Computer won't go into Standby Mode?

" Dear Dennis,

I recently read your article regarding 'PC won't go into hibernation mode with Digital Camera?', dated November 19, 2003. I have somewhat of a related problem. When I click Start -> Standby, my monitor shuts off and the PC appears to go into a low power state, but then quickly comes back to life a second later.

Any idea why my computer won't remain in Standby mode? "

My Response:

There could be a number of reasons why the computer won't remain in Standby mode.

If Standby mode is enabled, normal PC operation resumes once an interrupt (such as a key press or mouse movement) is detected by the computer. To ensure that the computer remains in Standby, do not move the mouse or press any keys on your keyboard.

After researching this topic further, I discovered that there are a number of compliance issues related to Standby mode. In a nutshell, any one of the following may cause Standby mode not to function properly: device drivers (video card and mouse drivers are popular reasons), a program running in the background which interferes with Standby mode (such as a screen saver), or a BIOS Power Saving setting which needs to be enabled.

From RageUnderground.com, I found the following Microsoft Knowledge Base links pertinent:

• Suspend Command Appears on Start Menu But Does Not Function
• Suspend command won't work when APM is enabled
• Err Msg: Your Computer Cannot Go on Standby Because a Device...
• Windows Does Not Go Into or Resume from Standby Mode
• OpenGL Screen Saver Prevents Power Management Standby Mode
• Computer May Be Unable to Start Standby Mode
• Standby Missing From Windows Shutdown Dialog Box
• Err Msg: A Device Driver or Program Will Not Let Your System...
• Auto Insert Notification May Prevent Automatic Suspend
• Computer Is Unable to Go to Standby Mode

For a more in-depth explanation on compliance issues, visit RageUnderground.com. It also has many more MS Knowledge Base Links which aren't listed above.

http://www.rageunderground.com/articles/standby.shtml