Hello,
Is there any way to schedule a monitor to turn itself off automatically, even if there are background processes preventing the usual power management to do that?
Thanks in advance,
aptx
Last edited by aptx; 31 Aug 2012 at 09:55.
aptx, Welcome to Seven Forums.
I hope this screenshot can help you.
No, I mean, that particular configuration only work when there's no background processes preventing the screen from being turned off. That config will be utterly useless if, for example, I've left something playing a video in just one of the dozens of windows I've left open and also dozens of apps I have running, and normally I wouldn't be aware of them. Or, there might even be apps that were asking for my attention and somehow they weren't flashing on the taskbar.
I can manually force the monitor to turn off using command line, but that's way too dependent. With a slight movement of a mouse or if somehow an app found itself an excuse to show notifications or something, the monitor would turn itself on again. It wouldn't be good if that happened when I wasn't around to turn it off again.
Last edited by aptx; 31 Aug 2012 at 12:44.
Press the power button on the monitor...or close down your applications the prevent the computer from turning the monitor off, or put the whole computer to sleep.
Well, those methods do work just fine in a conventional sense. However, what I'd like is a way that does not require any manual input, so that the monitor turns off all by itself every single time I haven't been staring at it, as well as in case I happen to forget to turn it off and also in case I am too lazy, since I am an average person, after all.
Besides, that particular PC is a home desktop server, and I need it running 24/7, since it has many connected devices, and booting/resuming is really a pain. Also, I mentioned that there are loads of running apps and opened windows--with tonnes of even more tabs in various browsers, therefore checking them all one by one every time I feel like it is not very practical and is time-consuming. I do appreciate all the suggestions, though. :)
Manually turn the monitor off...that is your only solution. There is no way to turn the monitor off via software that would not be interfered by the other applications.
How about we come at this from a different angle. I have the same problem, however I don't know WHICH app it is that won't allow my monitors to go off.
I have four monitors on my computer, one of them very large. I cringe when I come into my office in the morning and see them all on.
Since this thread has indicated there is no software solution to force this issue, is there any way to detect which applications or processes are disallowing the normal Power Settings to turn the monitors off after the selected time of idleness?
Low tech solution:
Plug all the monitors into the same power strip.
Turn off the power strip when you leave.
I'm sure someone who doesn't have this problem might find that solution palatable in theory. But changing ones 30 year habit by remembering to flip switches every time I walk away from my computer for more than 15 minutes to circumvent a rogue application doesn't sound like a solution.
I would much rather uninstall the app that is causing this problem. I just don't know how to detect which process is tricking my computer into thinking I need it to stay on. I have no video apps or tabs open.
See here: Perform a clean startup to determine whether background programs are interfering with your game or program
Takes a little time and several restarts but might identify the culprit.
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