OT: Windows Power Plan?

WarHorse47

WarHorse47

SOH-CM-2024
Lately, I've been struggling to find a good setting for my Windows 8 Power Plan as it relates to FSX, so I was curious to see if anyone has experience with this technical subject. Here's the issue I'm facing.

Both FSX and FS9 are running great under my Windows 8 install. My problem is that my Power Plan seems to misbehave on occasion. Typically I have it set to leave the computer on, but turn off the monitor after 20 minutes of inaction. The problem is that occasionally I cannot get the monitor to wake up with a keyboard command or mouse movement.

Yesterday I fired up FSX. After it loaded, the monitor went into sleep mode (power saving). I could hear the app running and see that the HD was active, but nothing I did could bring the monitor back. Eventually I had to do a full reboot. This is the second time that has happened (after loading FSX), but other times I would return to the computer after running an errand and have to reboot. Most times, its not a problem. This is random.

I have an ATI Radeon card and run CCC 3.8 drivers. Sometimes after rebooting my card settings need to be reset. I haven't upgraded to the latest 3.9 drivers yet, until I know more of what to expect.

I've tried researching the details on the Power Plan setup for Windows (7 or 8), but only get general information that I already know. So I was curious to know if anyone else has had similar experiences or perhaps could share some insight as to what Power Plan they use.

BTW - My original setup was 'Balanced', but as of yesterday I've selected the 'High Performance' plan. The computer does seem to run better this morning, but that just might be the extra cup of coffee I had. Not sure. There is not enough detail information available that defines what the "High Performance' Power Plan does as compared to the "Balanced" plan.

Thanks in advance.
 
TheGrunt said:
Doesn't sound like power issue. More like gpu crashing.
Click to expand...
Not sure.

Card is an AMD Radeon HD 7870 that I ordered with the new Dell computer. I've had it since February. It doesn't give me any issues when I'm on the computer. Aside from FSX and FS9, I also do CAD and digital photography.

Typically, the monitor goes into sleep mode as programmed and wakes when there is a key stoke or mouse movement as expected. Only twice do I recall did it go into power saving mode unexpectedly AFTER I started FSX. AND THEN the monitor would not power on resulting in a reboot of the computer and restoring of the Catalyst Control Center graphic settings.

I have a wireless Logitec mouse and keyboard. At first I thought the USB ports for the board and mouse might have shutdown as well, meaning the computer wasn't receiving any commands to restart the monitor. The drivers are now current, and as far as I can tell they are not the cause.

So far today, there has been no repeat. I've been on the computer for most the day, except for an hour at the gym. Everything is as it should be.

Thanks
 
Weird. It just happened again. :salute:

I took the wife out for a late lunch and left the computer on. We returned after a couple of hours, and I noticed that the monitor was still on instead of turning off after 20 minutes per the Power Plan.

Anyways, I checked my e-mail and various forums, and played a couple games of solitaire. No problem. After I decided to run FSX, boom - the monitor goes into sleep mode. I can hear the music playing so I know that FSX is up and running, but the monitor is black and nothing I do can get the monitor out of sleep mode. So I have to reboot.

Either something is not working with the Power Plan sleep mode for the monitor, or there is something with FSX that is triggering the sleep mode.

Guess I have to tell the Power Plan to never let the monitor sleep, and just turn it off manually if I leave for any length of time.
 
TheGrunt said:
Doesn't sound like power issue. More like gpu crashing.
Click to expand...

I agree, I think there is a problem with your graphics card.
Depending on what you leave running, the monitor will not necessarily go to sleep, as you put it.
Interesting perspective though.

Regards,
Nick.
 
ncooper said:
I agree, I think there is a problem with your graphics card.
Depending on what you leave running, the monitor will not necessarily go to sleep, as you put it.
Interesting perspective though.

Regards,
Nick.
Click to expand...
Nothing running except for the typical update checks on various programs.

I'm not ready to replace the card unless I know more. Like I said, it's new. If I had some more info, I could possibly get it replaced under warranty.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top