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Thread ID: 76006 2007-01-17 10:18:00 Do you turn your computer off? kingping (11473) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
516888 2007-01-17 18:09:00 My computer switches on at 8:10 by itself. I then use it from about that time to 10:20, then switch it off. In the afternoon, I may switch it back on to watch a DVD, then switch it back off until it's auto switch on the next day. pcuser42 (130)
516889 2007-01-17 20:46:00 If my computer at home was quiet enough and energy efficient enough when not in use I'd leave it on 24/7 since it saves having to boot up when I want to do something on it. winmacguy (3367)
516890 2007-01-17 21:07:00 PC at home only gets switched off when we go on holiday, or when an install/update requires it, or when Mr Gate$'s (arguably best yet) operating system (XP Pro) spits the dummy for some reason.

Laptop (Tosh M30) mainly on 24/7, hibernating when being moved. Otherwise same as home PC...

Like ninjabear, when I need/want to use the machine, I want it NOW! :)
johcar (6283)
516891 2007-01-17 21:12:00 PC at home only gets switched off when we go on holiday, or when an install/update requires it, or when Mr Gate$'s (arguably best yet) operating system (XP Pro) spits the dummy for some reason.


Can't argue with that from a Windows point of view.
winmacguy (3367)
516892 2007-01-17 21:14:00 KP, I have always believed it best to leave the PC on, with a UPS to protect from power spikes etc.
However nowadays I think gaming probably stresses the PC as much as booting.

I think if you leave the PC on, make sure you have surge protection and even better a UPS for graceful shutdown.
SolMiester (139)
516893 2007-01-18 01:47:00 Booting doesn't really stress anything, that's largely an old wives' tale, probably from the days of valve computers where switch-on current surges would often result in random valve heater-filament failures .

For modern computers, such issues don't exist, and today's power supplies soft-start, so there is no "sudden shock syndrome" to worry about . However, the bearings in your HDD and some other electronic components have a finite life, so why stress them unnecessarily by extending their operational hours?

I have turned my computers off nightly for 13 years, the oldest is now over 10 years and that means about 3500 startup cycles . The more recent computer is 7-8 years old and that means a minimum of 2500 startup cycles . Neither seems particularly stressed about that treatment .

The advantage of switching off is a clean boot every morning, and if the "waiting for boot" time is a problem, you seriously need to get a life .

Cheers

Billy 8-{)
Billy T (70)
516894 2007-01-18 01:51:00 I think the only reason you need to turn your computer off at night these days is purely for the environmental reason of power saving which is a good reason in itself. winmacguy (3367)
516895 2007-01-18 03:03:00 I think the only reason you need to turn your computer off at night these days is purely for the environmental reason of power saving which is a good reason in itself.

And flushes the RAM. Nothing worse than using the computer after shutting down Steam after playing Half Life 2.
bob_doe_nz (92)
516896 2007-01-18 04:27:00 Agree with Billy T

The "stress on components" may have had some validity in 1967, not now.

If you leave it on 24/7, then it's roughly around $200 - $300 per year for power in total. Scale it back for the hours you actually use it and therefore need it on.

Soon adds up to a new PC unless you actually use it 24/7...?
godfather (25)
516897 2007-01-18 05:06:00 Mines always on but I schedule virus downloads and scans in the early morning also windows updates software downloads all that sort of thing I can't be bothered watching or having slow down the comp when I am using it. DeSade (984)
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