chapter 8 for information on checking how much charge is left in your laptop’s battery.

Sometimes Stand By mode gets “lost.” When that happens, it’s typically a software thing. Either you need to turn off the laptop and then turn it back on again, or your laptop’s power management software needs updating. Refer to your laptop manufacturer’s Web site for the latter.