Toshiba Portege 2010 User Guide 2 - Page 56

56 Getting Started Powering down the computer Shut down command The Shut down command powers off the computer. When you start up again, the computer runs a self-test and loads the operating system. You must open any programs and files you want to use. Factors to consider when choosing Shut down: ❖ No power is used while the computer is shut down. This is the most efficient mode if you will be away from your computer for an extended time. ❖ Restarting from Shut down uses the most time and battery power. ❖ When starting up again, the system does not automatically open the programs and files you were previously using. Hibernation command The Hibernation command powers off the computer, but it first saves the current mode of the computer to the hard disk. Since Hibernation does not require power to maintain the saved information, the system settings are retained indefinitely. Restoring information from the hard disk takes longer than restoring it from memory. When you start up again, the computer runs a self-test, loads the operating system, and then returns to the mode in which you left it. Factors to consider when choosing Hibernation: ❖ While in Hibernation mode, the computer uses no battery power. ❖ Because the state of the system is held on the hard disk, no data is lost if the battery discharges while the computer is in Hibernation mode. ❖ When starting up again, this choice uses less time and battery power than the Shut down option. But it uses a little more time and battery power to start up than the Standby option, because information is being retrieved from the hard disk instead of from memory.