Computer Questions

[sonny10305]

I have a lot of respect for the many JUBs who have so much computer knowledge, so when I thought about getting some really smart advice about computers I knew this was the place to go.
I have always been a Fly-by-the-seat of my pants kind of guy when it comes to computers, and have wondered about a couple of things.

1. Is it the right thing to do in turning my computer completely off when I am not going to be using it for several hours or overnight, or what do you recommend?
2. I usually turn my monitor off during the time I am using the computer on and off during the day, is that wise or is a screen saver a better way to go.
I should mention I use a Windows Vista premium operating system, in case that has anything to do with the answers to my questions.

I would appreciate any help with what are probably dumb questions but I have always wondered what is right in these matters.

Many Thanks

 

[gabriel1]

You're going to get answers from both sides.

but I 1- leave mine on 24/7. I turn it off once a month or every couple of months for a canned air cleaning (when I take the side off) but that's it.
2- I let windows turn off my monitor after about 45 minutes of inactivity, screen saver (which isn't really needed nowadays) kicks in after 10 minutes of inactivity.
(The screensaver was begun on early computers because if left as is, the image sitting on the screen the most (IE C: prompt) would get "burned" into the screen, therefore you would always see a faint image of it.)

 

[sonny10305]

You're going to get answers from both sides.

but I 1- leave mine on 24/7. I turn it off once a month or every couple of months for a canned air cleaning (when I take the side off) but that's it.
2- I let windows turn off my monitor after about 45 minutes of inactivity, screen saver (which isn't really needed nowadays) kicks in after 10 minutes of inactivity.
(The screensaver was begun on early computers because if left as is, the image sitting on the screen the most (IE C: prompt) would get "burned" into the screen, therefore you would always see a faint image of it.)

Thanks for that.
I never thought about air cleaning the inside, sounds like a good idea.
I wondered if leaving it on 24/7 is a drain on the fan and other working parts left running. But I suppose the machine is designed to handle that.
Also I also felt the constatnt day-to-day start up process was a strain on my hard drive.
Nice of you to respond
Thanks

 

[Kins123]

Yeah, there is no right or wrong answer here. I know people who leave their computer on 24/7 and others who turn their computer off every time they have finished using it and it could get turned on/off 10 times a day (I don't recommend this!). What I do on my Mac:

At night I usually leave it in sleep more which uses VERY little power and gives me an instant startup in the morning. It's also very handy because everything from the night before will still be open. It goes for anything from 3 weeks to a couple of months without being turned off.

I usually leave it on all day and then if I don't use if for a while the display will go in to sleep mode. I don't bother with screensavers.

 

[trawler69]

I do the same as Kins with my mac. With my pc I do it a bit differently. Day to day I usually put it on standby as it takes so long to start up. Once every few days I shut it down because windows has a tendency to "clog up" if you don't restart occasionally and I do use a lot of programs which it also doesn't like too much.

 

[Kins123]

Forgot to mention my PC.

Just as my Mac I leave it on all day but I don't like leaving it on overnight because it's so loud, it's like a jet engine. I also find that it runs better by turning it off each night.

 

[mike_n_herrin]

I have a lot of respect for the many JUBs who have so much computer knowledge, so when I thought about getting some really smart advice about computers I knew this was the place to go.
I have always been a Fly-by-the-seat of my pants kind of guy when it comes to computers, and have wondered about a couple of things.

1. Is it the right thing to do in turning my computer completely off when I am not going to be using it for several hours or overnight, or what do you recommend?
2. I usually turn my monitor off during the time I am using the computer on and off during the day, is that wise or is a screen saver a better way to go.
I should mention I use a Windows Vista premium operating system, in case that has anything to do with the answers to my questions.

I would appreciate any help with what are probably dumb questions but I have always wondered what is right in these matters.

