In Windows, why won't my computer wake up to run a scheduled Symantec AntiVirus scan?
Note: The University Information Security Office (UISO) recommends that you run the latest version of Symantec/Norton AntiVirus software (available to IU students, faculty, and staff for free via IUware) for your operating system, being sure to upgrade safely (see In Windows, how do I safely upgrade to the latest Symantec Endpoint or AntiVirus software?) and to update your virus definitions daily and scan your computer weekly. For instructions, see:
- Windows: In Symantec/Norton AntiVirus for Windows, how do I schedule automatic LiveUpdates and virus scans?
- Mac OS and OS X: In Symantec AntiVirus for Mac OS X, how do I schedule automatic LiveUpdates and virus scans?
When Windows power management is enabled on your computer, older versions of Symantec AntiVirus (SAV) cannot wake up the computer for a scheduled scan. If power management is disabled, the scheduled scan will run on time. This problem does not affect updated versions of SAV 8.1 and newer. To determine which version of SAV you have installed, see In Symantec/Norton AntiVirus, how do I check the version number of the program and the age of the virus pattern update?
UITS recommends you upgrade to the newest version of SAV. If you are unable to do so, you can disable computer sleep within power management:
Windows Vista
- From the
Startmenu, selectControl Panel.
- In Control Panel Classic View, select
Power Options. (If your Control Panel is set to the Vista default view, see In Windows Vista, how do I switch to the Windows Classic Start menu or Classic Control Panel?)
- Select any of the power plans listed, and then click
Change plan settings.
- Click the drop-down list next to "Put the computer to sleep" and
select
Never.
- Click
Save changes. Now your system will never go on standby or shut down after a certain period of inactivity.
Windows XP
- From the
Startmenu, select eitherControl Panel, orSettingsand thenControl Panel.
- Depending on your versions of Windows, double-click
Power Options,Power Management, orPower.
- Select a power scheme such as
Home/Office Desk,Minimal Power Management, orAlways On, so that your system never goes on standby or shuts down after a certain period of inactivity.
Note: The "Always On" power scheme can cause Windows XP to hang at shutdown. For more information, see In Windows XP, what should I do if my computer will not shut down?
Information in this article has been adapted from Symantec document number 1999100614082606.
Last modified on May 13, 2009.







