Using the dtpower Program

The dtpower Window

When you start up dtpower (or double-click the dtpower icon), a window is displayed, as shown in Figure 3-2.

Figure 3-2 The dtpower Window

The "wake up" option only appears in this window for sun4u desktop systems.

In this window, you can see the current settings for Power Management features on your system. If you started this program as superuser, you also can change the settings, as described in the procedures in this chapter.

If you are not superuser, the dtpower window will include this message: "Start dtpower as root to change settings."

General dtpower Window Controls

The buttons at the bottom of this window have the following effects:

• Apply puts into effect all of the settings currently displayed in the window.

• Reset changes all of the settings back to the state they were in when Apply was previously selected (or back to the machine's default values if this is the first time you have run dtpower). Reset, however, will not return to earlier values if you have already selected Apply.

• Quit dismisses the dtpower window; no icon remains on the screen. Any setting that was not put into effect with the Apply button is lost.

• Help displays a separate window of information about using the dtpower window.

You can reduce this dtpower window to an icon using your desktop environment's window commands.

System AutoShutdown and AutoWakeup Controls

You can specify, through the dtpower window, the timing conditions that will cause your system to shut down automatically after being idle. This feature is called AutoShutdown.

If you have a sun4u desktop machine, you also can set your system to power on automatically at a specified time each day. This feature is called AutoWakeup.

Be sure to read "Choosing to Use Power Management" before changing the AutoShutdown settings.

AutoShutdown uses the Suspend feature to automatically power off your system. When the system powers up again, it resumes in the same state as when it was suspended.

Through the dtpower window, you can activate or deactivate the AutoShutdown and AutoWakeup features, and specify the following time values:

• The number of minutes of idle time before AutoShutdown attempts to suspend the system

• The start and finish times of the period each day when AutoShutdown can occur (specifying the same time for both start and finish enables AutoShutdown to occur at any time of day)

• The AutoWakeup time of day when the system will automatically power up and resume after being suspended by AutoShutdown (sun4u desktop systems only)

AutoWakeup does not occur after you Suspend a system manually; it can occur only after AutoShutdown.

To Set an Idle Time for AutoShutdown

1. Start dtpower as superuser (see "Starting the Power Manager Program: dtpower").

2. Drag the Suspend slider to the number of minutes of idle time you want before the system will power down automatically.

   If you want to completely deactivate the AutoShutdown feature, select the Never setting at the far right of the slider. A dash symbol (-) appears in the numeric box when AutoShutdown is deactivated.

   Also, you can type the number of minutes directly in the numerical box to the right of the slider.

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   Note -

   Consecutive AutoShutdowns won't occur less than 5 minutes apart, even if the idle time setting is under 5 minutes.

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3. Select the start time of the period each day when you want AutoShutdown to be able to occur.

   You can select the time (in 15-minute increments) through a menu that drops down from the button to the left of the numerical box.

   Also, you can type the start time directly into the numerical box.

4. Click AM or PM for the start time.

5. Select the finish time of the period each day when you want AutoShutdown to be able to occur.

   You can select the time (in 15-minute increments) through a menu that drops down from the button to the left of the numeric box. The last setting on this menu is All Day, which means AutoShutdown can occur at any time of day.

   Also, you can type the finish time directly into the numerical box and press the enter key. You can specify an "All Day" setting this way by entering a finish time that is identical to the start time.

6. Click AM or PM for the finish time.

7. Click the Apply button when all the settings you want are displayed.

   If you want to reject the displayed settings, select Reset; the currently active settings (that is, whatever settings were last put into effect by selecting Apply) will be displayed in the window.

   In Figure 3-3, the dtpower window is set for AutoShutdown to occur after 90 minutes of idle time between 7:30 pm and 9:00 am.

   Figure 3-3 Setting the AutoShutdown Timing

   
   

   In Figure 3-4, the dtpower window is set to disable AutoShutdown of this system. Note that a dash appears in the numeric box showing the idle time.

   Figure 3-4 Disabling AutoShutdown

   
   

To Enable or Disable AutoWakeup

AutoWakeup is available only on sun4u desktop systems.

1. Start dtpower as superuser (see "Starting the Power Manager Program: dtpower").

2. Move the slider to the amount of idle time you desire (that is, any setting other than Never).

3. Set the Finish time to the time you want the machine to power up from a suspended state every day.

4. Click the button to the right of the "wake up" message to turn this feature on or off.

5. Click the Apply button when all the settings you want are displayed.

   If you want to reject the displayed settings, select Reset and the currently active settings (that is, whatever settings were last put into effect by selecting Apply) will be displayed in the window.

   In Figure 3-5, the dtpower window is set for AutoWakeup to occur at 9:00 am every day if an AutoShutdown has occurred after 7:30 pm.

   Figure 3-5 Enabling AutoWakeup

   
   

To Exit dtpower

1. Make sure to click Apply if you want to activate new settings you made in the dtpower window.

2. Click Quit.

   This causes the window to disappear without the dtpower icon remaining on the screen.