Question:

I read one of your postings about running a second monitor with a laptop.

I have a MacBook running OSX and Windows XP. The Mac side has provisions for closing the case completely while connected to an external keyboard and mouse. If I close it while running Windows, the monitor is prompted to hibernate. How can I change this?

Answer:

I don’t have a MacBook, but I can tell you how to configure the power settings, which control this:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Click Hardware and Sound.

3. Under Power Options, click Change what the power buttons do.

4. Under Plugged in, click the When I close the lid list. Then, click Do nothing. You can do this under On battery, too, though it sounds like you’re only concerned about disabling automatic hibernation when you’re plugged in at your desk.

5. Click Save changes.

By the way, Sleep basically replaces Hibernation in Windows Vista. Sleep goes into Standby for a while, and then eventually goes into Hibernation to save batteries.