Windows 7 sleeping during renders..zzz...

[Macer]

I've just upgraded the OS on a workstation, from Vista ult 64 to win 7 pro 64. It has all the latest updates installed.

 

I also used the opportunity to install Max Design 2011. The latest hotfix is installed.

 

My problem is that windows 7 goes to sleep after the specified period even though Max is rendering at 100% usage. How can I stop this from happening whilst keeping the sleep function enabled.

 

Currently this is the only workstation using win 7. All others are on xp or vista and don't suffer from this problem, ie. they go to sleep after the rendering has completed.

 

I would like to keep the sleep function enabled as I am under pressure from my employer to save as much energy as possible, which is difficult when you have dual quads (several workstations - if i can sort this problem) running when not required.

 

Hopefully it is as simple as a check box somewhere in windows telling it that max isn't a background process and not to sleep when its active, or a perhaps a setting in max?

 

Otherwise I suppose I could disable sleep and somehow configure max to shutdown the pc after rendering?

 

I'm just annoyed as this function worked well in other version of windows and max!

 

Any ideas?

 

(Not to sure why I posted in this section, maybe because there is no OS software section and this is kind of to do with configuration?!)

Edited September 5, 2010 by Macer

[djoshi]

Most pathetic release ever..WINDOWS 7....

 

I am also struggling like this with many aspect on my new DELL lapy.. .

 

software compatibility issue is a monster in this...

 

This can not solve your issue..But I am relieving my frustration..sorry..hope some one can give solution to you..

 

Windows 7.."Simplifying your PC" Huh.. doing exactly reverse..

 

Windows XP The Real hero...!!

[mu_688687]

I don't think win 7 is bad it's far better than vista and very nice you just need to be active and Mark your system is going on sleep coz you have not done the setting you need to do setting I'v attached the screen shot you just have to follow the step go to Control panel and then go to power option and do the setting shown in screen shot.

[Casey Hawley]

You cannot save power while rendering! Rendering takes all power, so just set "display" to whatever time limit you want, but put "system" to never.

 

Also, I use different "themes" for work and play. So when I am at work (rendering) there is no screen saver and power is always on.. no sleep. Takes some getting used to, but can really help once you do!

 

Good luck!

[Macer]

I am not trying to save power while rendering (but windows 7 is!), I am trying to have the machines sleep after completing rendering, as I have done over the last few OSs and Max releases! I guess I may have to go down the route of different themes.

 

I'm really disappointed that this feature has been removed, as it does save a lot of energy when you add up the unused overnight and weekend hours, then times that by the number of machines... ...so much for the drive towards greener computing!

[-MerlyN-]

Have been wondering... Are you using VRay and rendering as low thread priority (in Vray's system rollout)? Maybe that confuses windows... just an idea.

[Matt McDonald]

We've run into this as well. The 3dsmax.exe application (launched via network rendering) will not keep the machine awake, even if its going crazy rendering. Unfortunately, you have to set the power options to "never sleep" when plugged (as mentioned above).

[Macer]

No V-Ray, MR at normal priority. Really seems like a step backward...

 

Never mind, at least I'm not the only one.