Good Day: Couldn't find tne subject to cover my Q so here goes.I have WindowsME. IE6., Firefox.,ISP is Cable Modem. Also have a Hardware Firewall/router
Q.  Since installing the hardware Firewall, when I hibernate for the night only some of the green LED lights go off on the Firewall. And all the green and activity lights STAY ON on the Modem.  To me, this means that I am not completely shutting down and therefore NOT saving energy.
  As my ssystem is connected to a Surge Protector, would it be better to shut off at this level?
                                          EdmundoR

If the modem is on you are using energy. If the computer is on you are using energy,though less with hibernation.

To be the most energy efficient, you would shut both items down.i don't think i quite understand but as far as i know when you hibernate your computer is shut off COMPLETELY because once i did hibernte and had to unplug the power for some reason and it still "woke up" fine and my friend put it in hibernate when he movet to another house so turn off the surge bar and wait for the modem\router\w\e to be in the same state they were when you shut the comp off b4 you turn it back onGood Day:
         Att: Soviet G. and GX1 Man:
Thanks for your messages. I haven't anything to report on results yet as I wanted to get some advice first. But I will try switching off at the Surge Protector and shut everything down that WAY. I dont mind the longer wait in re-booting so long as I conserve energy!
                                        EdmundoRHow are the modem and firewall connected to your PC?  By ethernet cable or USB?Just so you know, if you turn on and off your computer alot everyday, you might as well leave in on since all that on/off times strains the PSU alot.. and a new PSU costs alot more then itty bitty bits of electricity.Att: Robpomeroy:
                My Modem and Firewall/router are connected to each other >>surge protector>>cable ethernet. Does this help you to answer my Q ?
 To re-cap, as I hibernate to save a little bit of energy, the fact that my modem lights stay lit and the firewall/router also [some], indicates maybe I am not. This is why I am considering switching off at the Surge protector nightly which should turn off all systems. I am aware of the argument re shutting down v. always on, [TN2COOL's msg--Thanks TN2COOL ] but would appreciate your comments.
                            EdmundoR

So basically the router and firewall are powered independantly of the computer (rather than through a USB port, for example).  In fact both these devices are computers in their own rights (they just don't look like computers), so you'd need to switch them off separately.  By unplugging.And just to add a little more confusion, high speed devices such as modems. routers etc are designed to be left connected and powered up. A possible downside of disconnecting may be a change of IP.

It's really down to user choice but I suspect that there are umpteen other things that you could do around the home/office that would save far more energy.Thanks MENTOR------for making my little problem progress to the 'gigantic 'stage!!
  You have "put the ball in my court" as the adage goes. For one who is always cautious when DEALING with complicated TECH units like PCs I dig the 'user choice' decision.  Oh, and Yes, there ARE many things in the home one can do to conserve Energy,Fluorescent lamps. Turn gas furnace down,etc. [Been there. Done it! ] But thanks for the reminder.
 Not quite sure what you mean with the.."maybe a change of IP". Do some do this?          Regards,  EdmundoRThe change of IP is meant that when you disconnect with your ISP service, the IP that they register you under is scrambled and then refreshed, giving you a totally different one, it serves many good purposes like to deter/confuse anyone who's trying to get into your network, ect.

Here's a power saving tip, swtich to AMD.. Most AMD CPU's use about 30w's less then the P4's, thus giving off less heat also.  If you calculate out the power used, (P=W/T), you'll find you can save lots of $$!Yes, if you kept that PC running 24 hours a day for a year, with the AMD PROCESSOR, you would save approximately $15 a year over an equivalent Intel.   Att: TN2COOL  and Robpom:
     Hurrah! Seems I am on the winning side after all as I do have an AMD CPU.
Soon I will be hearing the jangle of coin in my pockets that I have saved . I appreciate the input on the pros & cons on this subject you all have raised.
                  Thanks,             EdmundoR
 
Hah, I don't know where you live rob, but electricity in California is not cheap, they charge ALOT.. maybe you live in one of the TVA dam areas? I heard the government charges really cheap there..
That tiny amount of money is better then nothing though, so I think the AMD still wins!  

Switching to LCD would also save money too I think.