Fix Windows Vista Sleep Mode Waking Up Randomly

Resolving Unexpected Wake-Ups in Windows Vista

A recurring issue has been observed with Windows Vista on HP notebooks. Specifically, the system unexpectedly resumes from sleep mode after the lid is closed and the network cable is disconnected.

This often occurs while the laptop is being transported, leading to significant battery drain. The root cause is typically the Wake on LAN feature.

Disabling Wake on LAN

To address this, the Wake on LAN functionality must be disabled. This prevents the computer from activating in response to network activity, including the removal of the network cable.

Here's how to modify the setting:

• Open the Start Menu and type "Device Manager" into the search box.
• Navigate to the "Network Adapters" section within Device Manager.
• Locate your network adapter. For example, it might be labeled "Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet".

Right-click on the identified network adapter and select "Properties" from the context menu.

Within the Properties dialog box, select the "Power Management" tab.

Uncheck the option labeled "Allow this device to wake the computer". This will prevent the adapter from initiating a system wake-up.

A warning message may appear, indicating the implications of disabling this feature. However, for the purpose of preventing unwanted wake-ups, this adjustment is necessary.

By implementing this change, the computer should remain in sleep mode as intended when the lid is closed and the network cable is disconnected, preserving battery life.