Laptop won't hibernate

Cliddy

I have a toshiba XP laptop that has behaved itself for some time now, but just recently won't go into automatic hibernation (after 30 mins non use) Therefore stays on all night ! When I test it (or rather stand there looking at it !) I can see disc activity. Nothing should be running though. Any ideas ?

mike.mccusker

you need to check your power saving options. Right click on the desktop and select Properties then the Screen Saver tab. You should have a Power... button press it and check everything is configured to shutdown etc.

Cliddy

Thanks, I've checked all this. To test out what's going on (and not wait up all night) I've changed settings to screen off in 1 min, disc off in 2 and standby in 3). It doesn't get beyond screen off. Light continues to flash with disc activity. It's obviously doing the same with more realistic timescales as well.

mike.mccusker

mmmm, we need to find out what is hammering the disk. It could be windows itself - have you checked to see how much disk space if free?
If there is plenty then right click on the bar at the bottom and select Task Manger. Click on processes and then sort by cpu (just click on the cpu) you may need to click on it twice to see the processes taking the most cpu. In a normal system System Idle should be taking around 99% - what does yours look like?

netdumdum

I was watching a programme about this, its down to global warming, a lot of bears arent hibernating either as they dont think its cold enough to be winter yet.

Cliddy

Yes plenty of disc space. System Idle at around 85% and System at around 15%

mike.mccusker

There are lots of sub processes present under the System Process,so you have to find out what specific sub process is consuming maximum CPU%.To do this you have to expand System Process and identify the sub process causing the problem. Download and install -"Process Explorer": http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/ProcessExplorer.html This tool will help you to identify the curlprit.

Cliddy

Done all that (impressed myself !) At any particular moment there are between 2 + 7 processes running under System. Any you want me to list in particular ?

mike.mccusker

you need to find the ones that take most cpu - on a normal inactive system the system process should not be taking 15%

Cliddy

Had to take a break. Anyway continued to look at results of idea above and basically got totally confused by the numerous activities running at any one time (of course constantly changing) BUT....... had a thought. I am using Google Chrome. Chrome is one of the activities coming and going in results above.
Did a test. When I delete Chrome before leaving the laptop then it appears to hibernate OK. When I leaving it running it doesn't. This is based on a very limited test. Now I think a recent change has been that Chrome is no longer Beta and that I had an update recently. I think my problem started "recently". Could this possible ring any bells with anyone. Deleting Chrome at the end of each session is a practical but not very helpful suggestion !

Cliddy

Loaner why would I do that ?

I don't get too excited about which browser I use, but Chrome has excellent search facilities while keying in web site required. Auto completing etc.
Also have proved recently it's not Chrome causing prob. as I can leave running or not and same prob.