Let PC get some sleep

Q: When I am through using my desktop PC should I shut it down, put it to sleep or leave it on? I have been told by PC people at Hewlett Packard to shut the thing down when I get through using it and never put it to sleep. I often use it once a day, but sometimes I might go for a day or two without using it. What should I do?

A: Sleep is a power-saving state that saves all open documentsand programs and allows the computer to quickly resume full-power operation in seconds when you want to start working again. Putting your computer to sleep is like pausing a DVD player, Microsoft's engineers say; the computer immediately stops what it's doing and is ready to start again when you want to resume working.

If it's just for a few hours or even overnight, Microsoft saysit's usually more efficient to put your computer to sleep. Thecompany gives several advantages to choosing sleep over shuttingdown:

All your work, including information about the programs you were using, is automatically saved. When you awaken your machine from sleep, you don't need to restart programs or reopen files as you would if you had shut down the computer.

Though Windows does use some power in sleep mode, it's verysmall: about one-tenth as much as it would need if you left thecomputer running. A mobile PC typically uses 1 percent to 2 percentof battery power per hour in sleep mode.

When Windows is asleep, it can still download and install updatesand perform other routine maintenance tasks. For this reason, some companies require employees to put their computers to sleep rather than shut them down when going home for the evening.

However, if you don't plan to use your computer for several daysor more, Microsoft says, you should shut it down.

As to whether you should leave it on to enhance the longevity of your computer, PCguide.com gives arguments for and against that philosophy. Learn more at tinyurl.com/geekspower.

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Q: Every time I open a new Explorer window, it is only half-size and I have to maximize it. Can you tell me how to fix it?

A: While it seems like a straightforward issue, geeks propose a number of solutions on tech support message boards online.

I'll suggest a few tips here; if at first you don't succeed, try,try again.

Always make sure the window is maximized when you exit Internet Explorer. If it opens minimized, maximize the window, exit and then open it again.

Open only one Internet Explorer window. Right-click on the upper bar of the window and select "maximize." Then go to the "file" menu and choose "exit."

Open IE and size the window to your liking. Then hold down CTRL while clicking the X to close the program. This will set the IE window to open at this setting.

Open IE. Hold down CTRL + Shift + ALT on the keyboard while youuse the mouse to drag the window to the size you want it. Whilestill holding down CTRL + Shift + ALT, click the X in the upperright of the window to close it.

For IE 8 only: Right-click on the desktop icon for Internet Explorer.

Click "Properties." On the "Shortcut" tab beside "Run," you'llsee a drop-down menu. The default entry is "Normal window." Select "Maximized" instead. Click "Apply" and then "OK."

To specifically open new windows (resulting from clicked links) full-size, open IE and go to "Tools" and "Internet options." Beside "Tabs" on the first screen, click "Settings" and select "Always open pop-ups in a new tab." Evidently, IE recognizes new windows as pop-ups.

Another option for opening new windows is to open an IE window.

Right-click on a link and choose "open in new window." Drag thenew window to the maximum size. Close the original window, thenclose the new, resized window.

Finally, if nothing else works, a free program called "IE New Window Maximizer" is highly regarded. You can download it at www.jiisoft.com/iemaximizer.