Screen Flashing on Green PCs with Some AMI BIOS Versions

• Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

With some AMI BIOS versions, some Green computer systems that have built-in power management support may experience a constant flashing of the screen. The screen may start flashing as soon as Windows 95 starts, after a long period of inactivity on the computer, or after you attempt to suspend the computer.

In addition to the screen flashing every few seconds, the mouse cursor may jump to the center of the screen, and the system may respond so slowly that you are unable to use it.

CAUSE

When Windows 95 Advanced Power Management polls the BIOS for APM events, the BIOS returns a Resume From Suspend command. This causes Windows 95 to reinitialize some software and hardware, such as the display and the mouse, resulting in the screen flashing, the mouse centering, and the delays.

RESOLUTION

To work around this behavior, you must disable Windows 95 power management support. To do so, use one of the following methods:

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel on the menu that appears.

2. In Control Panel, double-click the System icon.

3. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Device Manager tab, and then double-click System Devices.

4. Double-click Advanced Power Management Support.

5. Click the Settings tab.

6. Make sure that the box to Enable Power Management Support is not checked.

7. Click the OK button, shut down the computer, and then restart Windows 95

Disable power management with the computer's BIOS Setup utility. For more information about the computer's BIOS Setup utility, please consult your computer documentation or manufacturer.

MORE INFORMATION

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