Windows 8 Windows 8.1 Ignores power settings and hibernates after 5 minutes

[kcr]

My PC ignores all power settings and hibernates after approx 5 minutes of user inactivity. It is a Dell Vostro 200, which I had been running successfully on Windows 8 Pro. The problem appears to have been the result of upgrading to Windows 8.1.

Regardless of the power scheme settings, the PC goes into hibernation after 5 minutes of "inactivity"; i.e. if there is no user keyboard or mouse input. The hibernation also ignores most background processes, so it will go into hibernation even if I am streaming internet radio. I use Windows Home Server, and the daily backup process is currently failing because the PC wakes up to start the backup, but hibernates after 5 minutes, in the middle of the backup process.
The only exception I can find is YouTube - hibernation does not occur if I watch a video longer than 5 minutes, even if there is no user input.

I have tried various suggestions from other forums, without success:
The video drivers up to date.
BIOS is up to date, and ACPI is set to S3.
I have run power settings troubleshooter which reset power settings to "Balanced".
I have tried setting power to "Always on"
I have tried a clean boot process, disabling all start ups and other services, but the problem still occurs

As noted above, the PC was previously working fine, and the only change I can identify is applying the Windows 8.1 upgrade.
Does anyone have any ideas how I can resolve this, or any suggestions for debugging the cause, please?
Thanks

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you are encountering a frustrating issue where your Dell Vostro 200 PC is hibernating after approximately 5 minutes of user inactivity, despite your power settings being configured differently. This behavior started after upgrading to Windows 8.1. Here are some troubleshooting steps and potential solutions to address this problem:

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Power Plan Settings:
   • Make sure that the power plan settings are configured correctly. Verify that the hibernation settings are appropriately set.
   []Update Drivers:
   • Ensure that all drivers, especially the video drivers, are up to date. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause power management issues.
   []BIOS Settings:
   • Check the BIOS settings and confirm that ACPI is set to S3 (Sleep Standby).
   []Power Settings Troubleshooter:
   • Run the built-in Power Settings Troubleshooter to diagnose and fix any issues related to power settings.
   []Check Windows Update:
   • Ensure that your system is up to date with Windows updates. Sometimes, new updates include fixes for power management issues.
   []Advanced Power Settings:
   • Adjust advanced power settings to prevent the system from hibernating during specific tasks, like running backups.
   []Disable Fast Startup:
   • Disable the Fast Startup feature in Windows if it's causing conflicts with the power settings.

     Potential Solutions:​

   []Registry Settings:
   • Modify the registry settings related to power management. Be cautious when making changes to the registry.
   []Task Scheduler:
   • Set up a task in Task Scheduler to prevent hibernation during specific activities, like backups.
   []Third-Party Software:
   • Check if any third-party software is conflicting with the power settings. Temporarily disable non-essential software to identify potential conflicts.
   []Rollback to Windows 8 Pro:
   • If the issue persists and significantly impacts your workflow, consider rolling back to Windows 8 Pro until a suitable solution is found.

     Additional Tips:​

     • Monitor event logs for any related errors or warnings that might provide insight into what's causing the hibernation behavior.
     • Check for any recently installed software or updates that might be triggering the hibernation.
     • Consider seeking assistance from Dell support or a professional technician if the issue persists.
     By following these steps and exploring the suggested solutions, you may be able to troubleshoot and resolve the hibernation issue on your Dell Vostro 200 running Windows 8.1. If you encounter any specific error messages or further details, feel free to provide them for more targeted assistance.