[Max]

I have scheduled my machine to sleep at a certain time every night, and wake at a certain time every morning. But I just noticed something about the various possibilities available under Sleep—>Schedule:


Top Checkbox (Single choice):
> Start or wake

Bottom Checkbox (Three Drop-down menu choices):
> Sleep
> Restart
> Shut Down


What is the purpose of the "Restart" choice in the Bottom Checkbox drop-down menu? In what situation would you choose that instead of simply checking the Top Checkbox? (It's probably obvious, but I'm having a "bad brain" day. )

[turtle777]

Actually, I don't think it's all that obvious.

I could think that this feature comes handy in a public library or computer lab, where you want the computers to be rebooted in the morning and ready for login.

-t

[Max]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Actually, I don't think it's all that obvious.

I could think that this feature comes handy in a public library or computer lab, where you want the computers to be rebooted in the morning and ready for login.

-t

How? How is "Restart" any different than "Start?"

[Art Vandelay]

Start is when the computer is already off. Restart is to reboot a running computer.

[AKcrab]

Restart = Reboot
Start = Boot

Both do the same assuming the computer is off, but different things if the computer is on.

?

[Max]

I still don't get it.

[JKT]

You can only restart a computer that is already up and running. You can only start a computer that is currently off. They are two different things with the same end result, a booted computer.

[Max]

Originally Posted by JKT 

You can only restart a computer that is already up and running. You can only start a computer that is currently off. They are two different things with the same end result, a booted computer.

And what kinds of scenarios would arise where you'd use one instead of (or—given the possible choices—in addition to) the other?

[ibook_steve]

You restart if you want to quit all programs, restart the machine, and get back to the login screen or OS desktop.

You start the machine if it has been shut down and want to get to the login screen or OS.

You wake the machine if it was put to sleep.

The schedule options add on to each other since they're checkboxes. In other words, you can choose a time of day when the machine should be be shut down or rebooted. You can schedule a different time of day to start up from a powered down machine or wake from sleep. It's just to make the scheduling more flexible.

Steve

[Max]

Originally Posted by ibook_steve 

You restart if you want to quit all programs, restart the machine, and get back to the login screen or OS desktop.

You start the machine if it has been shut down and want to get to the login screen or OS.

You wake the machine if it was put to sleep.

The schedule options add on to each other since they're checkboxes. In other words, you can choose a time of day when the machine should be be shut down or rebooted. You can schedule a different time of day to start up from a powered down machine or wake from sleep. It's just to make the scheduling more flexible.

Steve

It seems odd...the top checkbox has a "start/wake" option (its only option); the bottom checkbox has 3 options—two that you would use to stop working ("sleep" and "shut down"), but one ("restart") that—like the top checkbox—starts the machine. I understand how one would use the top checkbox's "start/wake" option in conjunction with either the sleep or shut down option under the bottom checkbox (in fact, that's how I use it). But I just don't see what the "restart" option is doing there: I'm not sure when I'd want to schedule a "restart" in the middle of my work, and I can't possibly imagine selecting a "restart" schedule in combination with a "start/wake" schedule.

[ibook_steve]

Restart can be used by servers or other machines to clear memory or caches, potentially improving performance. Scheduling a restart for the middle of the night every night is often done.

Start/wake doesn't necessarily have to be used with this. What if you sleep your machine at lunch time, but you want it to wake by the time you get back from lunch?

Again, you can use it however you want to.

Steve

[Max]

Originally Posted by ibook_steve 

Restart can be used by servers or other machines to clear memory or caches, potentially improving performance. Scheduling a restart for the middle of the night every night is often done.

Start/wake doesn't necessarily have to be used with this. What if you sleep your machine at lunch time, but you want it to wake by the time you get back from lunch?

Again, you can use it however you want to.

Steve

Well, I guess so...though I'm still struck by the location of the "restart" option. It just seems that it belongs as an option under the top checkbox, along with "start" and "wake," rather than under the bottom checkbox, along with "shut down" and "sleep."

[Art Vandelay]

The top line is for when the computer is not already running. The bottom line is for when the computer is already running.

It's really quite simple and straightforward. You're over thinking it.

[Max]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay 

The top line is for when the computer is not already running. The bottom line is for when the computer is already running.

It's really quite simple and straightforward. You're over thinking it.

I suppose you're right (hmmm...I'm sure of it! ). I guess the location of such a choice (whose "need" escaped me...still sorta does) is no stranger than the location of its companions under the lower checkbox. After all, scheduling the machine to restart at the same time you've scheduled it to start/wake is no stranger (in fact, it's probably conceptually less strange) a possibility than scheduling it to sleep or shutdown at the same time you've scheduled it to start/wake. I'm not saying you'd make such choices, but being provided the option of doing so seems a rather "inelegant" design decision for a Mac.