Abstract: A computer system with unattended on-demand availability includes power-saving features which place the system into a Standby mode whenever the system is idle or is not being used. Prior to entering Standby mode, the system sets a hardware timer which indicates when the next scheduled event in the system should be performed. When either the timer expires or another event occurs which requires system operation, the system resumes to the On power state without user intervention. In one embodiment, the system of the present invention allows applications to periodically save their operational states. By saving their operational states, applications are able to guard against power failures and crashes. If a power failure or crash occurs, the system consults restart policies and, if appropriate, automatically re-starts applications to their most recently saved operational states once power is re-stored.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for task scheduling across multiple execution sessions allows each scheduled task to be scheduled to occur at a specific time(s), to occur periodically, or to occur in response to certain system events. A task can be scheduled which requires execution of an application even if the application is not running at the scheduled time or event, and even if the system is in a low-power standby mode at the scheduled time or event. In one embodiment, the present invention keeps track of specific time events by setting a timer(s) which indicates the time which should elapse until a scheduled event is to occur. When a timer expires, the system determines which task is scheduled to occur at the time the timer expires and executes that task. In one embodiment, the present invention checks a scheduling database to determine which task is scheduled to occur when a timer expires.

Abstract: A computer system with unattended on-demand availability includes power-saving features which place the system into a Standby mode whenever the system is idle or is not being used. Prior to entering Standby mode, the system sets a hardware timer which indicates when the next scheduled event in the system should be performed. When either the timer expires or another event occurs which requires system operation, the system resumes to the On power state without user intervention. In one embodiment, the system of the present invention allows applications to periodically save their operational states. By saving their operational states, applications are able to guard against power failures and crashes. If a power failure or crash occurs, the system consults restart policies and, if appropriate, automatically re-starts applications to their most recently saved operational states once power is re-stored.