Windows standby

[foreright]

Is windows standby failsafe in as much as it reactivates with the shake of a mouse like screensaver does.
I am a PC user of many years and have never used it. As I have my PC at one end of my lounge and my TV at the other, I often find the PC noise distracting - but don't want to turn it off.
The PC I have now is noisier than my 3 previous ones and fancy giving the standby feature a go.
I use XP Home and would welcome some advice re. a) standby's guarantee to kick back in, and b) some advice on settings.
Thanks for your help.

 

[foreright]

Thanks for the advice.
UI am not too sure of the spec of the PC. I had a lightning strike / power surge and needed a repair in a hurry.
All I know was that I had a new ASUS MB and an AMD PSU apart from that I am in the dark. I shall not touch the PC as when I'm using it, I am not too bothered. It is just disconcerting sometimes hearing it from the other end of the room. But I still want it on and so the standby issue was raised.
BTW is your method the same, better or what in comparison from doing it within windows power management option