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Downloading large files, should I leave my MBP awake?

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PhaserFuzz

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 12, 2007
485
37
I'm currently downloading a large 3 gig file, and I'm wondering what I should do with my MBP. Is there a way to turn the display off, but keep computer on? Would this be the best method to use? I plan on having it download overnight.

Thanks!
 
S

steinlager

macrumors regular
Nov 2, 2007
126
0
You could turn down your screen brightness to minimum and set a schedule for shutdown under Energy Saver -> Schedule. Or you can set up a hotspot for display sleep under the Expose menu.
 
M

matperk

macrumors 6502
May 6, 2004
443
0
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Wirelessly posted (Treo 700wx - Alltel: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows CE; PPC; 240x320))

SoLibertyDies said:
yeah just turn down the display brightness, computers are meant to be left on for extended periods of time so dont' worry about her just overnight. :)
Click to expand...

agreed. there is no problem leaving your machine up and running. Mine has been rendering videos (100%) usage for about 72 hours and still going...
 
UltraNEO*

UltraNEO*

macrumors 601
Jun 16, 2007
4,057
15
近畿日本
mines been on since xmas..
i've restarted a few times due to updates..
the LED backlight will out-live the life of the TFT anyway,
but remember, even with the brightness down to min, the screan will remain on...
you can see this if you shine a light on the dimmed display.

display sleep is definitely life saving...
 
TheReef

TheReef

macrumors 68000
Sep 30, 2007
1,888
167
NSW, Australia.
FadeToBlack said:
You can also sleep the display by hitting control+shift+eject. That's what I do on my iMac if I need to leave it running overnight.
Click to expand...

Double thanks! I've been looking for that one for a while! :)


Too the OP, you can also reduce the processor performance in the "Energy Saver" control panel, to reduce heat.
 
benlangdon

benlangdon

macrumors 65816
Jan 13, 2008
1,497
0
FadeToBlack said:
You can also sleep the display by hitting control+shift+eject.
Click to expand...

that doesn't work on my mbp
it turns it off but as soon as i release ctrl+shift it turns back on.
would be nice because i leave mine on a lot, i just usually turn the display sleep for 5min or something
 
UltraNEO*

UltraNEO*

macrumors 601
Jun 16, 2007
4,057
15
近畿日本
benlangdon said:
that doesn't work on my mbp
it turns it off but as soon as i release ctrl+shift it turns back on.
would be nice because i leave mine on a lot, i just usually turn the display sleep for 5min or something
Click to expand...

Try doing it, so the eject key is the last key to be released. ;)
 
benlangdon

benlangdon

macrumors 65816
Jan 13, 2008
1,497
0
matperk said:
If I'm not mistaken, on my MBP that puts the system to sleep, not just the display. I can't really try it now, but I've done it before.
Click to expand...

i did it while doing stuff and it didn't do anything so your free to try
and if you figure it out on a mbp
thanks
 
FadeToBlack

FadeToBlack

macrumors 68000
Apr 27, 2005
1,843
5
Accoville, WV
The shortcut for full system sleep is command+option+eject.

I'd been looking for a way to force the display to sleep for a long time and somehow ran across that keyboard shortcut a while back. I can't remember where I found it, but I was so happy when I did.

Glad I could be of help to you guys. That's what I love about MR. :)
 
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