To Standby or Hibernate: that is the question

Computer Care: Frequent ‘naps,’ then a long rest, best to power down PC

By Arthur Glazer
arthur@glazerthepctech.com

POSTED June 20, 2009 12:12 a.m.

There is an ongoing debate concerning powering down computers. Should you leave them on 24/7 or turn them off when you’re done with them?

There are benefits to doing both, so I compromise with my computers. I put them to sleep. Since I use my PCs on and off most of the day, I leave them turned on, but put them in a state of hibernation.

Now let’s first discuss the difference between sleep, or standby, and hibernation. They both turn off the monitor and hard drive.

In standby mode, all that you are working on is first saved to RAM or system memory when you turn your computer off. When you wake it up, usually by moving the mouse or pressing the space bar, your system wakes up to what you were previously working on. This is nice, but if you’re using a laptop, it puts a drain on your power supply — namely the battery, if you’re not plugged in.

In standby mode, the computer is in a reduced power state, but remains on.

The difference between that and hibernation is that when the computer hibernates, the data is saved to the hard drive and then the system powers off. When you wake it up, this time via the power button, it, too, returns to where you left off, without any loss of data or power.

With a laptop, you can set it up so all you need to do is close the lid and your system will go in the sleep mode of your choice.

My experience is that with XP, there are some issues with hibernation. I choose standby mode when working with it. Whenever I use hibernate, it would inevitably fail and make me reboot the system, ultimately losing what I was working on.

To disable hibernate in XP, go to Control Panel and click the Power Option icon. From the Hibernate tab there, you can uncheck and thereby disable that function.

Vista works well with either standby or hibernate.

Again, if you’re on a laptop, remember the power drain and keep the sleep to a nap, unless you have it plugged in.

Using XP, all you need to do is right-click on a blank area of your desktop and choose Properties. From there you’ll see a tab called Screen Saver. Within that area is a button that says, Power. Click it and you will be able to customize how and when your computer turns off.

For example, you can set it up so your display goes blank in 10 minutes (of nonuse), your hard drive shuts down in 20 minutes and the system powers down in 30 minutes. Choose whatever works best for you.

With Vista, click the start button and go to Control Panel. Depending upon which view mode you’re in, either click on Power Options, or if you don’t see it, first click on System and Maintenance, then on Power Options.

From there you’ll be able to customize how and when your computer shuts down. Vista is a bit more sophisticated than XP in that it offers power plans to choose from as well as everything XP offers. You can also adjust your display’s brightness setting from there.

Alternatively, right-click your desktop and choose "Personalize" and go to "Screen Saver." At the bottom of that box click on the link to change power settings.

In both operating systems, you can set up different options for when it is plugged in or when on batter power. But Vista takes it a step further. You can choose on a sliding scale whether you want higher performance or longer battery life.

Under Power Options, choose a plan and then click to change plan settings. You could also click the Change Advanced Power Settings option to access the Advanced tab. By clicking on each plus sign you see, you’ll expand that option and have control over everything power related in your computer. It is highly customizable.

Now I have found that not all versions of Vista have exactly the same menu structure. So if you can’t find something, look around; you’re close.

Well, should you leave you computer on all the time? I don’t think it’s a good idea. It puts wear and tear on the moving parts, not to mention the power it uses. Beside, when you power-down a PC and turn it on again, it refreshes the system memory and the computer will run faster.

Also many times when you have a problem, all you need to do is reboot your computer. By turning it off and on again, many small issues are resolved.

I put mine to sleep during the day and shut them down at night. They follow my habits. We take naps during the day and when finished for the night, pull the plug.

Arthur Glazer is a freelance writer and computer technician in Gainesville. His column appears biweekly. Arthur welcomes your computer questions and ideas for future columns.

Video Chat Online

Computer Care: Webcams a great way to stay close

By Arthur Glazer
arthur@glazerthepctech.com

POSTED June 6, 2009 12:41 a.m.

My daughter Molly moved out of the house recently. She not only moved out of the house, but out of the state. So this relates to computers how? I’ll tell you.

Before she left, I set up her laptop with a webcam and a video conferencing program. Now we’re able to video chat with her and send video e-mails. It’s the next best thing to her being in town, and my wife is easier to live with.

This is by no means an expensive or difficult venture. Webcams practically set themselves up and go for $20-$200. There are lots of good ones in the $30-$50 range. You can shop for them locally at most major retailers.

But the best buys, in my opinion, are online. Check out newegg.com, tigerdirect.com, amazon.com, overstock.com or ebay.com.

An advantage to buying online is that you can read comments from those who already purchased the product you’re looking at. If lots of folks say the sound quality is poor, I’ll assume that it is and move on.

Microsoft has more than a few models to choose from, as does Logitech, a big name in webcams. There’s also some from Creative to consider. The software is free and there is a bunch to choose from.

Some of the cameras come with a disc that includes at least one program. I tested Yahoo Messenger, Skype. ooVoo, Microsoft Messenger and SightSpeed. There is also one called Eyeball Chat.

All of these offer free downloadable programs that are easy to use. You register the program, give yourself an identifiable name, plug in the webcam and you’re good to go.

All will allow you to chat online with any service and some will let you create video e-mails as well. You simply send it as an attachment.

If you use Outlook 2003, you can create a video email from within Outlook. The 2007 version, not surprisingly, doesn’t support it.

There are a few things to know about using webcams. Place your cam at eye level about 18-24 inches in front of you. Lots of new laptops and netbooks have them integrated in the bezel around the monitor.

If not an auto-focus model, be sure your image is crisp and clear. Try to position yourself so you are illuminated. If there’s a window or lamp behind you, it will be light and you will be a shadow.

All programs have some adjustments to fine tune your image. (You get to preview your headshot before you transmit it.) Tweak the brightness and contrast if necessary and test the audio.

If you’re trying to hook up a webcam you found lying around your house and you can’t get it to work, consider the operating system. An older cam may only have a device driver for XP; it may not work with Vista. You could always try to download a current driver from the manufacturer’s web site, but you may need to get a new web cam if you have Vista.

It’s also worth mentioning that some, but not all of the webcams come with an integrated microphone. If yours has one, it’s good in that you won’t need an additional piece of hardware.

But realize that a device that small will not generate the best quality audio. Those built-in mics are nothing more than tiny holes on the side of the cam.

There is the option of using a dedicated microphone or even a headset with a boom mic. It’s your choice. All desktops as well as laptops have inputs for headphones and microphones.

The picture quality has a lot to do with the optics of the lens. As with any camera, the more glass, the better the picture. The old adage, "you get what you pay for," applies to both of these instances. But it may work for you. You’re not creating a family archive to be passed down to the generations. It’s a web chat.

A closing caveat: There also are web-based programs. These are the type that you don’t download. You simply go to their Web sites, camera ready, and chat online using their service.

Such sites are chat platforms largely for the singles set. You can join a chat room or create one of your own. They are great for meeting folks online.

But if you’re just looking for a simple 1:1 video chat with your chosen few, choose one of the other programs.

Arthur Glazer is a freelance writer and computer technician in Gainesville. His column appears biweekly. Arthur welcomes your computer questions and ideas for future columns.