Computer Troubleshooting/Help Master Thread

[etech0]

I don't know you can try playing with the settings, did you check your BIOS settings? Also does it matter which port you plug the dock into?

Good questions, I will play around some. Thanks for your help!

[yungermanchik]

Is there a multi-key shortcut to lock/unlock the keyboard and mouse on a laptop?

[etech0]

AFAR (relative) - their fairly old (desktop) computer is very slow. Ran a crucial scan and they recommend upgrading from 8gb to 16gb of RAM. Question is how do we know if that'll even help? It takes a few minutes just to even log in (win 10).
TIA

[yesitsme]

AFAR (relative) - their fairly old computer is very slow. Ran a crucial scan and they recommend upgrading from 8gb to 16gb of RAM. Question is how do we know if that'll even help? It takes a few minutes just to even log in (win 10).
TIA

get a new PC, a 5 yr old PC is the equivalent of a 90 yr old man

[Euclid]

AFAR (relative) - their fairly old (desktop) computer is very slow. Ran a crucial scan and they recommend upgrading from 8gb to 16gb of RAM. Question is how do we know if that'll even help? It takes a few minutes just to even log in (win 10).
TIA

Get an SSD - will likely provide much more benefit than more RAM

[Euclid]

get a new PC, a 5 yr old PC is the equivalent of a 90 yr old man

-1

Other than my work computer (owned by my employer), I don't have a single computer in my house which is younger than 6 years old. You can easily upgrade and maintain a computer which is 10 years old; putting in an SSD breathes new life.

[etech0]

Get an SSD - will likely provide much more benefit than more RAM

Good idea, thanks!

[Yo ssi]

Speaking of SSDs, last year I got a laptop with the latest core i7 but without a SSD, the laptop took it's time turning on and was really sluggish. I really thought I got a defected product.
I added a NVMe SSD it now turns on, in under 30s and is very snappy.

[Definitions]

I set my laptop to turn the screen off after 5 minutes and go to sleep after 20 minutes. For both battery and plugged in.

After 5 minutes it turns off but 10 seconds later the screen turns back on. It stays on for 5 minutes, turns off and this time stays off until it finally goes to sleep after 10 minutes.

I tested this multiple times making sure that the mouse isn't being accidentally moved.

Any ideas on what it could be? (Windows 11 if it matters)

[JM]

I set my laptop to turn the screen off after 5 minutes and go to sleep after 20 minutes. For both battery and plugged in.

After 5 minutes it turns off but 10 seconds later the screen turns back on. It stays on for 5 minutes, turns off and this time stays off until it finally goes to sleep after 10 minutes.

I tested this multiple times making sure that the mouse isn't being accidentally moved.

Any ideas on what it could be? (Windows 11 if it matters)

@Definitions Could be that your computer is set to allow network to wake from sleep. Go to Device Manager (search for it and you should find it), open up the branch called "Network Adapters", then find your network adapter - would most likely say "PCI-e" or "wireless" somewhere in the adapter you should be looking for. Right click and select "properties". One of the tabs should be "power Management" uncheck the box that says "allow this device to wake the computer". You can send over a screenshot if you get stuck at any point.

[Definitions]

@Definitions Could be that your computer is set to allow network to wake from sleep. Go to Device Manager (search for it and you should find it), open up the branch called "Network Adapters", then find your network adapter - would most likely say "PCI-e" or "wireless" somewhere in the adapter you should be looking for. Right click and select "properties". One of the tabs should be "power Management" uncheck the box that says "allow this device to wake the computer". You can send over a screenshot if you get stuck at any point.

It was unchecked and is grayed out

[JM]

hmm - any peripherals that are connected - Bluetooth headphones or anything?

[Definitions]

My only clue to this would be that when I got this laptop (brand new) and set it up it somehow got my settings from my desktop computer which has an jssue with the computer never going to sleep no matter what I set the sleep settings too.

I think it has to do with me signing into my Microsoft account.

I'm nearly 100% certain that it's related. Because I made a special background image for my desktop that has a big reminder on it to put the computer to sleep due to that issue.

That background was automatically applied once I finished setting up my computer. I'm assuming if that was transferred over and applied there are other settings that were applied too.

[Definitions]

hmm - any peripherals that are connected - Bluetooth headphones or anything?

A wireless mouse

[JM]

If the wireless mouse is connect via bluetooth, try turning off bluetooth and then putting the computer to sleep. If the mouse is connected via USB unifying receiver, unplug the receiver and try putting to sleep. Let me know

[Definitions]

If the wireless mouse is connect via bluetooth, try turning off bluetooth and then putting the computer to sleep. If the mouse is connected via USB unifying receiver, unplug the receiver and try putting to sleep. Let me know

Seems like the mouse is the issue. I tested it with the receiver unplugged and the computer screen stayed off. I tested it with the receiver in but the mouse turned off and it also turned off. I then tested it with the receiver plugged in and the mouse on that's when the computer screen turned on again.

The weird thing is why does it stay off after the second 5 minutes?

I wonder if that's what's causing the issues on my desktop as well. ( It has a wireless keyboard and mouse)

[JM]

Seems like the mouse is the issue. I tested it with the receiver unplugged and the computer screen stayed off. I tested it with the receiver in but the mouse turned off and it also turned off. I then tested it with the receiver plugged in and the mouse on that's when the computer screen turned on again.

I wonder if that's what's causing the issues on my desktop as well. ( It has a wireless keyboard and mouse)

I'm glad we were able to isolate the issue. If you want to keep your mouse plugged in but not have it wake the screen, then in device manager you can go to the branch called "mice" and other pointing devices" and change the properties so that it can't wake the computer. Then when you do want to wake the computer, you'll have to hit a key on the keyboard instead of moving the mouse.

[Definitions]

JM thanks for the help.

Next up trying to figure out why my desktop doesn't go to sleep

I unplugged everything except power and display cables. It simply doesn't go to sleep. I set the screen to turn off after 1 minute and the computer to turn off after 2 minutes.

Doesn't have an internal wifi network card I'm using a USB dongle which I unplugged.

Screen turns off but computer doesn't go to sleep

[JM]

JM thanks for the help.

Next up trying to figure out why my desktop doesn't go to sleep

I unplugged everything except power and display cables. It simply doesn't go to sleep. I set the screen to turn off after 1 minute and the computer to turn off after 2 minutes.

Doesn't have an internal wifi network card I'm using a USB dongle which I unplugged.

Screen turns off but computer doesn't go to sleep

When you say doesn't go to sleep, do you mean the screen won't lock? what happens if you press the windows key and the letter "L" at the same time?   

[JM]

No locking with windows L works fine. It just doesn't go to sleep

please send screenshot of power management