Comments on: Is It Safe To Leave A Computer On All The Time? http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/ Helping Normal People Get Their Geek On Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:19:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Tech Tips http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/comment-page-1/#comment-35392 Tech Tips Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:11:26 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/#comment-35392 I agree that if its a desktop computer leave it on. If it is a laptop then turn it off at night. Besides the wear and tear issues, laptops just seem to get squirely (a tech term) when going in and out of sleep mode. With a desktop I still recommend rebooting it every day or two as this seems to help with stability. I agree that if its a desktop computer leave it on. If it is a laptop then turn it off at night. Besides the wear and tear issues, laptops just seem to get squirely (a tech term) when going in and out of sleep mode.

With a desktop I still recommend rebooting it every day or two as this seems to help with stability.

]]> By: Computo http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/comment-page-1/#comment-34896 Computo Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:40:39 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/#comment-34896 If you choose to leave your computer on all the time, It would be more safe to Not have it connected to the Internet. in my opinion, unless you run some type of business there is all most no point of leaving a computer running all the time. If the only reason you want leave your computer on 24/7 is because it starts up slow then you may want to consider upgrading the memory in it. Although not much for the average computer, they still use electricity so is it really worth keeping it on just because it starts up slow? The choose is yours. If you choose to leave your computer on all the time, It would be more safe to Not have it connected to the Internet. in my opinion, unless you run some type of business there is all most no point of leaving a computer running all the time. If the only reason you want leave your computer on 24/7 is because it starts up slow then you may want to consider upgrading the memory in it. Although not much for the average computer, they still use electricity so is it really worth keeping it on just because it starts up slow? The choose is yours.

]]> By: Tim.T http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/comment-page-1/#comment-26089 Tim.T Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:21:25 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/#comment-26089 Sometimes I turn the PC off; sometimes I leave it running for days. What this treatment is doing to my 2-year old high-spec dual-core machine I cannot tell, but it runs fine, purrs like a kitten. Never had any hardware issues thus far. This whole discussion reminds me of those big rocks you see in the desert which, over time, have split and broken apart because of eons of expanding in the daytime heat, and contracting in the night time cold. Eventually the rocks can't take any more and fall apart. I suppose that happens to electrical devices, too, sooner or later. So while I am still not entirely comfortable with leaving it on for days, I think that might be the best option. I use a free little program called 'SpeedFan' to monitor all my fan speeds, hard drive temp, ambient and core temps - this helps me check to see if there's any over-heating, and it also eases my mind a little. If you still want your PC to do something useful while it's idle, get it to run one of the many apps out there like ClimatePrediction, SETI@home, World Community Grid programs, etc. You can set them to use as little or as much CPU power as you want, and your results will benefit all mankind! Sometimes I turn the PC off; sometimes I leave it running for days. What this treatment is doing to my 2-year old high-spec dual-core machine I cannot tell, but it runs fine, purrs like a kitten. Never had any hardware issues thus far. This whole discussion reminds me of those big rocks you see in the desert which, over time, have split and broken apart because of eons of expanding in the daytime heat, and contracting in the night time cold. Eventually the rocks can’t take any more and fall apart. I suppose that happens to electrical devices, too, sooner or later. So while I am still not entirely comfortable with leaving it on for days, I think that might be the best option. I use a free little program called ‘SpeedFan’ to monitor all my fan speeds, hard drive temp, ambient and core temps – this helps me check to see if there’s any over-heating, and it also eases my mind a little.

If you still want your PC to do something useful while it’s idle, get it to run one of the many apps out there like ClimatePrediction, SETI@home, World Community Grid programs, etc. You can set them to use as little or as much CPU power as you want, and your results will benefit all mankind!

]]> By: Gerry -Refurbished laptops http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/comment-page-1/#comment-24730 Gerry -Refurbished laptops Tue, 19 May 2009 03:34:22 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/#comment-24730 One of the failure modes of electronic components and circuit boards is due to thermal cycling or going from hot to cold to hot. When a computer is left on all the time the failures due to thermal cycling are minimized. Fot this reason and some of the others listed in these posts I leave my computer powered up. One of the failure modes of electronic components and circuit boards is due to thermal cycling or going from hot to cold to hot. When a computer is left on all the time the failures due to thermal cycling are minimized. Fot this reason and some of the others listed in these posts I leave my computer powered up.

]]> By: Carlito Castillo http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/comment-page-1/#comment-23491 Carlito Castillo Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:54:24 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/#comment-23491 A Desktop can be left turned on 24/7 but a laptop is not recommended due to possible overheating. I have a clients that has experienced overheating and motherboard going bad by leaving their laptops turned on 24/7. However, since you won't be using it 24/7, keeping it running might just be a waste of electricity. So why not power it down when you're not using it? Hope this helps. A Desktop can be left turned on 24/7 but a laptop is not recommended due to possible overheating. I have a clients that has experienced overheating and motherboard going bad by leaving their laptops turned on 24/7. However, since you won’t be using it 24/7, keeping it running might just be a waste of electricity. So why not power it down when you’re not using it? Hope this helps.

]]> By: Rick http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/comment-page-1/#comment-23099 Rick Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:49:50 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/#comment-23099 I'm 59 and new at this copmuting stuff but i'd like to know if I turn off my laptop will my anti-virus run on schedule at 1am? I’m 59 and new at this copmuting stuff but i’d like to know if I turn off my laptop will my anti-virus run on schedule at 1am?

