Do you turn off your pc every night ?

mimo2005 · 10-02-2005, 06:30 PM

Some people turn off their pc every night to save some energy , but is it a good idea ?

http://www.pcguide.com/care/care/gen/powerOnOff-c.html

**Fox** · 10-02-2005, 06:43 PM

I've never seen a computer die upon booting because of something like this...

To put it in perspective, how long would it take for a system to wear out like this? Probably longer than its useful life...

**Resolution** · 10-02-2005, 06:44 PM

If you ask me, that kind of defeats the purpose of an "always on" connection. I usually just turn my monitor off.

Volt-Schwibe · 10-02-2005, 06:53 PM

i turn mine off any time i am not going to be there to babysit it.

one time, i came home, and my pc had been on all day, and the hard drive was making terrible grinding noises.

i'm not sure, but i think a few power interruptions did it.

another time, i woke up, and my pc was frozen, and so i tried to reboot it and nothing.

i opened it up, and the heat sink fan had stopped in the middle of the night. it was totally dead after that.

and then, on the other side of the story, i had my computer off, and i left for the day, and i came home at night, and my computer was on the floor, it had fallen off the desk, knocked off by my dog apparently...

picked it back up, turned it on, and it was fine.

so i dunno, i treat it like a light bulb i guess. if i am going to be in and out all day, i leave it on, where as if i am leaving for any amount of time, i turn it off.

but i would leave it on 100% of the time if i was always there to babysit it.

**Fox** · 10-02-2005, 06:58 PM

Assuming you use a computer which draws, on average, 150 watts- which is maybe on the higher side especially if the monitor is off- it'll really only cost about 5 bucks.

**LoneWolf071** · 10-02-2005, 09:00 PM

I Prefer To Turn It Off... When I Get The Fresh Boot-up in the morning, it seems a lot faster and all... also, your processor usually get's about 10,000 before it begins to go... so says Intel And AMD Manuals, So leaving it on will make that life shorter...

yustr · 10-02-2005, 09:22 PM

I turn mine off every night. I remember when that was the only sure way to reset the memory...Old habits die hard.

And, no computer has ever been infected when its off.

**40sondacurb** · 10-02-2005, 09:24 PM

windows just needs to set it's standards a little lower, the PC can't keep up with the OS for too long it starts acting funny.

but I usually just turn off the monitor on mine.

Tumbleweed36 · 10-02-2005, 09:56 PM

Hi,

I do turn mine off every night for obvious reasons. One time about seven years ago, I had a brand new computer in my office with a new monitor, new printer, fax machine, etc., the works. I always left it on all day, but turned it off at night, although I was advised by my tech department that it was not necessary.

I had to be gone to a meeting for about an hour two one morning and left it on as usual. This day, I had some sensitive items on my desk, so I shut my office door when I left so no one would enter my office. When I returned, my executive secretary who had an adjoining office (and controlled access to my office in my absence) said that it smelled like something was hot during the past few minutes. She said that her intention was to check, but since I had come back, I might want to check.

Long story short, when I went into my office there was smoke everywhere and it was coming from my new monitor. A small flame was coming out the back of the monitor. and it was now on fire. I jerked the plugs off (those clamp connectors), picked the monitor up and threw the thing out my door (my office had an outside door so I could leave without going through the office if I so chose to do that) and the fire department did the rest for me. Smoke everywhere and we caught it before the flames destroyed the office and everything in there.

Office did not burn, no one got hurt, but learned a valuable lesson about not leaving things like computers on unattended. I just would not leave home or leave it on overnight without turning it off.

mimo2005 · 10-02-2005, 10:04 PM

i never turn off the cpu unless there is a microsoft update that ask me to reboot the pc , but after reading Tumbleweed story ,i guess i need to buy one of this :

by the way did you have the surge protector ?

**Resolution** · 10-02-2005, 10:12 PM

Some people will tell you that surge protectors are useless also. I just don't know what to believe anymore.

Tumbleweed36 · 10-02-2005, 10:13 PM

Hi,

Yep, sure did have a new surge protector also. Just had gotten the whole new setup for my new private office. The setup included new desk, new lateral filing cabinets, new computer, new monitor, new printer, new fax machine, new copy machine, new office refrigerator, the real deal and talking big bucks on this setup. The computer was set up by our corporation techs a few days previously with a nice new surge protector. I had run it a few days before the incident.

Scared the heck out of me!

