[CE2949BB]

Absolutely no news value to this, so I'm putting it in General/Chat.

[JoeProBono]

[john in springfield]

Turning a computer on and off creates tiny power surges which eventually can damage electronic components.

Not terribly true any more. In fact, you're probably more susceptible to power surges if you leave it on, especially if you don't have decent power surge protection.

Really, whatever you want to do is fine.

[Waco]

If it works,,,,,don’t fix it.

[Lazamataz]

Turning a computer off allows the board to cool. Turning it on heats it up. The shrinking and growth causes the connections to loosen and crack.

Plus, it angers Binatonka, the Aztec God of Digital Equipment.

[ArkansasBushfan]

I have been turning my computer off for years and have never had a problem with it. In fact turning the PC off will reset some problems you might have.

[ptsal]

leave it running... The RNC has a computer project in which they are polling residents (larger group than citizens) looking for the LAST CONSERVATIVE.

[mkjessup]

Absolutely no news value to this, so I'm putting it in General/Chat.

Oh I wouldn't say that, I think there is great value to this article, because it reminds people of another way to say "UP YOURS!" to the environmental wackos who would prefer us to use an energy-saving abacus instead of computers, so I'll remember to leave my systems on 24/7.

Have a great weekend! :)

[SamAdams76]

I'm using a computer that hasn't been turned off in four years (from the day I took it home). It reboots from time to time when I add new software or patches but it has always been on and I have had zero issues with it.

On an unrelated matter, there is a person out in California who has had Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" playing on a CD player constantly since 1985. He simply has the CD player in repeat mode and it has been spinning Pink Floyd ever since. I assume that he puts it on mute from time to time to keep his sanity.

[TomGuy]

Mine goes all day. Many of the newer items automatically go in to ‘sleep’ mode for inaction.

If I am going out for a while, I do turn off the monitor.

At night, occasionally, I will do a full shutdown (WinXP). Most nights, I just do a standby/hibernate, as it turns off the ‘mechanical’ parts.

[napscoordinator]

It doesn’t really matter anymore. Computers last approx 4 years at the most. Keep it on 24/7 is no big deal.

[eXe]

4 computers here that see use daily, one is a linux box. None of them get turned off because they are always in use (We run a business from home)

Other than upgrades or vacations (when we will be away for more than a few hours.. they never get turned off. Been working like this for years and never had a problem.

I found I had MORE problems with components breaking when I turned them on and off all the time.. but that might be just me.

[GonzoII]

Turn off an idle computer, or leave it running?
______________________________

Thanks, I needed that!!! I had just been wondering!

[freerites]

Yeah pretty normal and sound tech advice.

Powering it on and off a lot is pointless, it can wear a pc out the way a car would be with its starter.

I have my monitor turn off automatically after 5mins of inactivity and am all set..It’s actually hard to sleep if i can’t hear the pc fan on but thats a nerd thing i guess.
:)

[VA Voter]

OK technogeeks, what is the probability (possibility) of a machine left on 24/7 being compromised by a hacker for spam, spyware, viruses, etc.?

[SunkenCiv]

Idle computer? Anyone have any idea what they’re talking about?

[Chode]

if something is going to fail, it's usually in the power up phase... leave it on.

[Straight Vermonter]

You should be doing some protein folding for the FR folding team when your PC is idle. We are one of the top teams in the world. Lots of info on how to join etc at the link.

[PushinTin]

I also concur, it really doesn't matter if you leave it on or turn it off. I will caution you on one point, if you leave it on the fans will run constantly. This cycles all the dust suspended it the air through your computer 24/7. Leaving it on is fine, but set a strict schedule for cleaning the inside of your computer. I have worked on some of theses 24/7 machines and you would not believe the amount of dust that can accumulate in the heat-sink fins and on the fan blades. Leave it on and keep it clean and you will be fine.

[Proud 2BeTexan]

What about laptops?

[neverdem]

Absolutely no news value to this, so I'm putting it in General/Chat.

For those who don't know it, it's news.