Yes, this can be changed. Do the following:
1. Select Start button, "Control Panel" menu item.
2. Click "Power Options".
3. Click "Change plan settings" under the active plan.
4. Click "Change advanced power settings".
5. Locate and expand "Power buttons and lid" option.
6. Locate and expand "Start menu power button" option.
7. Change the "On battery" and "Plugged in" options from "Sleep" to
Shutdown".
8. Click OK button.
This should do the job.
- Chirag
PowerShow - View multiple PowerPoint slide shows simultaneously
http://officeone.mvps.org/powershow/powershow.html