2006-11-15 08:45:20 · 11 answers · asked by garcia 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
I recommend leaving it on, provided--
- If you are connected to the internet full time, you have good up-to-date security software (firewall (software and on router), anitvirus, and spyware. As added security, when not running scheduled updates over internet, many modems have an off switch; turn it off when not actively using the internet.
- If you have an UPS. While lightening over lines connected to the computer can destroy parts of it, a good surge protector works wonders--most of the time. The UPS also answers the problem of low voltage spikes. When the voltage drops and comes back up, without a UPS, your computer starts to turn off. When the voltage kicks back in, the drive restarts after slowing which is hard on the drive.
2006-11-15 09:20:02 · answer #1 · answered by michaelroder 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of PCs have been running for years. Most office computers never get turned off because they get backed up at night. If you're not living in a sqeaky clean house, I'd turn it off just to keep the dust inside down. Most power supply fans run all the time and you'd be drawing dust in 24 hours a day instead of four.
You would need a UPS for power line protection. Shutting down modern PCs doesn't really turn them off. The power supply is still supplying power to the cmos and clock and power button.
Turning a PC on and off doesn't really hurt it. The halfwit who said the heat wears the board out doesn't know what he's talking about. The amount of heat your computer generates varies a lot more while you're using it than when you're starting it up.
2006-11-15 10:59:45 · answer #2 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two sides to this issue,
Turning any machine off and on causes stress even on non moving parts. This stress can cause damage.
On the other hand if the machine is unused for along period of time turning it off reduces angry expenditures and saves the environment. Some components in computers are rated by a measurement called MTBF Mean Time Between Failure ... this usually refers to operating (on) time. The longer something is on the more likly that it is going to fail.
One difficulty with PC's is they usually do not operate in ideal conditions, Dust is allowed to build up on internal components, People opt for open window air conditioning and resulting humidity fluctuations. Even if a PC is designed of continuous operation peoples homes are rarely clean rooms in the electronic sense ... environmental induced failures are common. Not just power surges but heat build up due to dust and or a damaged fan and or too close to a wall etc.
2006-11-15 09:17:15 · answer #3 · answered by AvramF 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an electronics technician, my personal beliefs thru experience are to leave your PC on all of the time. My reasoning is based upon knowing that turning Your system on and off creates expansion and contraction of the circuit boards and components. This can lead to cracked or broken solder joints and quicker component failure! One more common myth is you should shut down your system in an electrical storm! BS! A direct hit from a lightning bolt through your house wiring, telephone line, cable system etc. will still pass through your equipment! If you are seriously afraid of this, you would need to unplug every cord on your PC that is connected to an outside circuit! Surge current doesnt give 2 hoots in H whether your equipement is on or off! It WILL fry it!
2006-11-15 08:49:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it is not bad to leave you system on all the time. I have had mine up for almost a year, and only turned it off due to a storm. It is connected to the net 24/7 and I have a firewall and have updated antivirus.
2006-11-15 08:48:37 · answer #5 · answered by voidtillnow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong with leaving your PC on all the time. but it is good to restart it once in awhile. and with that I mean at lease once everyother day if you use it all the time.
It is better to leave it on all the time so your Anti-virus, Anit-spam, and anyother program you may have like that can run while you sleep.
2006-11-15 08:49:37 · answer #6 · answered by Project X 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes especially if there's no proper ventilation. Since it is composed of different parts that uses dc current, it is still prone to cases such as overheating.depending on the purpose, it should be shutdown and restarted once in a while and get proper maintenance when needed.
2006-11-15 12:38:37 · answer #7 · answered by blurredfringe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it's bad
with time your hdd-s will work slower, the power supply will get hotter, the monitor will lose colors etc
almost everything will age and eventually worsen or fail....
2006-11-15 08:52:23 · answer #8 · answered by ╠╬╣ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i read that they should be left on 24/7
2006-11-15 08:48:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personialy I think it is, but I know ppl who have done it for months and no problems.
2006-11-15 10:48:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