OT - Computer question - computer guys.

[Old Savage]

What is a computer actually doing when it is "hibernating" as in if you just just the laptop while it is running.

[flatnose]

It is doing nothing. It is in a power saving mode. Its on standby, if you want to call it that.
The reason for using it, is to cut down on wear and tear and prolong the life of the system and components. Shutting down and starting up a computer generates more wear and tear than putting it into a low power hibernation or sleep mode. Whilst in hibernation mode power consumption is reduced to 10 or 15watts, but the computer is quickly able to restore full operating mode without the need for a complete boot up.
That is my understanding of what it is supposed to do. The new computer that i am using is running vista, and for the last six months I have not shut it down.

[flatnose]

Sorry, I was not quite correct. Here is more info http://techpaul.wordpress.com/2007/11/0 ... leepvista/

[AmBraCol]

What is a computer actually doing when it is "hibernating" as in if you just just the laptop while it is running.

"Hibernate" saves your desktop in its current state and then shuts down. This way when you restart you can pick up right where you left off. I BELIEVE it will open the same programs you had open with the same documents you were viewing, but I'm not sure. I never use it.

"Standby", on the other hand, will place your computer in a low power state so that you can quickly resume work with a minimum of "boot" time. I rarely use this feature either.

[Old Savage]

This from a search at Shutdown Lock

Q. What is the Hibernation in Windows 2000/XP/2003?
A. When a computer enters hibernation, a snapshot of all computer settings and memory contents of a computer is taken, the information is saved to the local hard disk, and then the computer is turned off. When you restart the computer, all the settings and memory contents are restored to their original state. Unlike the standby state, the computer does not require power to maintain itself when it enters hibernation. All documents and programs are restored to their original state when the computer comes out of hibernation. This article describes how to configure a Windows 2000- compatible computer that supports Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) to enter hibernation.