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How do I set it so that my computer (OS is Windows 7) won't go into auto-standby/sleep mode while Opera is downloading a file? (Without disabling Windows' auto-standby/sleep setting.)

I'm thinking of enabling a functionality similar to uTorrent's 'prevent standby if there are active torrents' option, if there is one.

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1 Answer

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Not directly through Opera - as you know from your post you got no answers on the Opera forums.

However, a work around is to play a file in Windows Media Player on loop (muted if you like).

Or, some software called Don't Sleep can do similar.

FYI, Internet Explorer does stop standby whilst downloading - I know not an answer but it may be another work around.

A more technical fix (I know it is written about Vista but my research suggests it is the same for W7) but possibly not ideal as this application wide (ie not just for Opera):

PCs may not enter sleep mode when they have a file open over the network. Graphics-intensive screen savers can prevent PCs from entering sleep mode as well, and should be disabled.

Otherwise Vista should not allow software applications to stop it from going to sleep. However, it is possible for a network administrator to change this default, allowing applications to "veto" sleep when they are busy. The default can be changed using Group Policy, but cannot be set through the Power Options applet in the Control Panel.

So, try:

  • gpedit.msc
  • Computer Configuration
  • Administrative Templates
  • System
  • Power Management
  • Sleep Settings
  • Turn on Applications to Prevent Sleep Transitions (Plugged In).

Source

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Enabling "Turn on Applications to Prevent Sleep Transitions (Plugged In)" seem to not work at all with Opera. Either Opera still goes into standby while downloading, or the computer it still left powered on and running long after Opera finishes downloading. – galacticninja Sep 14 '12 at 10:42
The fact it does some one time and not another time suggests that something else is going on! Typically a PC either does or does not! Is playing muted music not an option for you? – Dave Rook Sep 14 '12 at 10:45
It doesn't work at all - i.e. Opera does not prevent an auto-standby when it is enabled. This is based on my experience with having that setting enabled with Opera for days. Playing muted music, is a possible workaround, but it still requires me to manually turn the media player off when Opera has finished downloading, making it not very useful to me as I am looking for an automated solution (i.e. automatically allow standby when downloads are finished with Opera). This feature is especially useful for huge file downloads that might require my computer running overnight. – galacticninja Sep 14 '12 at 11:00
I'm sorry, other than don't use Opera I can't suggest anything else. You already know that IE does what you're after I don't see why it would matter (and I am interested to know if it would). – Dave Rook Sep 14 '12 at 11:02
I was just commenting for the record that 'Turn on Applications to Prevent Sleep Transitions' does not work in my case. It matters because Opera is my main browser, and I'd rather not (and probably won't remember to) use another browser every time I download a file. I also use browser extensions that are specific to Opera, and can only download within Opera. – galacticninja Sep 14 '12 at 11:11
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