Did you ever wish you could throw a switch to turn off your computer, or to reduce its power usage, without having to click on “Start”, “Shut down”, “Stand by” or “Shut down”, “OK”, then watch a lengthy shut down process? When you wanted to use your computer the next time, you needed to wait a long time for the computer to boot.

Are you ready for a fast shut down and re-start? Here is how you can do it on Windows XP:

1. Right-click the desktop.
2. Left-click “Properties”.
3. Left-click on the “Screen Saver” tab.
4. In the “Monitor power” section, left-click “Power”.
5. On the “Power Schemes” tab, select times, such as:
   1. Turn off monitor: After 15 mins
   2. Turn off hard disks: After 30 mins
   3. System standby: After 1 hour
   4. System hibernates: After 2 hours
   5. Left-click the “Save-as” button. Enter a name (such as “Home – save power” in the “Save Scheme” window, then click the OK button.
6. Click on the “Advanced” tab.
7. In the “Power buttons” area, click the down arrow to the right of “When I press the power button on my computer”.
8. Select “Stand by”, and then click the OK button.

Now, when you press the power button on your computer, the computer will quickly enter the “Stand by” mode, and use reduced power. After two hours in Stand by mode, the computer will automatically enter the Hibernate mode. In this mode, the computer will save all data and open applications, and shut down, so no power is used. The next time you press the computer’s “Power” button, the computer will start up more quickly, and will open the applications and data files you previously had open.

At some time if you choose to shut down instead of going into Stand by then Hibernate, you use the standard method to shut down: click on “Start”, “Shut down”, “Shut down”, “OK”