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    How to power off optical drive in Windows 7

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by intoflatlines, Oct 26, 2009.

  1. intoflatlines

    intoflatlines Notebook Consultant

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    When I was running XP on my T400 I was able to have the optical drive power off automatically when not in use or when on battery power. I updated the OS to Windows 7 Pro x64 and I have Power Manager 3 but I am unable to find where I can activate this feature. Any ideas?
     
    intoflatlines, Oct 26, 2009
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  2. lenardg

    lenardg Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    When you are in advanced mode, the profiles offer a setting Automatic optical drive power off.

    To access it, open Power Manager and make sure you are in advanced mode. Select the profile you want to change. There are some drop down settings available on the lower right hand side. Expand System settings and you should find Automatic optical drive power off as the last setting in that group. Make sure it is enabled for the profile and mode (battery / ac) in which you want it to turn off.

    I don't know if this can be activated in basic mode as well.
     
    lenardg, Oct 26, 2009
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  3. intoflatlines

    intoflatlines Notebook Consultant

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    That's the first place I looked but it's not there. In System Settings I have Max CPU Speed, CPU Deeper Sleep, Optimize fan control, Display brightness. That's it. What am I doing wrong?
     
    intoflatlines, Oct 26, 2009
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  4. intoflatlines

    intoflatlines Notebook Consultant

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    Any more info on this?
     
    intoflatlines, Oct 29, 2009
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  5. intoflatlines

    intoflatlines Notebook Consultant

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    I found an answer. Apparently I had an older version of Power Manager or something. I ran System Update and it told me I could upgrade Power Manager to 1.xx or something, even though my Power Manager is apparently the newest version (3.xx), but I guess it's the "other" Power Manager that it was talking about. Updated the other Power Manager and now I can power down the optical drive.
     
    intoflatlines, Oct 29, 2009
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  6. lenardg

    lenardg Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    Maybe you are referring to the Power Manager driver, that was older? The Power Manager driver for W7 is 1.55 I think, and for Vista it was 1.51 (but I might remember incorrectly).

    Anyway, good to hear you were able to solve the problem.
     
    lenardg, Oct 29, 2009
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  7. intoflatlines

    intoflatlines Notebook Consultant

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    Yes, that's it! I had an older version of the driver and after I updated it, the issue was solved.

    Not sure if anyone else will have this issue, but hopefully someone will get some help from this thread in the future! :)
     
    intoflatlines, Oct 29, 2009
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  8. pepclub

    pepclub Notebook Consultant

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    Is there such an option for T61 on Vista? Or is it only exclusive to T400/500 gen laptops? Because I don't see such an option in my Power manager (3.05, latest). I think my power management driver is up to date as well.
     
    pepclub, Oct 29, 2009
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