When you're finished using your computer is it best to log off, shut down, restart or just walk away?

Question

Windows 95 operating system. I usually restart, thinking it might clean up temp files and make the computer ready for the next person. Three people use our computer at home. Am I right? Does restarting do anything compared with simply logging off?

Answer 1

Contrary to one of the previous answers, computers do not "need sleep." They are electronic machines and don't require being turned off in order to work well. Think - how does Yahoo Answers stay online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Simple, the servers that host the site are never shut off, proving that no such "sleep" requirement is necessary.

Windows 95 is an interesting situation since it has a large number of flaws that have been fixed with newer versions. One such flaw is that it has a spontaneous memory error after being on continuously for 42+ days. It's a proven characteristic, and gave Microsoft quite the black eye for a while. In my opinion, I would shut off the computer, but not for the reasons others have mentioned. Primarily - a powered on computer wastes energy. With electrical costs already very high, every little bit saved helps the environment and your wallet.

On the flip side, starting a computer from being powered-off is hard on the hardware. Things heat up and cool down during the cycle, causing pieces to expand and contract tiny amounts, which can spell disaster for older systems. This usually isn't much of a problem, but it is much more rare for an "always on" system to experience a failure than for one that is constantly being turned off and then back on every day.

Perhaps the best option would be to get a new computer that is more tolerant to power cycles... then you can turn it off without worrying about whether or not it will come back up the next time you turn the switch back on.

Answer 2

Restart do not clean away the temp file. You need to erase it.

Shut down or log off - if you will not be using it again, log off completely save you electricity.
Standby - when you know you will be coming to use it shortly (restart your computer takes time)
Walk away - not recommended unless you are the only person there in that room. For people may read, erase or do amendment to your work.

You can create individual accounts for different user at home at the Control Panel. This way, you will get your own privacy.

Answer 3

I usually have to restart anyway because Yahoo causes errors..
( LOL who knew??)
But as a rule, I don't shut her down unless I will not be using the computer for a day, or there is a storm coming. In that case, I shut down, unplug, and make sure the cord is at least 4 feet away from the wall in case of a power surge. It can jump that far!!
Other than that, I leave it on, because it uses less energy than turning it off and on over and over. I also defrag at least once a month.
Hope this helps.

Answer 4

You are getting quite a mix of info. In reality, it depends upon how much you use the machine, computer. The more frequently you use it, the less frequently you want to turn it off and on because of the wear. The less you use it, then the more you will want to turn it off because of the power consumption. You'll have to judge where the priorities are. By the way, the piece of hardware most effected is the hard-drive followed by other pieces which spin such as CD-drives and floppy drives. If it moves, it wears. If it moves fast, it wears fast.
If you decide to leave the computer on due to usage, re-starting is usually better than simply logging off. It does allow some "clean-up" of page files and the RAM can be re-set. It is kind of like a set all variables to zero in a piece of software.

Answer 5

There is no need to shut down or restart your computer when you are done with it. Computers, unlike people do not need to sleep. Temp files are not deleted when you shut down and restart your computer. They are typically put into folders and can only be deleted when you want to do so.

Shutting down your computer doesn't really save a lot of electricity either because when not in use, the monitor goes to 'sleep' and very little electricity is being used.

Answer 6

Logging off if fine when you are done. It does make things better for the other people. But, it is a good idea to shutdown every night. Not only does this save energy, but it also does that total memory refresh that is needed. Shutting down three times a day i putting too much wear and tear on your computer. Shutting down is one of the worst things you can do to a computer.

Answer 7

Shut it down and turn it off, if for no other reason than to save a little electricity. Clean out temp files every day by going to Tools > Internet Options > Delete Files/Delete Cookies. And seriously - try to upgrade as soon as you're able. This operating system is WAY out of date.

Answer 8

I put mine into standby mode usually overnight unless it's doing something. I rarely cut it off and only restart it like once a week. Every time you restart the computer it adds wear and tear to the parts. It's better to keep it on. Same premise as a diesel truck that you always see on the side of the road or wherever, they always leave the engine running because it does less damage than turning it off and back on does.

Answer 9

To clean up temp files, go to Control Panel, Internet Options, Internet Properties, General Tab, delete cookies, files, and clear history.

Then, for the green good, don't just shut down -- unplug.

Obviously, if this is a public or work computer, just shut down.

Answer 10

I shut it down and turn it off. If I'm on-line and need to get up to go to the store, I definitely log off the Internet but not turn off the PC. When I return I restart.