2006-07-13 21:30:50 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
Originally posted April 23, 1998 from Puter Tutor
Screen savers look cool, but they aren't necessary
Reader questions fill today's column.
Q. Do I need to have a screen saver on my computer to keep from damaging my monitor?
A. No. In the good old days of monochrome (one-color) monitors, it was important to vary the images on the screen to prevent "burn-in." That's what happens when an image has been on the screen so long it is literally burned in to the coating inside the screen. Look at an old ATM screen for an example.
Some early color monitors had the same problem. But today's monitors don't suffer burn-in, so there's no need for a screen saver, unless you just want to be hip.
When I leave my desk, I leave the computer running but turn off the monitor to save energy.
Hope this explains it well. My understanding is the refresh rate (how often the signal is sent to the monitor) is much faster than it used to be. Even old televisions used to have burn-in.
2006-07-13 21:36:09 · answer #1 · answered by Bear 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not necessary but as it says it saves the screen, If you are old enough to remember those first tennis games (Ping Pong) they always put the bats and balls on the same part of the screen on a regular basis (the bats were on the base line) This caused burning on the inside of the screen which reduced it's quality over time. Although modern computers are more efficient this still happens, so a screen saver tries to use all the screen to avoid this burning affect.
2006-07-13 21:36:38 · answer #2 · answered by BackMan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. if you got a LCD screen.
yes. if you got a CRT screen (tube / where the back sticks out alot) but if you have Windows have the monitor shut off at your given time after being idle for a while, then you don't need it.
screen savers are used to protect the screen from being "burn in". if an image is on the CRT screen for many hours without a screen saver, it will kinda stay there forever. so if you then change the image, you will still kinda see the old image thru it.
2006-07-13 21:49:06 · answer #3 · answered by slade2605 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they somewhat desire extend the life and difficulty of your computer screen. that is not as plenty a controversy because it was, yet you do no longer want a picture "burning" into the reveal. IT nonetheless can take place, even in spite of the indisputable fact that it takes plenty plenty longer than it ever did in the previous. yet be warned, in case you get an fairly comlexing reveal saver, like a number of nVidia's or ATI's that take use of youyre vid card, the vid card can get somewhat warm and decrease the life of them, yet no longer sufficient to realy hassle plenty approximately. you will in all probability have a thoroughly new pc in the previous it made a distinction. I say, use them or only turn off the monitopr itself whilst your no longer using it (you're able to make it do this immediately too)
2016-12-10 06:36:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is if you are using a CRT.
if its an LCD, then using a screensaver might save the monitor life but its not necessary for the same reasons as it was for a crt in the dos times. even a blank screen will do in both cases
2006-07-13 21:34:55 · answer #5 · answered by shashank.chintalagiri 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not necessary if your monitor turns itself off.
Use this screen-saver to contribute your computers idle time to scientific research.
http://boinc.berkeley.edu/
2006-07-13 21:37:31 · answer #6 · answered by Perry L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES
I have a 17" flat panel display, and for ages i was using a screensaver but leaving the inactivaty time to around a high 5 minutes. i now how mild burn in on some parts of my screen.
this burn in is now slowly fading as i have sice re set my screensaver rate to about one or two minutes of inactivity before it starts.
the choice is yours do you want a screen saver or can you put up with burn in on your monitor?
2006-07-13 21:35:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The earlier breed of monitors would develop a permanent patch, when any area would be sunjected to hing intensity of radiation, which was equivalent to a bright picture on your monitor. The new breed has rectified this problem, but who can resist a beatiful theme running on his or her screen
2006-07-13 21:41:54 · answer #8 · answered by mkaamsel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Screen savers use up memory and RAM. If you have plenty of RAM, use it otherwise disable it. Using inspite of low RAM will slow down your PC
2006-07-13 21:57:00 · answer #9 · answered by sunilbernard 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are the wackest person on earth if u have a computer but don't have a screen saver lol it shows anyway
2006-07-18 18:12:46 · answer #10 · answered by qnzlilmami018 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