Microsoft Windows (2000 PRO, to be specific) contains a "Power Options" control panel that can shut down a computer, either partially or completely, during inactive times. Is there a simple solution to configure and activate these power saving options across an entire networked office environment? Are people doing this in a centralized, automated procedure or do individual workers have to go in and change settings on every computer? I've heard from network managers that activating these power saving options en masse is not entirely simple and requires additional software tools to avoid potential problems. I'd like to hear opinions on this matter to understand if there is a practical solution at hand.
Thanks,
Neil
Configuring "Power Options" in a Windows Network Environment?
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Hi Neil,
At Sustainability Victoria all our PCs and laptops are set so they go into "auto standby" mode when left unattended. However, staff are encouraged to place the unit into "full standby" if they are going to a meeting or to lunch and will be absent from their desk for more than 10 or 15 minutes. This reduces the energy use substantially compared with "auto standby" mode. With a laptop this is usually achieved by simply shutting the lid or pressing the small power switch that is depressed when the lid is closed. It does not require any special software tools.
Regards
John
John Osborne
Renewables, Sustainability Victoria
T: 03 8626 8783 | F: 03 9663 1007
Level 28, Urban Workshop,
50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
...
A friend at EPA asked me to post the following reply for her-Ellen Yost: ENERGY STAR's free EZ GPO tool allows a network administrator to centrally control power management settings using Group Policy Objects (GPOs). In addition to setting monitor power management, EZ GPO can also activate "system standby," which places the computer (CPU, hard drive, etc.) to sleep. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power_mgt.pr_pm_ez_gpo
Regards
Ken Ferguson
Technology Therapist
Computer Sciences Corporation
US EPA Region 6
Emergency Operations Center
(c) 214-316-6562
(w) 214-665-9708
(f) 214-665-9718