Having to boot up three times a day!

[rrickerfor]

Because of unpredictable weather, I often find it necessary to shut down my system two or three times a day. I have read various comments -- pro and con -- on the reported stress this allegedly places on your system when booting back up. Do those reading this have any thoughts/experience relative to the impact of this re-booting two or three times a day on your computer?

Ron

[Andrewxcav]

what sort of weather? lightning?

I doubt that it would cause any noticeable problems, besides rebooting is good on older Microsoft OS's as they have terrible memory management and need to have a fresh canvas every so often

[SARGE]

Originally posted by rrickerfor Do those reading this have any thoughts/experience relative to the impact of this re-booting two or three times a day on your computer? Ron

A source of countless arguments around this house for years. She turns it off after using it, AND uses it maybe 20 times a day. Drives me nuts when someone knows they'll be turning it back on in 10-15 minutes anyway.

To answer the question though, most folks leave their pc on all day and some even 24/7. To me, the constant heating/cooling of the components has to be a negative but most differ. Simply rebooting doesn't involve the heat/cool down. I'm rambling again...

[Nuclear Krusader]

The constant turning off and on wears off the hard drives prematurely.

[mike breck]

I personally wouldn't worry about it.

Better to protect the PC from an imminent power spike or EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) pulse, than worry about "possible" latent damage which "may" cause problems in the distant future.

Just do what you've got to do and don't worry about it.

[Confused]

If you are having to do this because of weather, then you should be looking at a quality UPS if you don't have one in my opinion.
Chas

[rrickerfor]

Thanks guys. Yes, bad weather obligates me to turn off the computer when the lightning starts up. For some reason the power in this area goes out more than, I think, it should. I probably could use a good UPS. But would need one that will shut system down after a certain time, since I am away from the house quite often for a couple of hours. Priced one recently and found it to be a bit high. I was just interested in hearing from you all as to how much, I might be damaging my computer. I am well aware of the controversey concerning 24/7 vs. turning off at night. My concern was turning off during the day a couple of times. In any event, I appreciate all of your thoughtful responses.

Thanks,
Ron

[Force Flow]

You may want to look into getting a backup battery. I don't know how much they are, though.

I usually leave my comp on most of the day and shut it down at night and when I know I'll be away from it for a few hours.

[Redo40]

Originally posted by rrickerfor Thanks guys. Yes, bad weather obligates me to turn off the computer when the lightning starts up. For some reason the power in this area goes out more than, I think, it should. I probably could use a good UPS. But would need one that will shut system down after a certain time, since I am away from the house quite often for a couple of hours. Priced one recently and found it to be a bit high. I was just interested in hearing from you all as to how much, I might be damaging my computer. I am well aware of the controversey concerning 24/7 vs. turning off at night. My concern was turning off during the day a couple of times. In any event, I appreciate all of your thoughtful responses. Thanks, Ron

I realize the UPS is high, but in your case it would really be worth it. Just my opinion, but shutting down and restarting several times a day puts unnecessary work on the computer, maybe not enough to hurt it long term (that's still being debated).

[rrickerfor]

Thanks guys. All excellent comments.

Ron

[Andrewxcav]

im guessting that you live in tornado alley, or near it, not alot of trees, they have slar systems that charge a battery, they save you money on energy, and you dont rely on the municipality for power, as you generate your own(jsut for hte ocmputer, kit about 300 bucks)

[KHT]

I`ve yet to see a negative to either side of the fence systemwise for either leaving it on or turning it off.

One thing I can say though is that one running 24\7 (as mine does) sure sucks a godawful amount of dust in the cooling fan intakes. Every so often it might be a good idea to open the case and blow it out.

[rrickerfor]

Great suggestions from everyone. Thanks. KHT, like you, I can appreciate arguments on both sides relative to the 24/7 question. My concern was more on the impact on the computer per se of having to boot up and shut down, two or three times a day because of bad weather power failures. Dell techs tell me: No problem. Newer computers can handle this with impunity. I was just trying to get some input from others.

Thanks,
Ron

[flanzig1]

rrickerfor: If you are using a modem for internet access, you will want to protect the phone line also. I had two modems fried last summer during storms before I got a surge protector for the phone line.

[rrickerfor]

Thanks, Flanzig. I have a cable modem. And, yes, I have it and system covered by surge protectors, just in case I get caught before I can disconnect system and cable modem.

Ron

[Eaglefeather]

Staples, (Office Depot) has a battery back up system with an automatic save and shut down feature for under $70. Canadian. (That would be around $30. to $35. US.) We purchased three, one for each of our PC's because we live in an area with an ancient powergrid that is constantly sending surges and also shutting down. (Lost two modems to the surges. Own fault, had cheap-o surge protectors.)

The power backup systems have been connected for just over 10 months now and do a great job. When there is a power outage the unit beeps to give us warning. If we don't do anything within two minutes it automatically saves any unsaved work, closes down open programs, then shuts down our PC's properly.

It also has a built in surge protector for both your PC electrical components and for the phone lines.

They have provem to be well worth the money we spent on them.

[rrickerfor]

Thanks, Eaglefeather. That sounds great. Will check into this.

Ron