Setting Device Idle Time

You can specify the length of idle time before a system device (such as a screen) starts using uses its low power mode. To do this, change the threshold field in the /etc/power.conf file.

To Change the Length of Idle Time

1. As superuser, edit the /etc/power.conf file. Type:

   example# vi /etc/power.conf

2. Modify the desired entry.

   The idle threshold for the keyboard and mouse devices has been revised to be 300 seconds (5 minutes) in the /etc/power.conf file, as shown below.

   ---

   # Power Management Configuration File
   #
   # Putting an entry in this file will only be effective if the 
   # driver for the device supports device power management. 
   # After the file is modified, pmconfig(1M) command must be
   # executed to activate the new change.
   #
   # Fields must be separated by white space or semicolons.
   # Note that physical dependents are automatically considered
   # by the power management framework.
   
   # Name           Threshold(s)       Logical Dependent(s)
   /dev/kbd         300
   /dev/mouse       300
   
   # NOTE: The entries below are only used when no window
   # system is running. When running the window system, monitor
   # power management is done by the screen saver functions.
   
   /dev/fb          0 0         /dev/kbd     /dev/mouse
   
   # Auto-Shutdown  Idle(min)  Start/finish(hh:mm)  Behavior
   autoshutdown     30          9:00 9:00           default
   
   statefile        /.CPR

   ---

3. Inform the Power Management framework of the new settings by typing:

   example# /usr/sbin/pmconfig

   Running pmconfig informs the Power Management framework of the new setting according to the thresholds that are now defined in the /etc/power.conf file.