A recap:

The desired goal is to get the power settings to remain the same for all users that log in. Or at very least, create custom settings for all new users by copying a template profile to the default users profile, providing that these settings can be configured and saved to the default profile.

Again, the problem is that when different users log in, the power settings are unique to them, and can't be changed globally. The default settings from windows created for each new user is not desired, and can’t be changed by applying custom settings to a template profile then copying that profile to the default user profile, as described here: HOW TO: Create a Custom Default User Profile. As new users log in, all other custom settings are utilized, however power settings are the XP default, and not the custom settings that were copied to the default user profile.

The hardware profile only allows you to add, remove, and configure hardware for varying circumstances, i.e. dock/undock, serial connection/no connection. These settings are versatile only in that respect, but not with respect to a user setting, which is what power management appears to be. I just don't see how using different hardware profiles is the way to do it. Either one of two things has happened here. Either I just don’t understand what you are advising and need my hand held from start to finish , or you guys have misunderstood the issue…please advise either way…