Solved Desktop dark after computer idle for more than an hour-(won't come back on)

Well, this is a new problem.

That's pretty much it. When I walk away from my laptop for an hour or more and come back and touch the touchpad, nothing happens.

It is supposed to reengage the computer since it had been in rest (or sleep) mode and it used to come back. But not now.

I can't get it to do anything. So I have to take out the battery pack and also disconnect from the power cord to the computer in order to shut it down and then start it up again.

When the computer comes back on, it asks me in the boot page if I want to do a normal restart (as well as other option starts such as Safe mode start and other methods of starts). I choose normal and the computer does just fine......until an hour of idleness has passed in which case the problem starts again.

What is wrong here and how can I fix it?

Thanks much.

Welcome
See if this tutorial from our Seven Forums, but eqully applicable to Vista can help
Windows Does Not Start After Sleep - Windows 7 Forums

If the above does not work type event viewer in search (by start button) go to administrative events in left panel and look for possible cause (error).

Yes, I followed those instructions from the tutorial. I saw that the Sleep Mode was set for an hour so I reset it for Never. I'll bet that solves the problem.

But first I'll test it and contact you later after I let it sit idle for awhile.

I think your solution worked. I was away from the computer and when I came back later and touched the touchpad, it came back on. I wish to mark this case as solved.

How do I do that? Thank you.

Glad that the tutorial worked. You did it by following instructions. Computers are actually dumb, they know just what you tell them to do.
Good luck.

Ill mark it solved for you.

Thanks.