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Save time booting up your computer

One of the most frustrating moments of my morning is getting to work and sitting there for 10 minutes while my computer boots up. Most mornings, I can get a cup of coffee and visit coworkers while my computer starts and Outlook, IE, and the other applications I use regularly open. My wait time is even more frustrating when I have an early meeting and need a document, but spend the first half of the meeting waiting for my computer to start.

One way I’ve learned to save time in the morning is to put my PC into hibernation mode in the evening. By putting my PC into hibernation mode, all the applications and documents I had open will be exactly the same as they were when I left the previous evening. Hibernate saves an image of your desktop with all open files and documents, and then it powers down your computer.

To put your computer in hibernation:

  1. Open the Control Panel and double-click Power Options.

  2. Click the Hibernate tab and tick Enable Hibernation. Click OK.

    Hibernation mode

  3. When you leave your computer, click Start and then Turn Off Computer.

  4. Hold down SHIFT and a new Hibernate option will appear. Click Hibernate.

  5. Your computer will save its state to memory and shut down. When you turn on your computer, your files and documents will open on your desktop exactly as you left them.

This feature saves me about 15 minutes a day in the morning. Give it a try and let me know if it helps you.

—Jason Kozleski

Comments

  • Anonymous
    November 20, 2006
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    November 20, 2006
    Great tip! My only problem being the Internet connection disconnects, which is quite frustrating. Any suggestions?

  • Anonymous
    November 21, 2006
    PingBack from http://2getexpert.info/index.php/archives/365

  • Anonymous
    November 21, 2006
    Great tip! My only problem being is that the internet conection always disconnects when i resume power. Any suggestions?

  • Anonymous
    November 21, 2006
    It's still a good idea to save all data first. Open files can go bad if there is a problem going into or comming out of hibernation. It's also good to reboot every so often to allow the PC to clean its self from hibernation.

  • Anonymous
    November 21, 2006
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    November 21, 2006
    Get tip to get you into Hibernate mode, what about getting out of hibernate mode?  I used to do that with another computer, but it would only come out of hibernate if a special key on my keyboard was depressed.  It eventually stopped working so I stopped using the hibernate option.  If there is another way to revive the hibernating computer then please let me know.  

  • Anonymous
    November 21, 2006
    nice but doesn't that conflict with some networkprocesses?  F.i. if you use client software that needs to sync with a server (fi. using Outlook in combination with Exchange). Nice option but I'm afraid it's not suitable for all office-environments.  And never forget that things like telnetsessions might need a manual logout-command before doing stuff like that! greetz, jr.

  • Anonymous
    November 22, 2006
    I used to do that too, every day.  Hibernate is great, when it works. Hibernate has had bugs in it when you have a gig of RAM or more.   I had to get a hotfix patch to Windows xp, in order to get that to even work (1.5gb ram).   Sometimes I click 'Hibernate', and the OS tries to hibernate but cannot.  I think it depends on what is currently running.  Some apps or services, I guess, are not 'hibernate-friendly'.  When it fails this way, the choice 'hibernate' drops off the list of shut down choices--only to return after next reboot. When hibernate fails to un-hibernate... then you lose everything, as if you just turned it off. I found it safer, and less aggravating, to buy a new, faster PC.  A clean hard drive goes a long way to speeding up the reboot process. It used to take 15 minutes to reboot, on a laptop (100gb HD@7200rpm, 1.5gb ram, centrino 2.0 2MB cache).   Now it takes under 1 minute, (under 2, if you count launching outlook).  The new machine is a desktop P4 3.2 dualcore, 2GB ram, raid 1 OS, raid 0 data. The desktop was cheaper by $1000.

  • Anonymous
    November 22, 2006
    Jason, Great idea.  I also have found it helpful to lock the computer by pressing [Windows] + L.  When I come back to my computer, I just log back in and I'm up and running.  Of course, this requires the computer to be left on all night.  Another suggestion is to modify the 'msconfig' file from the RUN command.  By adjusting the programs that start up (many are not needed), Windows boots much faster.  Thanks for your tip, by the way.

  • Anonymous
    November 22, 2006
     I think thhis is a "neat" idea and saaaves the "fiddling" on the morning start up. Thanks for the tip.     Herb

  • Anonymous
    November 22, 2006
    My computer has been working setiathome packets for several years. Won't using the hibernate command shutdown the setiathome connection?

