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Getting Started

Turning off the computer

Options for turning off the computer

Depending on the operating system installed, you have more than one option available for turning off the computer: Shut Down, Hibernate, and Sleep. Each option has its advantages.

❖Use the Shut Down or Hibernate command if you will not be using the computer for several days or if you must turn off your computer.

You must turn off your computer in order to upgrade your computer’s internal hardware (such as memory), or to add an external device that does not connect using a USB or IEEE 1394 port on your computer.

TECHNICAL NOTE: Before using the Shut Down option to turn off your computer, save your files and make sure all disk/disc activity lights are off.

If you change your mind and decide to continue working after all, wait a few seconds before turning the computer on again.

❖Use the Sleep command to save your work, system settings, and current state of the desktop on the hard disk, so that when you turn on the computer again, you will quickly and automatically return to where you left off.

Hibernation mode

Hibernation mode shuts the computer down completely, but it first saves the current state of the computer to memory. Since Hibernation mode does not require power to maintain the saved information, system settings are retained indefinitely.

Factors to consider when choosing Hibernation:❖While in Hibernation mode, the computer uses no main battery power.

❖Because the state of the system is stored on the hard disk, no data is lost if the main battery discharges.

❖Restarting from Hibernation takes less time and consumes less main battery power than restarting after turning off the computer using the Shut down command.

❖Restarting from Hibernation takes a little more time and consumes more main battery power than restarting from Sleep.