Windows 7 Professional Automated Power Options Issue - Won't enter Sleep Mode

I've been fighting this issue since day one of getting this new system
approximately a month ago. HP tech support is no help and I really don't
want to spend $60 for their so called "Smart Friends". I'm hoping that
someone in this newsgroup can help solve my issue.

ISSUE: The system will not enter "sleep mode" when plugged into AC Power.

I can manually enter into sleep mode either thru Start/Sleep or by using the
power buttons on the computer, docking station and/or a remote control
device that came with the computer. It just won't fully respond to the power
options set up via the Control Power.

Interestingly, the monitors, external when docked or laptop monitor when
undocked, do go to sleep per the times set in the Power Options. The problem
is limited to the computer not going to sleep when plugged into AC power.

It makes no difference, if I'm docked or undocked. Also, it makes "zero"
difference if no devices or if all of devices consisting of a wireless
keyboard and mouse; USB connected printer, external hard drive and scanner;
and a VGA connected LED display are connected either directly to the
computer or via the docking station. I've troubleshot all scenarios.

If I'm on battery power, the computer responds correctly.

I ran a "Power Efficiency Diagnostics Report", using powercfg, and have
attached it to this post. It's in html format . It contains a number of
errors and warnings. However, I have no idea on how to interpret the thing
much less take corrective action.

I would appreciate someone reviewing it and providing corrective action
guidance. While not completely computer illiterate, this is way beyond my
level of comprehension or expertise.

If I need to provide additional information, please let me know and I'll
respond ASAP.

 

I'd suggest disabling all your startup items and see whether it works. It's
likely something running that is keeping the system from napping quietly.

 

Richard:
I have an older HP DV2000 laptop with Win-7 Professional x64
installed on a new hard drive and 2GB ram installed, not factory installed.
The sleep function works normally whether plugged in or on battery. I also
didn't have sleep problems running Win-7 beta and RTM. It sounds simple but
is easily missed but in the Control Panel/System and Security/Power
Options/Change plan settings and Change advanced power settings verify that
sleep is enabled on battery and plugged in. I just found under advanced
power settings/Multimedia settings/When sharing media that sleep is disabled
when plugged in. Another possibility is that the system is performing a
backup or indexing which could inhibit the sleep mode.

--
Dennis Pack
Win-7 Enterprise x64, Win-7 Professional x64.

__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4677 (20091210) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com

 

RESOLVED

Lanwench was on the right track. It wasn't a "startup" application, per se,
but rather it was Norton 360 which shows up as a "service" in System
Configuration. After much trouble shooting, the issue was resolved by
uninstalling Norton 360, using the "Norton Removal Tool" and removing all
registry entries for Symantec and Norton using "regedit". I than reinstalled
Norton 360. Now the computer automatically enters "sleep mode" correctly.

In addition, I also reviewed all the Power Management tabs for each device,
listed in the "Device Manager" and UNCHECKED "allow this device to wake the
computer" except for my wireless keyboard, wireless mouse and the notepad
touch pad. I verified that these 3 devices are the only ones allowed to wake
my computer by running, as the administrator, the "powercfg -devicequery
wake_armed" command.

Lastly, I reviewed all of my "Advanced Power Option" settings and verified
that they were properly set including ENABLING "Multimedia settings/When
sharing media that sleep is disabled
when plugged in", as suggested by Dennis Pack.

Thanks to both Lanwench and Dennis for leading me in the right direction.

The key issue was Norton 360 which I verified by disabling and enabling in
the System Configuration Utility. Despite the rest of the stuff I did, when
Norton 360 was enabled, the computer would not "sleep", when disabled, the
"sleep" operated correctly.

The only thing that I don't understand, is why this issue only occurred when
running on AC power but not when running on Battery power. This is not
really important, just curious.