  • Anonymous
    November 22, 2006
    It is not neccesary to hold down the shift key when the "turn off computer" screen comes up.  Simply hit the "h" key and hibernation will happen (prividing it is properly set in power options, as explained).

  • Anonymous
    November 22, 2006
    This is really neat!  Now I don't have to go find something else to do for several minutes while I boot up.  Thank you!

  • Anonymous
    November 22, 2006
    Thank You Very Much... Its Helping Me

  • Anonymous
    November 22, 2006
    Does the hibernation mode effect the hard disk in anyway or otherwise compromise the performance of your PC.

  • Anonymous
    November 23, 2006
    How about using msconfig.exe to disable programs that launch at startup?

  • Anonymous
    November 24, 2006
    I found this to be a useful tip. Now I know the difference between Hibernate and Standby and how to bring up the Hibernate option. I also now understand what it does and how it differs from the other shut down options.

  • Anonymous
    November 26, 2006
    Using Hibernation is a nice stopgap measure when you need quicker bootup.  But that does not address the underlying issue.  If your computer takes that long to boot then you probably have not enough RAM for the applications you use. If adding more RAM is impractical, then eliminate unnecessary services and startup programs.  The built-in msconfig applet makes it easy to turn off unwnated startup modules and services (click Start... Run... type 'msconfig', then click OK). Be certain to defragment your drive frequently. Also you should have an expert examine your disk interface driver and BIOS settings to ensure the drive is communicating at its highest speed.  Have your expert check virtual memory settings, and generally clean up unwanted files and registry settings, too. These measures can handily make your computer boot three times faster, and generally run twice as fast. Consider substituting smaller programs for the memory hogs you are currently using.  For instance, I have found that some antivirus programs require much less memory and CPU time than others.  After right-sizing programs for given memory amount, the computer boot time is almost as short as returning from hibernation. Back in Windows 3.1 days, my 66 MHz 80486 would boot in 7 seconds!  Today my 3.0 GHz hyperthreaded P4 takes nearly 30 seconds.  That is too long for me.  I can't imagine waiting 10 minutes.  Get some help!

  • Anonymous
    November 30, 2006
    yes, but if you but it into hibernate mode, then it uses up harddrive and ram space.  Very frustrating when my render times increase, just because I left the computer in hibernation.

  • Anonymous
    November 30, 2006
    i need some help with the new ie7. i'm not sure if i have it setup right. when i open a window or when i open a website i'm getting a all white window & it takes 4 ever to open all the way. also i'm having trouble playing games from some sites & cd games i have. please help me now b4 i mess everything up & have to reformat. i am tried of having too. i am so confused i don't know what to do anymore.                    ciamwhoiam@msn.com                        Louis Cirrito                          503-794-9812

  • Anonymous
    December 01, 2006
    I often put my computer into hibernation, somehow it restarts itself instead of shutting down, hibernation state.  I come back in the morning to find my computer on.  Why?

  • Anonymous
    December 04, 2006
    Unfortunately, if you hibernate your computer each time instead of booting down, Windows XP does not have an opportunity to make a backup of the system registry.  I hibernate my computer during the day, but at night, I make sure to shut down my computer. David Bailey, MCP

  • Anonymous
    December 24, 2006
    Well it is really good to put your computer in hibernation mode. But you can do one another thing to make your PC starting up faster. To do it, just simply close the option to start the program at Window startup in all programs. All messengers, security softwares, downloaders and anyother program which starts at startup. Just uncheck this option in all programs. Have fun

  • Anonymous
    December 24, 2006
    I do not know my URL. I am having many problems with my PC. I am a new comer to the computer world and am having difficulty trying to fix my 173 registry ERRORS.  When I click on to a Registry Cleaner, they scan my computer, then tell me here & how many errors, then tell me I must give them my Credit Card #'s to buy a clean up.  I do not even have a credit card.  How can I repair my PC free?????  Can you help me???  I'm paying a lot of money for an internet access that I can't even get to.       Thank you for your time,         Sincerely,             JuneMcDade@msn.com

  • Anonymous
    December 25, 2006
    Doesnt work well on My Compaq V3018TU Notebook

  • Anonymous
    December 26, 2006
    I don't use hilbernate - next best thing is standby.

  • Anonymous
    December 26, 2006
    have been using hibernation for sometime now with no problems. marksman

  • Anonymous
    December 26, 2006
    I want to tell you about more effective method – Stand by. With it you can resume Windows for about 5 seconds because data (running apps and services) is written to RAM but not to HDD.