]]> By: hydraulic floor jacks http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/comment-page-1/#comment-21997 hydraulic floor jacks Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:16:30 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/#comment-21997 This is the first time I commented here and I must say you provide us genuine, and quality information for bloggers! Great job. p.s. You have an awesome template . Where did you find it? This is the first time I commented here and I must say you provide us genuine, and quality information for bloggers! Great job.
p.s. You have an awesome template . Where did you find it?

]]> By: Clint http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/comment-page-1/#comment-21696 Clint Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:13:28 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/#comment-21696 After getting an email informing me there was a new post to this thread I read it again and have decided to make a longer post. I own a computer repair business so run into this issue a lot with people. We work on name brand computers as well as build custom boxes. It never fails to amaze me when people think leaving a mechanical/electrical device on all the time is good for it. 1. "Continually rotating parts in a computer are fans and hard drives (on the inside), and the most “grunt” needed is when they spin up from an absolute stop. When spinning they don’t have to work as hard." and "It’s a good bet if you’ve ever seen a hard drive failure, it probably happened from a “cold” start, then the infamous “disk not found” message appeared." While this is true most people do not start their computers up very many times a day. In my experience "disk not found" is as likely to happen on a reboot as it is on a cold boot. 2. "Fans accumulate dust whether you want them to or not. This adds weight to the fan blades and can also dry out the bearing(s). If the fans stay spinning they will continue to do so almost indefinitely. However if they’re old and clogged up with dirt (including the dirt you can’t see or clean out), one day they simply won’t spin up from a cold start at all." Fans accumulate dust because they are used. The more you have them on the most dust builds up on them and the more dust the pull into the computer through vents and cracks. Combat this with filters and blow the dust out of the case once in a while. Pretty much the only thing I can agree with in this article is that optical drives don't spin while the computer is on unless they are being used. Otherwise ... the primary reason all mechanical and electrical parts wear out is because they are used. So the more they are on the more wear and tear they get and the sooner they break. I have seen many identical machines where the only difference between them is how much they are left on. The computers that are turned off at night when they are not needed to perform a task always out last the ones left on all the time. If you really disagree try this. Buy or build two identical computers. Run one of them all the time and the other in the manor I suggest. When you replace the constantly left on computer you will change your mind. Or ... do it with two radios or TV's or two small desk fans ... or anything you can afford to replace. Heck .. try it with two cars. Moving parts break because they have been moving. Electronic parts break because they have had electrons running through them. After getting an email informing me there was a new post to this thread I read it again and have decided to make a longer post.

I own a computer repair business so run into this issue a lot with people. We work on name brand computers as well as build custom boxes. It never fails to amaze me when people think leaving a mechanical/electrical device on all the time is good for it.

1. “Continually rotating parts in a computer are fans and hard drives (on the inside), and the most “grunt” needed is when they spin up from an absolute stop. When spinning they don’t have to work as hard.” and “It’s a good bet if you’ve ever seen a hard drive failure, it probably happened from a “cold” start, then the infamous “disk not found” message appeared.”

While this is true most people do not start their computers up very many times a day. In my experience “disk not found” is as likely to happen on a reboot as it is on a cold boot.

2. “Fans accumulate dust whether you want them to or not. This adds weight to the fan blades and can also dry out the bearing(s). If the fans stay spinning they will continue to do so almost indefinitely. However if they’re old and clogged up with dirt (including the dirt you can’t see or clean out), one day they simply won’t spin up from a cold start at all.”

Fans accumulate dust because they are used. The more you have them on the most dust builds up on them and the more dust the pull into the computer through vents and cracks. Combat this with filters and blow the dust out of the case once in a while.

Pretty much the only thing I can agree with in this article is that optical drives don’t spin while the computer is on unless they are being used. Otherwise … the primary reason all mechanical and electrical parts wear out is because they are used. So the more they are on the more wear and tear they get and the sooner they break. I have seen many identical machines where the only difference between them is how much they are left on. The computers that are turned off at night when they are not needed to perform a task always out last the ones left on all the time.

If you really disagree try this. Buy or build two identical computers. Run one of them all the time and the other in the manor I suggest. When you replace the constantly left on computer you will change your mind.

Or … do it with two radios or TV’s or two small desk fans … or anything you can afford to replace. Heck .. try it with two cars. Moving parts break because they have been moving. Electronic parts break because they have had electrons running through them.

]]> By: Matt - Make Money Online http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/comment-page-1/#comment-21656 Matt - Make Money Online Mon, 09 Mar 2009 03:22:04 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/#comment-21656 I use a macbook pro laptop and while I don't leave it turned on all the time, often I need to as it is running different applications, batches and downloads. One thing I can say is that I probably only need to reboot it every 3-4 weeks, as I just put it into stand-by all the time. I never have significant problems at all by doing this either. I use a macbook pro laptop and while I don’t leave it turned on all the time, often I need to as it is running different applications, batches and downloads.

One thing I can say is that I probably only need to reboot it every 3-4 weeks, as I just put it into stand-by all the time. I never have significant problems at all by doing this either.

]]> By: Clint http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/comment-page-1/#comment-20999 Clint Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:55:54 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/is-it-safe-to-leave-a-computer-on-all-the-time/#comment-20999 If you want your computer to last longer read up on Metal Migration / Electromigration. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_migration If you want your computer to last longer read up on Metal Migration / Electromigration.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_migration

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