Mac OS X Tiger in a Nutshell

Name

pmset

Synopsis

pmset [-a | -b | -c] action
                     (
                     s
                     )

Modifies the system’s power management settings. pmset is a command-line alternative to the Energy Saver System Preferences. The settings apply system wide and across reboots. Therefore, pmset requires root privileges to run.

Options

-a

Use the settings that follow for all modes (the default).

-b

Use the settings that follow this flag when only the battery is in use.

-c

Use the settings that follow this flag only when the power adapter is plugged in.

-g subsystem

Display current settings of subsystem, where subsystem is one of:

cap

Capabilities of the machine

disk

Settings on disk

sched

Scheduled events

ups

UPS thresholds

ps

Battery and UPS status

pslog

Continuous log of power sources

-u

Use the settings that follow this flag only when running off a UPS.

Actions

acwake 1 | 0

Wake when the power source is changed.

autorestart 1 | 0

Restart automatically after power loss.

disksleep n

Spin down the hard drive after n minutes of idle time.

displaysleep n

Dim the display after n minutes of idle time.

dps 1 | 0

Change processor speed based on load.

halfdim 1 | 0

Dim the screen to halfway between full brightness and off.

lessbright 1 | 0

Dim the screen slightly when using this power source.

lidwake 1 | 0

Wake when the laptop lid is opened.

powerbutton 1 | 0

Sleep when the power button is pressed.

reduce 1 | 0

Reduce processor speed (1), or set to highest (0).

ring 1 | 0

Wake on modem ring

sleep n

Put the computer to sleep after n minutes ...