This post is more than 5 years old
1 Rookie
•
1 Message
0
179776
January 28th, 2009 23:00
How does computer know when lid is closed?
Hi, I just have a really random question. I have an Inspiron e1505, and I was wondering how, exactly, the computer knows when the lid is open and closed.
It's definitely a random question, but I'm suddenly very curious.
No Events found!
husky0894
1.6K Posts
1
January 29th, 2009 04:00
The answer is that somewhere in the system there's a switch that opens and closes when the screen is open or closed. On older systems the switch was visible, usually on the strip above the keyboard. On newer ones, it's very often a magnet hidden in the frame of the LCD panel that activates a switch built into the mainboard when you close the cover.
TheRealFireblad
3 Apprentice
•
4.6K Posts
1
January 29th, 2009 04:00
Welcome to the forums :emotion-21:
In Vista - you can choose what happens when you close the lid, in Control Panel/Power Options/'Choose what closing the lid does' (in the menu on the left of the window) :emotion-5:
ccctb2
5 Posts
1
January 29th, 2009 04:00
He asked, "how exactly the computer knows when the lid is open and closed"...
There's a lid switch. A mechanical switch. On older laptops, you can often see a small stick button sticking out of the surface, on most modern laptops it's somewhere in the hinge. The button then "sends" an ACPI signal to your operating system of choice. (Very simplified description)
eskymi
1.1K Posts
0
January 29th, 2009 07:00
Actually it knows because when you close the lid because there is a little guy with binoculars who's job it is is to monitor whether the computer is opened or closed. When the lid is closed he calls from his lookout position to the little guys down below, whos job it is is to run to the power switch and click it so the computer shuts off or goes to sleep.:emotion-2:
JK......have a nice day!