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.