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does changing the power options affect internet performance?

Anonymous
2012-03-30T09:50:28+00:00

Hello.

I have only a dongle (usb stick) to connect to the internet, which is the slowest and least reliable way to connect. There is no prospect of me getting a different connection so for a long time I set my computer to 'High Performance' in the Power Options section of the operating system (Windows 7). My thinking was that this helped my internet connection but now I'm thinking that HIgh Performance just refers to the functioning of the computer's operating system. If this is the case then I'd much rather save money by setting the computer to 'Balanced' or less.

Thanks in advance for any answers.  PS,  My computer is a laptop, 32-Bit.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-03-30T11:26:02+00:00

    No, it doesn't. Power options have effects on screen brightness, shutting down various pieces of hardware..

    When you change to balanced  or less, do this afterwards..

    Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing > Changing Adapter setting

    Right click on the connection being used and select Properties > Configure button > Power Management tab and uncheck both boxes..

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-03-31T14:48:09+00:00

    Thanks for the points you've made, SC Tom.

    I don't have a USB adapter---I neglected to mention that my USB stick uses mobile broadband, ie, it connects wirelessly to mobile telephone (cellphone) masts, and in effect uses the mobile 'phone network in the UK.  I don't know whether using the wi-fi facility on my laptop would be faster and more reliable but to be honest I'm not currently interested in it.   Mobile broadband seems to work fairly well where I live, it's just that the Power Options question became a bugbear.

    I looked at the options under 'Change advanced power settings' but don't consider it necessary to change any of them.  Thanks also for your comments on the CPU settings (which I'm leaving alone) and your general view on laptop power consumption compared to other things.

    Regards,

    Graeme Manfive.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-03-31T14:41:52+00:00

    Are you sure that you are clicking on one of the connections labelled 'Local Area Connection'?

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-03-31T12:44:14+00:00

    Thanks, Mr Hall for your swift answer.  I've followed your advice and moved my power plan to 'balanced'.

    As for the rest, I've followed your advice up to the point where I select the configure button.  After this I get a 'Modem Configuration' dialog box which has no 'Power Management' tab (or any tabs). It has 4 check boxes: 1) Enable hardware flow control, 2) Enable modem error control, 3) Enable modem compression, 4) Enable modem speaker.  Only the first one is checked and I've left it as it is.

    Thanks anyway for offering some simple advice!

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-03-30T11:41:08+00:00

    I'm assuming the USB adapter is for wireless networking, not for a network cable?

    If you go into your Power Options, and select Balanced, then "Change advanced power settings," you can fine tune each of the settings. For example, under Wireless Adapter Settings, you can set it to use less power when on battery than when you're on AC power. This does not slow down the transfer rate, but it will reduce your range, so if you are at the limit (or close to it) of your range, reducing the power may cause intermittent loss of signal.

    The biggest power hog in your laptop is most likely the CPU. You can change those settings under "Processor power management", but be aware that if you set it too low, you may save some money, but you'll raise your frustration level because the laptop will run slower :)

    If things are running well right now, I wouldn't worry about saving money by crippling the speed of your system when on AC. Your not going to see any appreciable difference in your power bill. If you're really looking to save money there, numerous other changes around the house would be more helpful, like mini-fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent, changing your thermostat settings, etc. In the grand scheme of things, a laptop doesn't draw that much.

    SC Tom

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