How to Put a Windows XP Computer Into Standby Mode

Manually
1. Click 'Start,' then open the 'Control Panel.'
2. Click 'Performance and Maintenance,' then choose 'Power Options.' The Power Options Properties dialog box appears on the screen.
3. Select the 'Advanced' tab. Click to open the drop-down menu beneath 'When I press the power button on my computer' and select 'Stand by'; if you have a laptop, click the drop-down menu beneath 'When I close the lid of my portable computer' and select 'Stand by.'
4. Click 'Apply' to save the changes, then click 'OK.'
Automatically
5. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 in Section 1 to arrive at the Power Options Properties dialog box.
6. Click the drop-down menu next to 'System standby' and choose the amount of time you want your computer to wait before entering Standby mode. Specify a shorter amount of before a Windows XP laptop on battery power enters Standby mode by clicking the drop-down arrow beneath 'Running on batteries' to the right of 'System Standby.'
7. Click 'Apply' and then 'OK.'