**JeremyC** · 10-03-2005, 01:28 AM

I just turn the monitor off. i run a program called Folding@Home late night along with bittorrent. Helping the medical community while getting my favorite anime aint half bad.

~~whodat~~ · 10-03-2005, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Assuming you use a computer which draws, on average, 150 watts- which is maybe on the higher side especially if the monitor is off- it'll really only cost about 5 bucks.

over what time span fox?

crazijoe · 10-03-2005, 06:47 AM

I have a server, my wifes computer and my computer running 24/7. Been running this way for 6 years, never had a problem. I like to be able to just sitdown and start working without having to wait for the computer to boot up. Much the same reason I went with cable internet (besides the speed).
Instead of surge protectors I step it up a notch and use UPS's.

**mgoldb2** · 10-03-2005, 07:32 AM

My computer only get restarted if I install something that require it.

My computer been on at this momment for 3 stright weeks since last reboot. It still running as fast as ever. I been leaving my computer on at night for 6 years now and never had a problem. Back in the pre nt base windows I reseted much more often for performance reasons. With windows XP I dont notice a differenct between just restarting and having it on for 4 weeks stright. I keep taking my chances leaving it on. I like waking up in the morning shower, brush my teath, check email and get to class with the checking the email part taking less then a min unless I choose to read a long email.

**toxict3arz** · 10-03-2005, 08:12 AM

my computer is rarely shut off

:P

**Fox** · 10-03-2005, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whosdat

over what time span fox?

Oh, sorry... this would be if you left it on for thirty days.

**Resolution** · 10-03-2005, 11:14 AM

A lot of computer geeks online care about uptime, so rebooting or leaving the computer off is out of the question. Some people like to see how long their systems can stay up without having to resort to a restart.

~~whodat~~ · 10-03-2005, 11:19 AM

lipa is hitting us with an 18% increase in electric rates due to a surcharge .

10-02-2005, 06:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
mimo2005 Manager, Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 11,142 OS: xp	Do you turn off your pc every night ? Some people turn off their pc every night to save some energy , but is it a good idea ? http://www.pcguide.com/care/care/gen/powerOnOff-c.html __________________ TSF has outgrown its server, again. Please help "Gutta cavat lapidem, non vi sed saepe cadendo"

10-02-2005, 06:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	I've never seen a computer die upon booting because of something like this... To put it in perspective, how long would it take for a system to wear out like this? Probably longer than its useful life... __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

10-02-2005, 06:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,372 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	i turn mine off any time i am not going to be there to babysit it. one time, i came home, and my pc had been on all day, and the hard drive was making terrible grinding noises. i'm not sure, but i think a few power interruptions did it. another time, i woke up, and my pc was frozen, and so i tried to reboot it and nothing. i opened it up, and the heat sink fan had stopped in the middle of the night. it was totally dead after that. and then, on the other side of the story, i had my computer off, and i left for the day, and i came home at night, and my computer was on the floor, it had fallen off the desk, knocked off by my dog apparently... picked it back up, turned it on, and it was fine. so i dunno, i treat it like a light bulb i guess. if i am going to be in and out all day, i leave it on, where as if i am leaving for any amount of time, i turn it off. but i would leave it on 100% of the time if i was always there to babysit it. __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>

10-02-2005, 06:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Assuming you use a computer which draws, on average, 150 watts- which is maybe on the higher side especially if the monitor is off- it'll really only cost about 5 bucks. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

10-02-2005, 09:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
LoneWolf071 Be Free Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 840 OS: Windows XP, Linux	I Prefer To Turn It Off... When I Get The Fresh Boot-up in the morning, it seems a lot faster and all... also, your processor usually get's about 10,000 before it begins to go... so says Intel And AMD Manuals, So leaving it on will make that life shorter... __________________ Suicide Command in Linux : rm -rf / ;) AIM:TheLoneWolf071@aim.com--If You Need Help, Don't Hesitate...

10-02-2005, 06:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Resolution TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,091 OS: FreeBSD/Win98/2000/XP	If you ask me, that kind of defeats the purpose of an "always on" connection. I usually just turn my monitor off.

10-02-2005, 09:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore Posts: 6,050 OS: XP Pro My System	I turn mine off every night. I remember when that was the only sure way to reset the memory...Old habits die hard. And, no computer has ever been infected when its off. __________________ If there are lawyers or politicians involved, logic may be a very poor tool for reaching a conclusion.

10-02-2005, 09:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
40sondacurb Don't be a menace Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,285 OS: Vista sp2	windows just needs to set it's standards a little lower, the PC can't keep up with the OS for too long it starts acting funny. but I usually just turn off the monitor on mine.

