Is it unsafe to shut down your computer after using it?

Question

Ok, ive heard that it isnt good to shut down your pc but no ones ever said why. Plz help!

Answer 1

Improper shutdown is unsafe, such as directly switching off the power.
Proper shutdown is what we do by clicking Start->Turn off computer->Turn off. It is safe.

Answer 2

The truth is, keeping the PC in a constantly powered state *may* extend the life of the electric components...

Consider a light bulb. When does a bulb burn out? Usually, when you first switch it on. This is because the "stress" (as one answer put it) of electricity suddenly moving through the filament does, indeed, shorten it's life. The same is true for a PC, although I make this statement with reservations...

First, a PC is a much more advanced piece of electronics. It's more capable of standing the "stress" of being switched on and off than a cheap light bulb - practically speaking, 100-year-old technology.

Second, there are components within a PC that fail more quickly if they are left on! This includes everything that is rotating - fans and, more importantly, hard drive. If your computer is set to "hibernate" or "sleep", then your hard drive should not be a problem - it will shut itself down after the specified time. Fans, on the other hand, tend to run constantly (unless you have a pretty up-to-date system). This simply wears the bearings down over time. On the bright side, fans are pretty cheap to replace. Most can be replaced for under $20. The biggest culprit - the power supply fan, which often is not easily replaced. If this fails the entire power supply may have to be replaced. On the other hand, turning the power supply off and on - once again - can shorten its life as well.

In my experience, I have had more burnt out power supply fans (several) than burnt out motherboards (only one - the capacitors were fried, a common problem). In these cases I generally left the computer on all the time. Chances are that you *will* get more life (from the power supply) by turning the PC on every day when you are ready to use it and off every night before you go to bed.

However, I wouldn't stake my life on it.

Jim, http://www.life-after-harry-potter.com

Answer 3

in the beginning. Do you have any errors messages after the shutdown? computers have a fault mechanism equipped into the chip set which will, relatively, close a device down. There are numerous the rationalization why this could happen. Processor overheating will reason unpredicted shutdown. in case you recognize a thank you to take the element panel off of your comp. accomplish that and make effective the processor cooling fan is working with little or no resistance. Secondly, examine the skill furnish cooling fan, an overheated skill furnish will reason this experience additionally. The working device should not be inflicting this except you have hardware or utility conflicts. through fact it extremely is custom equipped and not kind call i do no longer think of discovering the difficulty online might help you very plenty. examine those factors formerly buying a clean HDD. A processor or skill furnish fan substitute is plenty greater low priced. I desire you success in looking the answer on your predicament.

Answer 4

There's a theory, that, when you fire up your computer the solder joints heat up and expand and when you shut it off they cool down and contract so you could possibly get an "open" in a solder joint on the motherboard. My business is computers and in the 100s I've worked on I've never run across that ever happening! I turn my machines off when I'm not using them. Unless its a server or the computer is having issues booting I consider leaving them on all the time a waste of electricity and resources.
Another reason I do it is that I replaced a power supply on a computer once because the power supply that was in it fried and almost started a fire. Been a little paranoid ever since. LOL.

Answer 5

Safe: it is safe when all your programs are closed and finished operating to shut down your computer with the start menu option.

Unsafe: it is unsafe to either shut down your computer while still working with open programs or to just hold down the power button and shut down manually because the programs need to finish their work and save any files.

Answer 6

Hi. Its OK to shut it down as often as you like (saves the most power) but its also OK to go into 'Standby'. This keeps the RAM alive and will shorten the time it takes for the computer to come back on.

Answer 7

No real evidence that supports either argument.

I have a pet peeve about people who leave their computers on, especially since I am a 5 computer household, and, invariably, some people here like to go to work, while continuing their downloads, and it uses up the bandwidth, making my internet usage slower.... but, that's just me.

Actually, my theory is, if it's off, it's sleeping better, but, that's just my preference. I happen to be a little crazy, cause I talk to my computer and treat it like a pet... soooo...

Answer 8

It's ok to shutdown computer after use. Don't worry about it, I shutdown all the time.

Some people say that power cycle heats up computer chips and cools down, thus degrading the chips due to thermal stress. I still have not seen any compelling evidence that this is a problem.

Answer 9

As a technician I have heard all sorts of stories while there are arguments for both shutting down as well as not shutting down honestly for the home user it makes very little difference go ahead and shut down as long as you do it properly ie the shut down menu

Answer 10

Shutting off and on your computer "supposedly" puts wear and tear on the motherboard and over time it might damage it. But I think this is just a myth and if you want to save energy just put your computer on stand by or shut if off.