Many Thanks

1. you do the same thing I do. when I'm running to it back and forth throughout the day (work computer) or in the evening (on the home computer). I don't like wasting electricity with a computer being on. most are energy star compliant these days, even a light on your speaker while using only a tiny amount of electricity is obviously still using some. so i turn those things off at night before bed and leave them off until i get home the next day. now if my pc is doing something that's different. if i'm downloading something that takes days, or something like that.

2. I also turn off my monitor when i walk a way from my computer unless i'm going to be back at in a few minutes. i use the power button for the monitor on my power strip thing though and not the power button on the monitor. i've seen power buttons on LCD monitors "break" if you will presumable from being used too much (i have an LCD monitor by the way).

but in the end, as mentioned above you're going to get a lot of answers these days. different tech folks will say different things.

here is a brief...or not so brief discussion of when you wouldn't tend to turn it off and when you should: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question328.htm

 

[ANDORYUU]

I wondered if leaving it on 24/7 is a drain on the fan and other working parts left running. But I suppose the machine is designed to handle that.
Also I also felt the constant day-to-day start up process was a strain on my hard drive.

Whether a computer is on constantly or on / off as needed, all the moving parts will eventually degrade with time. Even the static parts will degrade too, but they may take a little longer.

So rather than looking at it from a materialistic point of view, try looking at it from an environmental view point instead. Degrading the environment affects all life (not just us humans), as we are inseparable from it. No environment = no life! Poor environment = poor life/health! Stable environment = life!

 

[provenlogic]

There is absolutely no disadvantage to turning your computer off when you are not using it, and there is the advantage of saving money on your electric bill. The longer your computer is on, the more chance for physical wear down from the moving parts, esp the Hard Drive. The longer it's in use the shorter it's life is. Is there really that much difference? Depends on how important your data is to you.

You're also going to save power by turning off your monitor, not to mention saving it's lifespan, especially if it's an LCD monitor. If you're going to be away for a while, turn it off, or set your computer to turn it off after being idle for 10 min or so.

The short answer is this, there is NO disadvantage to turning your monitor and PC off when their not in use. And there is the ADVANDAGE of saving money and the environment when not using it by turning them off.

 

[_AJ_]

Forgot to mention my PC.

Just as my Mac I leave it on all day but I don't like leaving it on overnight because it's so loud, it's like a jet engine. I also find that it runs better by turning it off each night.

Why dont you put your pc in Standby i know mine shuts off all the fans and makes no noise at all the only way you know it is on is the power light

 

[thermodynamics]

I boot it up in the morning. If I'm going to be away for a few hours, I shut it off. If I'll be gone for just an hour (one class), I leave it on. I always turn my monitor off though.

Power-wise, shutting the machine down isn't that big of a deal if you've got the Core 2 Duo processor. But something from the Pentium D, or Pentium 4 line creates a ton of heat, so I tend to err on the side of energy savings. While it's true that the hard drive motor doesn't like having to spin up the drive, that problem has largely been fixed today. You'd have to have your hard drive for 10+ years before problems arose.

The average computer of today uses 200-300W. Electricity is about $0.07 per kWh here in the States, meaning your computer uses about $0.02 of electricity per hour. Based on that tidbit, you can decide what you want to do.

 

[sonny10305]

Thanks to all of you for your advice and imput.
I am going to split the difference and turn my machine off only every couple of days. In addition, I am not going to bother with a screen saver.

I knew I could depend on you guys for help and it is very much appreciated.

Joey

 

[provenlogic]

Thanks to all of you for your advice and imput.
I am going to split the difference and turn my machine off only every couple of days. In addition, I am not going to bother with a screen saver.

I knew I could depend on you guys for help and it is very much appreciated.

Joey

There's no reason to leave your computer on when you're not using it. There's no harm either, but there's certainly no reason to leave it on.

 

[gewhite3]

I have heard that it's best to leave it on if you live in a colder climate. This is because of the continual "heating and cooling" process which causes components to expand and contract, shortening the life span. However, I don't think this would be a real issue where I live.....it's always hot here.