Closing a laptop without putting it in sleep mode.

  • Thread starter Thread starter metspitzer
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metspitzer

I am using an external monitor, mouse and keyboard with my laptop.
To get more desk space I would like to be able to close the laptop and
put the monitor on top.

Is there a software solution to doing this?
 
metspitzer said:
I am using an external monitor, mouse and keyboard with my laptop.
To get more desk space I would like to be able to close the laptop and
put the monitor on top.

Is there a software solution to doing this?
Click to expand...

What kind of notebook do you have? I've never heard of a laptop that
couldn't be closed without going into sleep mode. If you are running
windows, you can adjust the power save settings (on screen saver menu) to
keep the notebook always on. Heck, for a while we were using our notebook
as a desktop computer. We didn't open it ever, except to initially turn it
on, as the power switch was only accessible with the lid open.

If your notebook automatically goes to sleep mode when you shut the lid,
check for two things:
1) Check your BIOS settings to see if this function can be disabled
2) Check to see if there is some kind of proprietary software installed to
make it go to sleep. If so, uninstall the proprietary software.
Or as mentioned above, it might be as simple as adjusting your power save
settings through the windows control panel.

Only problem I see with your plan is, you really shouldn't put a monitor ON
TOP of it. It wasn't made to bear weight like that. Even a small LCD
monitor would be too heavy to stack on top of a laptop computer. But you
could always get some kind of enclosure (like for a VCR?) to put the laptop
inside of, and then set the monitor on top of the enclosure. -Dave
 
metspitzer said:
I am using an external monitor, mouse and keyboard with my laptop.
To get more desk space I would like to be able to close the laptop and
put the monitor on top.

Is there a software solution to doing this?
Click to expand...
Maybe, but do you really want a VERY HOT laptop?
With a closed lid, you block heat inside, the
keyboard area helps cool the laptop.
 
metspitzer said:
I am using an external monitor, mouse and keyboard with my laptop.
To get more desk space I would like to be able to close the laptop and
put the monitor on top.

Is there a software solution to doing this?
Click to expand...
You can do it in the settings in Control Panel.
 
metspitzer said:
I am using an external monitor, mouse and keyboard with my laptop.
To get more desk space I would like to be able to close the laptop and
put the monitor on top.

Is there a software solution to doing this?
Click to expand...

Yes, it's called Windows Control Panel, and has been part of Windows since
Win95 (or earlier).

Go to the Power Options tab, Advanced, Power Buttons, When I close the lid
of my computer. Change to "Do nothing."
 
Yes, it's called Windows Control Panel, and has been part of Windows since
Win95 (or earlier).

Go to the Power Options tab, Advanced, Power Buttons, When I close the lid
of my computer. Change to "Do nothing."
Click to expand...
Thanks everyone
 
In message <[email protected]> "helmut"
does that mean the display is still on when the lid is closed?
Click to expand...

Most laptops will still turn off the display at the hardware level.

The OS is not in control of this activity though, so from the OS' point
of view, nothing happened.
 
John Weiss said:
Yes, it's called Windows Control Panel, and has been part of Windows since
Win95 (or earlier).

Go to the Power Options tab, Advanced, Power Buttons, When I close the lid
of my computer. Change to "Do nothing."
Click to expand...
does that mean the display is still on when the lid is closed?
 
Chris said:
Bad idea, unless you want to take the chance of damaging the display.
Those backlight tubes are small and fragile.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

I think you can still buy those "keyboard huts" that sit underneath the
monitor an provide a space to put the keyboard underneath it.

Another idea would be to do a little carpentry and build a platform for the
monitor with space underneath for the laptop, leaving a couple of inches of
clearance for air circulation. It would look like a flat [ .
Click to expand...
There's really lots of options. An orange crate with one side taken off
would work. Or some sort of plastic box, again with a side cut off.
Depends on how fancy the poster wants it.

I have my 19" monitor raised a bit, and I raised it with a Power Mac 6100
that I got for a few dollars, thinking I'd use it but I never did. One
could take that sort of case, strip out the insides, and leave the front
panel off, and it would work as a place to slide in the laptop.

Of course, the laptop doesn't have to be on the desk, so it won't take up
space on the desk. Or if it can't go in a drawer or under the desk, leave
it on its edge lying against the wall or whatever.

Michael
 
does that mean the display is still on when the lid is closed?
Click to expand...

Depends on the computer. My old HP stays on until the display timeout. My
newer IBM turns off when closed.
 
Hi, forget the power settings as it has nothing to do with this.

1. Control Panel
2. Display Properties
3. Settings
 
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