Several windows open, a deadline looming and you glance at the clock: You’re already running late for an important meeting. Or you work at home and suddenly have to dash out the door to pick up the kids. Scenarios vary but the result doesn't--you need to leave your computer in a hurry. Can things on your computer be as you left them--when you return?

The answer is yes. But only if you are using Hibernate and Standby--two features of Windows 98. Hibernate and Standby let you turn off your computer so that when you restart your system, everything is restored exactly as you left it--including unclosed programs and documents. In addition, these features also reduce the power consumption of your computer and any other devices on your system.

Hibernation and Standby
Hibernation allows you to leave your computer for an extended time and still retain your desktop settings. Even if you’re buried in figures on an Excel spreadsheet, there’s no need to fret over a hasty system shutdown. Simply place your system in Hibernation mode. When you restart your computer, your desktop will be restored exactly as you left it--including programs and documents.

If colleagues or phone calls interrupt you a lot, you may also consider putting your computer on automatic hibernation. You can easily set it to go into hibernation after a specified number of minutes.

When you put your computer into Hibernate mode, the Hibernate feature:

• Saves everything in memory on disk
• Turns off your monitor and hard disk
• Turns off your computer

Standby allows you to conserve power when you plan to be away from your computer for only a brief period--perhaps a few hours. Unlike Hibernation, information in computer memory is not saved on your hard disk. If there is an interruption in power, information in memory is lost. Before putting your computer on standby, you should save your work.

Standby is used mainly for conserving power, particularly battery power in laptop computers. Standby turns off your monitor and hard disks, placing your entire system in a low-power state. When you return to your computer, it quickly comes out of standby and your desktop is restored exactly as you left it.

When you put your computer into Standby mode, the standby feature:

• Switches your computer to a low power state
• Turns off devices, such as the monitor and hard disks
• Does not save information in computer memory to disk

Let's Get Started
To put your computer into hibernation:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Power Management icon.
3. Click the Hibernate tab. If the Hibernate tab is not available, your computer does not support this feature. For more details, refer to the information in the right-hand sidebar.
4. Select the Enable hibernate support check box. If you want to specify a time for automatic hibernation, click a time in Switch to hibernation. Otherwise, leave this blank.
5. Click Apply.

To put your computer on standby:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Power Management icon.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Under the When I press the power button on my computer area, click Standby. If you are using a portable computer, click Standby under the When I close the lid of my portable computer area.
5. Click OK or Apply, and then turn off the power or close the lid of your portable computer.

With Hibernation and Standby, leaving your computer in a hurry has never been so easy and trouble-free. It’s enough to make a person want to try their own hand at hibernation and put the rest of the world on standby--for just a short while.



Michael Raymond always looks this way--after he comes out of hibernation.