Everyone uses the computer here, and a member of my family turns it in the morning, but leaves it on, but I like to use it from time to time. I heard that is better that way because is harmful for the computer to be shutted down all the time.
2007-05-06 14:10:43 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
One of the most stressful thing you can do to a computer is to perform a "cold start." When a computer is turned off for an extended period of time, the temperature of the components are at room temperature (i.e. roughly 70 F). When you turn on the power, the components quickly rise to 140 F or more. This rapid change from "cold" to "hot" stresses the components (i.e. CPU, RAM and etc.). If you ever heated metal quickly and then exposed it cold water, you will see how brittle it becomes. Guess what the CPU and RAM are made of? So, the idea is to keep the computer's temperature constant at a moderate temperature. But the key is a moderate temperature - usually under 60 C or 140 F. Overheating a computer is just as bad as performing a cold start - maybe even worse. If you are using a desktop, you should put your computer in "Standby Mode" when not in use. Standby mode does not turn off the computer but rather puts the computer in a power save mode with a trickle of electricity still coursing through the motherboard. If you are using a notebook then you should use the hibernate mode which conserves battery life.
2007-05-06 14:37:37 · answer #1 · answered by What the...?!? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most modern computers are powered by a power supply unit that is at least 250 watts. Think of a 250 watt light bulb that is left on all day, and that is about what amount of electricity you are burning. There are extreme gamer computers now that have 1000 watt psu's.
The hard disk drive is also on and runs from time to time, Windows being a bit active with all the Services running and the System Restore kicking in now and then, and the fans run on the mainboard and on the video card, etc....so even if it is just sitting there, it is operating and working, and of course using electricity.
It will not really hurt the computer to leave it on, but you will save money by turning it off when not in use.
Opinion differs about what is worse for wearing out the parts. Some people say that turning it on and off wears them out sooner, and some say turning them off when unused lengthens their lives.
I turn off the computer when I know I am not going to be using it for awhile, like at night when sleeping, when away for the day or at work, and certainly when on vacation.
2007-05-06 21:28:52 · answer #2 · answered by sonyack 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in a way yes for 2 reasons the first is heat and electricity use the second is all devices that have moving parts have MTBF which is mean time between failure but that is not a major issue if your using it on and off thru the day however it does no harm at all to shut down a computer and in many ways if you actively running a lot of programs it best to shut down every few days to start fresh
2007-05-06 21:27:51 · answer #3 · answered by Magnusfl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no harmful effect to the computer to be turened on for a long time , but make sure the screen saver is on , (for saving your computer screen from damages) ..
Because the processor doesn't work with more than 10 percent when you do nothing with the computer , and I think it's better to log off all the users to reduce the number of running processors in the background ..
I hope this helped
2007-05-06 21:18:24 · answer #4 · answered by EM 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not really harmful to desktop computers to leave them on during the day. The only harm comes from:
1. It uses electricity, even in sleep mode.
2. If a part fails, it could be dangerous if it catches fire (highly unlikely but possible)
3. If it is connected to the internet all day, you can be prone to attack from hackers etc. If you must please protect yourself with security programs like firewalls etc.
HTH
2007-05-06 21:31:41 · answer #5 · answered by oracle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know very well that all things in life need energy even your computer. Keeping the computer on round the clock is OK if you are working on it ,if not it is recommended to switch OFF .Apart from that the heat generated by your computer will increase the quantity of ions (Black sooth) to settle on to the chips or the monitor inner surface ,covering the inner surface and stopping the heat from dissipating ,which in turn will reduce the life of the P.C. Hence it is recommended to switch OFF when ever not in use.It also gives a longer life to your monitor.
2007-05-06 21:26:22 · answer #6 · answered by shivaa 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is best to leave it ON. All computers made in the last 3 years have energy saving modes to save electricity and go into a sleep state -- you move the mouse or hit a key and it starts up again.
2007-05-06 21:14:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Computers are made to be self-sustaining. The fans are used to keep the tempature regulated. Just keep it clean, and make sure air vents are clean, and all will be good. I have had a file server online for about 4 years strait, and nothing has ever happened. I only shut it down for upgrading, or restarting for patches.
2007-05-06 21:46:40 · answer #8 · answered by travis c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Umm I am far from a computer expert but in my house we have 3 computers that stay on 24/7 and no harm has come to them yet.
2007-05-06 21:15:27 · answer #9 · answered by Cricket 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry, your computer knows how to take care of itself. It's a big boy!
Turning your computer on and off won't do anything harmful, although I think it's rather annoying. I turn my computer on in the morning first thing, turn it off last thing at night.
2007-05-06 21:15:32 · answer #10 · answered by Ben W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