10-02-2005, 09:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,661 OS: XP Professional	Hi, I do turn mine off every night for obvious reasons. One time about seven years ago, I had a brand new computer in my office with a new monitor, new printer, fax machine, etc., the works. I always left it on all day, but turned it off at night, although I was advised by my tech department that it was not necessary. I had to be gone to a meeting for about an hour two one morning and left it on as usual. This day, I had some sensitive items on my desk, so I shut my office door when I left so no one would enter my office. When I returned, my executive secretary who had an adjoining office (and controlled access to my office in my absence) said that it smelled like something was hot during the past few minutes. She said that her intention was to check, but since I had come back, I might want to check. Long story short, when I went into my office there was smoke everywhere and it was coming from my new monitor. A small flame was coming out the back of the monitor. and it was now on fire. I jerked the plugs off (those clamp connectors), picked the monitor up and threw the thing out my door (my office had an outside door so I could leave without going through the office if I so chose to do that) and the fire department did the rest for me. Smoke everywhere and we caught it before the flames destroyed the office and everything in there. Office did not burn, no one got hurt, but learned a valuable lesson about not leaving things like computers on unattended. I just would not leave home or leave it on overnight without turning it off. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

10-02-2005, 10:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
mimo2005 Manager, Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 11,142 OS: xp	i never turn off the cpu unless there is a microsoft update that ask me to reboot the pc , but after reading Tumbleweed story ,i guess i need to buy one of this : by the way did you have the surge protector ? __________________ TSF has outgrown its server, again. Please help "Gutta cavat lapidem, non vi sed saepe cadendo"

10-02-2005, 10:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
Resolution TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,091 OS: FreeBSD/Win98/2000/XP	Some people will tell you that surge protectors are useless also. I just don't know what to believe anymore.

10-02-2005, 10:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,661 OS: XP Professional	Hi, Yep, sure did have a new surge protector also. Just had gotten the whole new setup for my new private office. The setup included new desk, new lateral filing cabinets, new computer, new monitor, new printer, new fax machine, new copy machine, new office refrigerator, the real deal and talking big bucks on this setup. The computer was set up by our corporation techs a few days previously with a nice new surge protector. I had run it a few days before the incident. Scared the heck out of me! __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

10-03-2005, 01:28 AM	#13 (permalink)
JeremyC Resident Alchemist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,148 OS: SuSE 10.0/XP Pro	I just turn the monitor off. i run a program called Folding@Home late night along with bittorrent. Helping the medical community while getting my favorite anime aint half bad. __________________

10-03-2005, 06:47 AM	#15 (permalink)
crazijoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha, The Center of the Universe Posts: 7,632 OS: WinXP, Win2K3 My System	I have a server, my wifes computer and my computer running 24/7. Been running this way for 6 years, never had a problem. I like to be able to just sitdown and start working without having to wait for the computer to boot up. Much the same reason I went with cable internet (besides the speed). Instead of surge protectors I step it up a notch and use UPS's. __________________ Microsoft MCSA + Messaging, MVP, A+, Network+ http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...other/Help.jpg Do you want a real Republican? HDD diagnostic tools / HDD data recovery software

10-03-2005, 07:32 AM	#16 (permalink)
mgoldb2 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 604 OS: windows xp	My computer only get restarted if I install something that require it. My computer been on at this momment for 3 stright weeks since last reboot. It still running as fast as ever. I been leaving my computer on at night for 6 years now and never had a problem. Back in the pre nt base windows I reseted much more often for performance reasons. With windows XP I dont notice a differenct between just restarting and having it on for 4 weeks stright. I keep taking my chances leaving it on. I like waking up in the morning shower, brush my teath, check email and get to class with the checking the email part taking less then a min unless I choose to read a long email. __________________

10-03-2005, 08:12 AM	#17 (permalink)
toxict3arz TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,283 OS: windows XP Pro	my computer is rarely shut off :P

10-03-2005, 11:14 AM	#19 (permalink)
Resolution TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,091 OS: FreeBSD/Win98/2000/XP	A lot of computer geeks online care about uptime, so rebooting or leaving the computer off is out of the question. Some people like to see how long their systems can stay up without having to resort to a restart.

10-03-2005, 11:19 AM	#20 (permalink)
~~whodat~~ Register user Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 5,931 OS: XP	lipa is hitting us with an 18% increase in electric rates due to a surcharge .