I want to keep my PC on through the night to finish downloading some files. But my parents keep on saying that a power shortage might happen and catch the house on fire. Is it safe and is it harmful for the computer if I don't turn it off for a long time?
2006-12-26 14:55:02 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Assuming that no rats have chewed through the insulation around your power cable, your computer is at no greater risk at bursting into flames at night than during the day. Many computers made today are, in fact, designed for continuous, 24/7 use.
If your parents are really worried, you can take steps to make your computer use as little power and resources as possible. To do this, begin downloading your file(s), and exit out all of the programs EXCEPT those needed to download said files, anything that might disable your Internet connection if shut down, and any firewall services that your paranoia of a hacker attack causes you to leave on.
Then, go to your desktop, right click on any open space, and click Properties. Go to the screen savor tab, set your screen savor to "Blank," set it to only 5 minutes or so, and click the "Power..." button. Set your monitor to turn off after 10 or 15 minutes. However, make sure your computer does NOT enter stand by or hibernation mode, as this will disrupt the downloading process. If you are confident that your Internet connection will not stutter and your downloads will finish in X amount of time, then you can set it to enter stand by/hibernate a good amount of time after you think they will finish, effectively turning off your PC when they're done.
Otherwise, your PC isn't at a much greater fire risk than that fish tank filter you leave on all the time.
2006-12-26 15:08:49 · answer #1 · answered by DrkInsanity 3 · 14⤊ 0⤋
It's safe, I've done it many times, it won't harm your computer - actually, turning it off and on harms it, not leaving it on. The reason computers die over time is becuase they get turned off and on (of course, it doesn't make sense to leave it on 24/7/365, it's a waste of electricity)
2006-12-26 14:59:14 · answer #2 · answered by youngest1000 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sleep mode is ok, you wont have any overheating problems, but you may want to shut down for a long time if not using every once in a while to give your hardware a rest
2016-05-23 09:30:10 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The chances of something happening to cause a fire are about zero. But remember computers wear out with use, and by the way it's not BETTER to leave it on all night. Starting or turning off your computer does it no harm. If it's your parents computer I say who cares leave that sucker on...you're not paying that electric bill right?
2006-12-26 19:01:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
It's fine. If you have a laptop then keeping it on all the time will lessen the battery length of it FYI:) nothing will catch on fire or blow up. and if something does happen, sue microsoft:)
2006-12-26 15:02:56 · answer #5 · answered by Starry Eyes 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its perfectly fine for the computer, but mayhap not you, if your parents dislike it. Try looking it up @ the computers website, dell, hp, sony, mac, etc, and show that to your parents.
2006-12-26 15:14:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its actually better for the computer to not turn it off.
Just make sure you have it plugged into a surge protector
2006-12-26 14:57:34 · answer #7 · answered by JoBlo 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
a laptop can easily overheat, but a desktop is entirely ok. It would short out just as soon as your television.
2006-12-26 14:57:56 · answer #8 · answered by Parker M 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure what your parents mean by power sortage, but lets be realistic here:
If your parents don't want you to have your computer on overnight, and you live under their roof, it's best to listen to them.
End of story.
2006-12-26 14:58:31 · answer #9 · answered by arrowroberts 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋
the majority of people leave them on 24/7 !!!!!! just get a good surge protector....
2006-12-26 14:57:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