The computer screen dims after resume from Hibernation

The computer screen dims after resume from hibernation in Windows 7

This problem is related to Hibernation on Windows 7 PC and Laptops.
Customers running the Windows 7 client have reported issues in which they are unable to resume activity after their computer goes into hibernation.

According to Microsoft in some cases, the computer screen will dim after the users log on to resume from hibernation.

This issue is related specifically to Windows 7 and may be on Windows Server 2008 R2. Source: KB982635.

Condition of the issue:

• You have a computer that is running Windows 7.
• You configure the power button to be used for hibernation on the computer.
• You change the setting of the Password protection on wake up setting to the Require a password (recommended) option.
• The computer is put into hibernation.
• You press the power button to resume the computer from hibernation. You are prompted to enter your user account credentials.
• The computer is put into hibernation again while you try to log on to the computer.
• For example, the computer is put into hibernation because of low power or because the power button is pressed by mistake.
• You press the power button to resume the computer from hibernation again.

In this situation, the computer screen dims after you log on to resume from hibernation.

Cause: This issue occurs because two threads try to fade out the monitor at the same time.

Workaround: For Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2
To work around this issue, log on and then log off the computer.

Resolution:
Hotfix download available for only for Windows 7 (x86).

Request for hotfix HERE. Or Download it here.

Enable or Disable Windows Update Auto Restart

Stop and Disable Windows Update Auto Restart or Reboot

Auto-Restart dialog box

After downloading and installing an update from Windows Update, a window constantly pops up nagging you to restart, and even counting down to an automatic restart.
In Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP, after installing downloaded updates via Windows Update manually or scheduled Automatic Updates automatically, the system will ask to auto-restart to apply all the updates.

Windows 7 has the option to allow users to postpone or delay the restart, the computer will still automatically reboot sometime later, if the updates required reboot to complete the installation.
If the system is has running an important task and cannot be restarted right now then you may stop rebooting after the updates are installed. You can change this feature of Auto-restart/Auto-reboot in group policy so that you will not be interrupted while working.

Local Group Policy Editor

Here are the procedure to enable / disable the auto-restart feature:
Group Policy setting:

1. Click Start -> Run
2. Enter “gpedit.msc”
3. Go to Local Computer Policy -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates –> Windows Components -> Windows Update
4. Double-click on “No auto-restart for scheduled Automatic Update installation”
5. Disable or Enable it.
6. Reboot the computer.

No auto-restart for scheduled Automatic Update installation

You can also change the default setting of “Re-prompt for restart with scheduled installations” to remind you once a day, or so if you can still stand these pop-ups.

Re-prompt for restart with scheduled installations

Registry Editor setting:
This setting can be changed through registry with the following registry key and value.

1. Run Registry Editor (RegEdit). Type regedit in RUN box from start menu.
2. Go to Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
3. Change the NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers (If the key does not exist, create new one with this name) DWORD (32-bit) Value to 1 to disallow auto-reboot. By default, the value is 0 which allow auto-reboot.
4. Close registry editor.

When the policy is enabled, Automatic Updates will wait for the computer to be restarted by any user who is logged on, and not restart automatically. And Windows will not notify users that a restart is required to apply the updates.

Note:
This article is applicable for: Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Vista, Server 2008,  Windows 7,  Server 2008 R2 and later.
References:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328010