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Have Windows Power Down Your Computer Automatically

Intended For

Windows XP

Windows 2000

Windows Me

Windows 98

I first noticed it on my laptop - whenever I chose Shut Down from the Start Menu, I would never see the "It's safe to turn the computer off" screen - the system would simply power down. In order to configure your computer to behave this way, you need the following circumstances:

If you're using a desktop (as opposed to a portable) computer, you must have a newer-style ATX case and motherboard.
You can tell an ATX system from the power button - if it's a momentary pushbutton (that doesn't stay in when you press it), you've likely got an ATX case. This allows the computer to shut itself off.
Secondly, you must have Power Management enabled in your BIOS - enter your BIOS setup when first starting your computer (usually by pressing the DEL key), and make sure any options labelled Advanced Power Management, APM, or APM-aware OS are enabled.
Windows XP only: double-click the Power Options icon in Control Panel, select the APM tab, and turn on the Enable Advanced Power Management support option.

If all is well, Windows should power down your system the next time you shut down.

Notes:

If the Power or Power Options (depending on your version of Windows) icon does not appear in your Control Panel, Windows isn't recognizing your computer's power management features. Run the Add New Hardware wizard and have it automatically detect any new hardware to force it to recognize APM. If that doesn't work, check the manual that came with your system or motherboard for more information on enabling Advanced Power Management support - you may have to get a motherboard BIOS update from the manufacturer.
For Windows 2000 and Windows XP, you may have to update your HAL to install full support for APM.

Written by: Annoyances.org
Last updated: Sunday, November 18, 2001

Previous discussions about this article:
(open a message to see applicable responses, if any)

[Windows 98] Windows Power Down Your Computer Automatically' (kassabk: Tuesday, August 21, 2001)
[Windows 98] Question about 'Have Windows Power Down Your Computer Automatically' (David Liguori: Saturday, November 17, 2001)
[Windows 2000] Question about 'Have Windows Power Down Your Computer Automatically' (James Brady: Wednesday, January 30, 2002)
[Windows XP] Question about 'Have Windows Power Down Your Computer Automatically' (Danny Peters: Monday, August 26, 2002)
[Windows Me] Question about 'Have Windows Power Down Your Computer Automatically' (Rich Trotto: Thursday, August 29, 2002)
[Windows XP] The easy way to have XP power down automatically (zerstoerer: Thursday, November 14, 2002)
[Windows 98] Question about 'Have Windows Power Down Your Computer Automatically' (Evie: Tuesday, January 14, 2003)
[Windows 2000] 'Have Windows NOT Power Down Your Computer Automatically' (Jim: Thursday, February 13, 2003)
[Windows 98] How to get my Windows 98 computer to automatically shutdown by it's self. (Daniel: Saturday, January 17, 2004)
[Windows XP] Question about 'Have Windows Power Down Your Computer Automatically' (Andygard: Thursday, January 22, 2004)
[Windows 2000] Question about 'Have Windows Power Down Your Computer Automatically' (Marc: Thursday, June 24, 2004)
[Windows XP] Question about 'Have Windows Power Down Your Computer Automatically' (Ajack: Monday, February 21, 2005)
[Windows XP] Question about 'Have Windows Power Down Your Computer Automatically' (Tess Jones: Tuesday, November 29, 2005)

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