"Paul" <nospam@needed.com> wrote in message news:g4j23l$f87$1@aioe.org...
> Jo-Anne wrote:
>> I'm about to buy a Dell notebook computer with the downgrade to Windows
>> XP Pro. One option (you can take it or leave it) is Energy Star Enabled.
>> According to Dell, it uses "Energy Star power management features, which
>> allow the computer to enter a very low power mode when not in use for a
>> specified period of time."
>>
>> Can this option cause any problems with the computer? Given that Dell
>> isn't making it standard, I worry about such things as the screen saver
>> keeping the screen blank even when you want it back.
>>
>> Thank you!
>>
>> Jo-Anne
>
> http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?...crit_computers
>
> Standby (Off Mode): <= 1.0 W
>
> Sleep Mode: <= 1.7 W
>
> Idle State*:
>
> * Category A: <= 14.0 W
> * Category B: <= 22.0 W
>
> What is the model number of the Dell ?
>
> The computer should still have a Power Management control panel,
> where you can change the current scheme.
>
> Paul
>
Thank you, Paul! It's the Precision M4300 Workstation. I read the info at
the link, but of course it doesn't deal with people's experience using
Energy Star computers. I have a vague memory of a few years ago when, once
the screen went to sleep, you couldn't get it back without rebooting; and I
think it had to do with energy saving. You could turn off the sleep mode so
it would never get used, but you wouldn't know it was an issue until the
problem occurred.

Jo-Anne