Chapter 3 Customizing Power Schemes

This chapter explains how you can create a customized power scheme, overriding the schemes that come preset in the Dtpower software.

You cannot overwrite the schemes provided by the system, but you can create a customized scheme. When you change a system-shipped scheme, a new scheme called "Customized" is created. When you edit another scheme, that first Customized scheme is overwritten by the new one. Thus, only one customized scheme can be saved at any time.

The Customized scheme remains the default scheme even if you reboot your system. But it is temporary in that it only remains in the system until you select one of the three preset schemes. Once you do that, the customized scheme is deleted and removed from the pull-down list of available schemes.

Power Management of Overall System

The system idle time defines the length of time for which the CPU and the devices connected to your system must be idle before they power down. Although the GUI can be used to assign only one idle time for all devices and the CPU, the idle time of each device is measured separately. If a system has two external hard drives, for example, and you are only using one of them, the second will go to power-saving mode after 30 minutes of idleness. The first will go to the power-saving mode separately, after it has been idle for 30 minutes.

For information on configuring a different idle time for each device, refer to the power.conf(4) man page.

To Change System Power Management

1. Start Dtpower.

   This launches the Dtpower basic window:

   Figure 3-1 The Dtpower Basic Window

   
   

2. In the Dtpower basic window, select More.

   The Quick Edit tab is displayed.

   Figure 3-2 Quick Edit Tab

   
   

3. From the pull-down list for Device Idle Time Before Power Saving Starts, choose the amount of time you want all the devices to be idle before powering down.

   Or you can type in the system idle time.

Power Management of Monitors

You can override the monitor power management from the overall system power management through the Dtpower GUI. When you change the idle time for monitor power, the idle time for all other devices and the system remains as it appears in the Default System Idle Time box; only the idle time for the monitor power changes.

When the screen goes blank, some monitors can power down, and then power up when you use the computer again. Other monitors will only blank the screen but not power down.

Power management of workstations that have two monitors (sometimes called a "double-headed system") is also handled through Dtpower. In such a case, both monitors receive the same idle time setting.

In some past versions of Solaris operating environment, power management for monitors was handled through your windowing system's screen-saver options, rather than through the Dtpower program. That is no longer the case. Power management for the monitor, disk drive, and system power are now all handled uniformly through the Dtpower program.

To Change Monitor Power Management

1. Start Dtpower.

   This launches the Dtpower basic window.

2. In the Dtpower basic window, select More.

   The Quick Edit tab is displayed.

3. Check the Monitors button.

   The pull-down list for the monitors' idle time becomes active.

   Figure 3-3 Pull-Down List for Disks Idle Time

   
   

4. Either choose a time from the pull-down list of idle times or enter a unique value.

   You must leave a blank space between the number you enter and the units. Abbreviate the units to Sec, Min, or Hr, as appropriate. Decimal values are accepted. For example, if you enter 1.5 Hr, the display idle time will be set to 90 minutes.

   If you enter a new value, it is added to the list and will be available the next time you use the pull-down list. The value will be displayed in the format that you entered it in the edit box.

5. Click OK.

To Reactivate the Monitor

1. Move the mouse or press any key.

This restores the power to the monitor, but you may find that your screen is locked. The screen lock option is set through the Style Manager in CDE. Unlike in previous versions of the Power Management software, the screen lock is now completely independent of the Power Management software. If your screen is locked, enter your password to return to the desktop.

Power Management of Disk Drives

You can override the power management of disk drives just as you can for monitors. When you change the idle time for disk drives, the idle time for all other devices and the system remains unchanged; only the setting for the disks' power changes. All disk drives connected to the system receive the same idle time.

For information on setting a different idle time for each disk drive, refer to the power.conf(4) man page.

To Change Disk Drive Power Management

1. Start Dtpower.

   This launches the Dtpower basic window.

2. In the Dtpower basic window, select More.

   The Quick Edit tab is displayed.

3. Check the Disks button.

   The corresponding pull-down list for idle time becomes active.

4. Either choose a time from the pull-down list of idle times or enter a unique value.

   Leave a blank space between the number you enter and units. Abbreviate the units to Sec, Min, or Hr, as appropriate. Decimal values are accepted. For example, if you enter 1.5 Hr, the disk drive idle time is set to 90 minutes.

   If you enter a new value, it is added to the list, and will be available the next time you use the pull-down list. The value will be displayed the way you entered it in the edit box.

5. Click OK.