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AllOff Lite Introduction Latest Version: 2.6 Size: 411KB Released 27-July-2010

AllOff Lite monitors the mouse, keyboard and CPU load and initiates computer power off if there has been no keyboard or mouse activity for 900 seconds and the average CPU load has been below 15% for over 60 seconds. AllOff Lite is part of the JSutils group of software utilities which have a theme of energy conservation. To find more energy and money saving ideas check out Practical Home Energy Saving.

Uses of ALLoff Lite include unattended backup (shutting down the computer when the backup has completed) and shutting down a computer if the user forgets. It can be started via the Windows Task Scheduler, on start up or manually. AllOff Lite is a great little utility for saving energy by making sure a computer shuts down when not needed.

The program requires a registration code to run - this can be obtained free for personal non commercial use from the download* page on JSutils*. Commercial licences can be obtained via the licencing page*. Registration codes from previous versions are compatible with version 2.6.

To find out what is new and changed in version 2.6 have a look at History.

Installation is simple just unzip the installer AllOffL.exe from the downloaded file AllOffL.zip, double click on the installer and follow the on screen instructions (when selected, shortcuts are installed for all users). As well as installing the program this will also install the help pages. Start the program and enter the registration code to start using AllOff Lite. AllOff Lite supports Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista and Windows 7. The program needs administrator privileges to install.

By default both CPU load and Keyboard/Mouse detection are enabled however during installation you are given the option to disable either, in this case the relevant function will not be displayed.

AllOff Lite operates by checking for keyboard and mouse activity plus the CPU load once a second. Each time there is activity the countdown timer is reset until the countdown time is reached and power off is initiated. Each time a key is pressed or the mouse is moved the activity will be displayed on the left of the main screen (when visible) with a 'K' indicating key presses and an 'M' indicating mouse movement. The average CPU load is also displayed.

AllOff Lite runs in the System Tray (the program can be made visible by double clicking on the tray icon). Once power off is initiated AllOff Lite switches to visible 'run on top' and the About, Exit and Test buttons are disabled. Power off can be cancelled by clicking the Cancel button which will put the program back in the System Tray unless the program was already visible. Program operation is inhibited while the About screen is open, this screen will automatically time out after 30 seconds if left open.

CPU averaging works by adding the CPU load measured every second over an averaging period of 5 seconds and dividing it by the averaging period. This does mean that the average load can increase after the instantaneous CPU load has decreased due to previous values. This is especially noticeable with wide variations in CPU load. If the time the program has been active is less than the averaging period the time active is used as the averaging period.

Click on the Test button to enable Test Mode which reduces keyboard, mouse and cpu monitoring periods to 5 seconds and puts up a pop up rather than powering off the computer. Clicking the Test button while in Test Mode will reinitialise Test Mode. Click the Reset button to exit Test Mode or to reset the program in operational mode.

The program consumes very little system resources but it does run with a high priority. Power off has been configured to force all running applications to close. For information about the log file see Log File. It is only possible to run one instance of AllOff Lite at a time. If AllOff Lite is in power off mode when an attempt to start a second instance occurs the error message will open beneath the first program window which will take priority.

If you have a problem with this program, have any suggestions for improvement or have a novel use for it then let us know. Before reporting a problem always check the AllOff Lite* section of JSutils* for the latest FAQ, Release Notes, Known Issues and other updated information.

Links with an '*' next to them require an active Internet connection to work.