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Using

Using DownOff Latest Version:2.1 Size: 499KB Released 11-September-2008

DownOff operates by checking the average download rate once a second and comparing it with a preset threshold, each time the average download rate load exceeds the preset limit the countdown timer is reset until the countdown time is reached and shutdown is initiated. The time before the program activates, the period over which the download rate is averaged and the shutdown time are configurable to suit particular circumstances. The program runs with high priority. DownOff supports the following types of shut down: Hibernate, Power Off, Reboot, Shutdown and Standby (some computers will not support all shut down modes). Shutdown, Power Off and Reboot have been configured to force all running applications to close. For information about logging see Log Files and for information about configuring DownOff see Configuration.

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

The optional slave program installed on a second computer monitors communications from the main program and initiates shutdown when the master program enters shutdown. There is no communication back to the main program. The slave program display shows communications status.

Click on the Test button to enable Test Mode which sets the activation delay to 2 seconds and the monitoring period to 5 seconds and puts up a pop up rather than powering off the computer. Clicking the Test button while in Test Mode will restart Test Mode. If the DownOff Slave is used clicking Test will also put the Slave into test mode. Click the Reset button to exit Test Mode or Reset the program in Operational Mode (this will also reset the slave program if used).

Program operation is inhibited while either the About or Configuration screens are open. The About screen will automatically time out after 30 seconds if left open. The configuration screen will timeout after 600 seconds if left open, there is a warning message 90 seconds before this happens. The program is reset when the configuration screen is closed if any changes have been made, if no changes are made the program will resume from where it was stopped when the configuration screen is closed. The configuration can only be changed by users with administrative privileges. If DownOff is changed to run minimised closing the Configuration screen will put the program back in the System Tray. Communications to the Slave, if used, are not inhibited when the configuration screen of the main program is open.

When set to run minimised (the default) DownOff runs in the System Tray (the program can be reactivated by double clicking on the tray icon). Once shutdown is initiated DownOff always switches to visible 'run on top' and the About, Exit, Test and Configuration buttons are disabled. Shutdown can be cancelled by clicking the Cancel button which will put the program back in the System Tray if DownOff is set to run minimised.

DownOff monitors all sub directories of the specified download directory as well as the directory itself.. If the number of files in this directory tree is very large (thousands) the program will start to use significant CPU resources. This usually occurs with Internet Explorer - the solution is to clean up the temporary internet files. Always set the monitored directory to the lowest level possible.