Win 8.1 Sleeping during active build

[warx]

Hi,

Switched from MacBook Air to a new 2-in-1 Win8.1 PC (to get away from the USB issues). I thought that the app would force Windows not to sleep when building (says so in 1.1.1 release notes) but my machine sleeps and immediately printing stops until I swipe my screen. I am trying to continue by setting sleep to "never" but I thought it was smarter than this. I know Win7 was able to do this for applications.

Cheers,
Mike.

[JoeJ]

Maybe it is one of the energy saving preferences?

Windows will absolutely trash your USB communications if the computer goes to sleep, so you definitely need to have a way to keep it awake.

[warx]

Yep. Changing the plugged in sleep setting to "Never" forces it to stay away and my print completed. I was just expecting Simplify3D to do this automatically while an active build was in progress. At least that is how I interpreted this from the release notes for 1.1.2:

"Added cross platform method to keep computers from going to sleep during active builds (since this can disrupt serial communication)"

[TopJimmyCooks]

This is true with most printer control software - R-H, pronterface, etc. They will not prevent Windows sleep, and sleep will stop printing by cutting off usb communication. There are two choices to explore: 1. Set your pc not to sleep or hibernate. You can still use a blank screen screensaver if you wish. or, 2. Use another means of communicating with the printer- export the gcode to an SD card since most printers have SD capability, or if you have an open source control board you can use a RasPi and OctoPi/Octoprint to run the printer, which is what I usually do.

[jimc]

I had this happen on my 8.1 machine as well. This is not s3d fault. S3d is trying to keep your machine awake but 8.1 is set to ignore all that stuff. Problem is that its a setting deep in the system. You really have to dig to find it. Ill see if i can remember where it was and post later.

[Naboo]

Hi,

i actually installed v 3.0.1 of simplify3d and Print-Rite Repetier (free of Charge) - if i print with Repetier-Host it is no Problem to lock my Win8.1 Computer - also the print continues if the Computer goes into energy saving mode.

Unfortunately if i use the Simplify3D Software print stops immidiately if the Computer goes into sleep mode...

So it seems that is not a OS Problem - it is a Simplify3D Problem...

br, Markus

[JoeJ]

I don't think it's possible for any program on your computer to continue sending commands over a USB port if the computer goes to sleep. That's just how the OS works.

That being said, I am also able to print just fine from S3D to my printer if I lock my screen on Windows 8.1. Still keeps printing just fine.