Close laptop with external monitor

Is there a way to close the laptop with out it shutting down? I have an external monitor setup up and connected to an Acer 5610 laptop. I will be using an external monitor most of the time, with a wireless usb mouse and keyboard. I would like to have the laptop closed, but still working. This is my first day with a laptop so I'm not to sure how to do this.

Thanks for the help.

 

Go to control panel, then Power Options, there should be a tab there you can choose your settings.

 

Go to your acer empowering technology program, then go to acer ePower Management. click the SETTING tab and the POWER BUTTON tab after that. The you will find POWER BUTTON options. Under the WHEN I CLOSE THE LID option, choose NO ACTION. -- then whenever you close the lid of your laptop nothing will happen to your Laptop, it is just like turning your monitor off.

 

You need to go under your power settings and adjust it so when you close your lid it does not turn off your pc by going into hibernate.

Right click the desktop and go to options. Then screen saver and power usage.

--ssx--