problems with leaving computer idle

[Joan]

I have a dv6448se notebook.  From the beginning I have had problems leaving the computer idle.  Screen darkens, but cannot start without total shutdown and rebooting.  At reboot have to go through the long process.  There is no way to simply hit the power button and have the screen resume.  This happens if it is idle for more than ten minutes.

[GuessWho]

I have an HP dv-1130 and I'm experiencing similar problems.  This is my second computer in a matter of weeks due to hardware and possible software issues on the first one, and I'm not sure what is causing the issue on this one.  The weird thing is that the first one had this problem as well.... but since it additionally had a hardware issue I thought the whole thing was just bad... so it was very disappointing to take it back and exchange it for the exact same model, just to have the same problem.

The first thing I did was to turn off any 'power saving' modes to keep the screen from going black in the first place and also made sure that the hibernate option was turned off.  I thought that would resolve the issue but it hasn't.... the screen will still go black.  The hotkeys that are illuminated above the keyboard won't operate so I'm unable to power it off on back on again.  Actually NONE of the keyboard keys are operational at that point.  There is absolutely NOTHING I can push or do to cause the computer to turn off or for the screen to start working again.  So.... I have to flip it over and pop the battery out, forcing it to power down.  When I turn it back on I get a 'system disk' error.  This is NOT fun.  This was an early Christmas gift to me and it's turning out to be a real pain in the butt.  A new laptop should be an enjoyable experience, I should not find myself on these types of forums within a day of receiving this gift, then ongoing even after exchanging it.

It is one day beyond the store's 7 day return policy so now I don't know what I'm going to do.  I was trying to find a fix for it myself so that I didn't have to return a second laptop and look like some sort of abuser of that store's return policy but I don't want to be stuck with a lemon either.   The more boards I read, the more worried I am that I have a problematic PC that is just going to cause me headaches and cost me a lot in repair $$$!  I'm going to start a separate thread for the issues I've been having.

[Joan]

I totally relate.  This has been an issue from day one and I am long beyond my return time.  Originally they said it was "probably a Vista problem and there would be a patch".  There hasn't and who knows what it is.  In the beginning the only way I could get back on was to unplug the battery but now I find that if I hold down the start key long enough it will shut off.  Nothing else affects it at all.  Keep hoping some HP or Vista update will repair the problem.

[Amandab]

I just bought a new Compaq Presario yesterday and I am having the same problem I have done 3 hard shutdowns already.  I thought it was something I had installed until I started reading about your problems.  I think I will try taking it back to Staples.

[Joan]

I did several hard shutdowns with first HP and took it back.  When I got this one, I unfortunately, thought it was a vista problem and would soon be corrected.  It wasn't and now I am beyond return time.  It may still be a vista problem but it sure isn't being corrected.