Off

On (Add-in NIC)

On (Integrated NIC)

If On (Add-in NIC) or On (Integrated NIC) is selected, a special local area network (LAN) signal from a server management console starts the system. Wakeup On LAN capability also allows remote computer setup, BIOS upgrades, software downloading and installation, file updates, and asset tracking after hours and on weekends when LAN traffic is typically at a minimum. You must reboot your system for a change to take effect.

NOTE: The Wakeup On LAN feature functions even when the computer is turned off; however, the computer must be plugged into a working electrical outlet at all times and must be shut down in the normal method expected by the operating system. Thus, if you disconnect the system power cable from its electrical outlet, if a power failure occurs, or if you shut down the system abnormally, the Wakeup On LAN feature will not work.

Power Management

For certain types of monitors and most EIDE hard-disk drives, you can reduce system power consumption by enabling the power management feature. With power management enabled, these monitors and drives automatically switch into low-power mode during periods of system inactivity.

Power Management can be implemented at three levels - Maximum, Regular, and Minimum. (The different levels apply to the monitor only; hard-disk drive operation is the same for all three.) The default for this option is Disabled.

Saving Monitor Power

If you have a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA®) Display Power Management Signaling (DPMS)-compliant monitor, enabling the power management option reduces monitor power consumption during periods of keyboard and mouse inactivity.

CAUTION: Check your monitor documentation to make sure you have a DPMS-compliant monitor before you enable this feature. Otherwise, you risk damaging the monitor.

NOTES: The power management feature monitors activity of a mouse connected to the PS/2-compatible mouse port.

Some 3D graphics cards do not support DPMS. Refer to the 3D graphics card documentation for DPMS compliance information.

By setting Power Management to Maximum, Regular, or Minimum, you can set predefined time-out periods (see Table 3-2) for the two successive monitor shutdown stages, standby and off.

NOTE: Each monitor manufacturer defines the details of the shutdown stages for its own monitors. However, in all cases power consumption decreases with each stage from "on" (full power) to "standby" (reduced power; the display image usually disappears) to "off" (where power consumption is minimal). To define these stages for your monitor, see the documentation that came with the monitor.

For most DPMS-compliant monitors, any subsequent activity - including moving the mouse - should return full power to the monitor.

Check your monitor documentation for information on how your monitor is designed to operate.

Saving EIDE Hard-Disk Drive Power

For most systems, enabling Power Management at any level causes EIDE hard-disk drives to switch to low-power mode after about 20 minutes of system inactivity (see Table 3-2).

NOTES: All EIDE drives shipped by Dell with your system support this feature.