  • Anonymous
    December 26, 2006
    hey, im a tech student in belgium and used to hybernate al the times (going from class to class and such) but recently i learned that if u want ur laptop (in my case) to last, hybernation is not gonna help you. Basically, u turn off your computer but your hard disk does keep working. So if you hybernate at night, and leave it like that until the next morning, its not good. I wish microsoft officials could post something on this topic, and help prove my point

  • Anonymous
    December 26, 2006
    you can hibernate faster by holding down the fn key and pressing f1.

  • Anonymous
    December 27, 2006
    I found that if you enter into your bios you can find a power management section and you can set your computer up so that it boots at a specific time in the day, for me it is 30 min before i get to work just in case i arrive early and my computer will have some time to start. Then before i leave during the day i turn off my computer and arrive the next day to have my computer back up and waiting for me.

  • Anonymous
    December 27, 2006
    I have been using Hibernate for a long time with no problems. I have a Microsoft wireless keyboard and set up the sleep button to Hibernate. I did learn two other ways from this tip on how to turn start Hibernate.

  • Anonymous
    December 27, 2006
    But hibernate takes a lot of memory and resources..

  • Anonymous
    December 28, 2006
    Iput my computer in standby mode for 30 min. then it goes into hibernation.Is any thing wrong with that? Iam farely new with computers, someone let me know if I`amm doing something wrong.                            Thank you                                 bill

  • Anonymous
    December 28, 2006
    I knew about hibernation, but never used it. I just tried it and my desktop was up in about 35 seconds compared to almost 2.5 minutes when I normally boot-up. I'll be using hibernation from now on. Stupid me for not ever trying it before.

  • Anonymous
    December 29, 2006
    This thread deals with hibernate, I know, but I prefer "Standby". The only thing is that I don't know if Standby actually shuts down my Regular and (connected) External Hardrives. I hope it does, but would appreciate someone who knows letting me know if it does or if I'm just fooling my self that it does. Thanx, John

  • Anonymous
    December 29, 2006
    You sad stressers.  If you are that pressed for time, go in to work a bit earlier, switch on your 'puter & take a few minutes to chill out, have a 2nd coffee, boot up your brain, review/organise your plan for the day, & then you are ready to GO.  Not the answer that may want to hear, but it WORKS.

  • Anonymous
    December 30, 2006
    To do this, Do I have to have your K-Board or Vista?

  • Anonymous
    January 02, 2007
    I DID AS U WROTE BUT AFTER TURNING OFF MY PC AUTOMACTALLY RESTARTS.

  • Anonymous
    January 04, 2007
    Very good thing ,which i was missing till now. Thanx for this

  • Anonymous
    January 04, 2007
    I am rather selective about what is running on my computer. I only allow the security programs to auto start. This cuts Boot time to nothing. I open each program as i am about to us it after boot up. Also increase the  ram from  216 or 512 to 2 to 4 gigs. This will greatly help bott up time. regards John

  • Anonymous
    January 06, 2007
    I use standby overnight, seems to be good. What is the difference between hibernate and standby ?   Jim

  • Anonymous
    January 08, 2007
    Go to start then run and type in regedit go to hokey key user then menu dispaly  change value that is 400  to 10   and pc will then boot faster.

  • Anonymous
    January 09, 2007
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    January 12, 2007
    Great suggestion. Thanks. I knew about it but I was not sure of how it work. Thanks because now I know. I apreciate your info. to us.

  • Anonymous
    January 12, 2007
    Maybe it work! But do u know that it raises your energy cost! Making your PC running all night long will also harms to PC... Just my opinions.Try using msconfig.exe to disable programs that launch at startup or use some tuneup tools, that may help.

  • Anonymous
    January 14, 2007
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    January 17, 2007
    The hibernation Solutions works. spiffy.

  • Anonymous
    January 23, 2007
    When I first used this tip it worked great.But when i tried again,an error messege like this appears-Power Policy manager unable to reserve hibernate file,cause it is been used by some other process- Please help

  • Anonymous
    January 23, 2007
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    January 29, 2007
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    January 31, 2007
    I like hibernation, cause I dont like to consume power unnecessarily.  I am having a problem with hibernation (it takes 10 minutes to save the ram, which makes no sense.  maybe a bios problem?).  In standby my problem is that when I place my laptop in my backpack... the fan goes off...I worry about overheating.