Correct way to turn computer off

It is really important to simply close all open applications before shutting down your Windows XP computer -- including your web browser. You'll avoid all sorts of problems -- like left over temporary files, for one thing, that only clog up your computer, slow it down, and lead to crashes. In fact you would be extremely prudent to periodically delete your temporary files manually or with a utility like System Mechanic. You're computer run much more stably if you follow this practice (and you'd be best off letting System Mechanic or a similar utility do the work for you).

how do i delete the temporary files manually. how often should this activity be taken up? are there any risk factors involved in doing so? my mind is packed with so many doubts as i am not clear as to what are
'temporary files'. thanks in advance.

First, I use Windows XP not sure what you're using. There are many ways on how to delete your temporary files.

The easiest way is through your browser.

In your browser (IE) Click on Options>internet options>

Then you can delete cookies, files (offline too), and even your history.

Another way is to go through your "disk clean-up"

Start>all programs>acessories>system tools>disk clean up.

When you click on disk clean up it will take a few minutes depending how much junk you got in there. Then another window will pop up asking you what you would like to delete...usually these files are compressed old files, temporary internet files, and other junk.

Hope this helped.

and don't forget the delete the prefetch also

I know that the prefetch folder is in Windows folder but what exactly are these files and why is it safe to delete them?

...are XP's way of monitoring programs that load at start up. They retain settings for those programs so XP can load faster..Unfortunately, some of those saved prefetch may not be used any longer and as a result, they simply take up space. Deleting them, then restarting the computer will cause the old junk to be removed and a new set of clean prefetch files to be created.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Grif,
Thank you so much for the answer. I have been reading
these forums for quite awhile and always am interested when I see your answers. You do a good job with explanations! Keep up the good work helping us computer users.

I religiously shut everything down and close files first. Was only intending to address whether the computer hardware would be damaged. LOL.

I have seen in my time some programs not shutting down properly from the windows shut down command.

There are also some programs, that you use a password to connect to, but does not accept the shut down command, as a request to log you off the application, hence the next time you try to log on, it will not let you.

Rule. Always shut down each individual window before shutting down the pc from the start button.

Here's how you can shutdown/restart your computer:

Open the command prompt by pressing the WIN key and R at the same time. The WIN key is the one that looks like the microsoft logo. A small window will open in the bottom left corner of your screen. Type the following to shutdown your computer instantly and force all programs to halt: "shutdown -f -s -t 0" Type that in the box, without the "", of course.

This will guarantee that you lose data as it will bypass program notification. THis command shout only be used in cammond files in an emergency.

The reason it is fast is because it doesn't wait for programs to close. THe "-f" means "force" programs to close.

NOT A GOOD IDEA!

JV said that quick shutdown was NOT A GOOD IDEA. The reason given was that the method did not shut down the programs that might be open. But no mention was made about why doing this is bad. The only reason I know of is if the user is creating data files and they have not been saved. Anyone who shuts down a probrm without saving either doesn't want that file OR deserves to lose the data if he/she doesn't know to save the data first.

Doing any kind of quick shut down will definitely NOT damage hardware. In fact it is almost impoasible to damage hardware that is not already defective by just uinng software, not even intentionally.

People need to learn NOT to pay attention to statements on the web or anywhere else that do not include validation or reasons why the statement is assumed to be so. I always assume that the are NOT true if not validadte.

Jim

...recommended for everyday use and it certainly isn't a response to the original topic or my post which is the one you responded to. As JV mentions above, the potential for data loss is high. It obviously is not a good answer for: "Correct Way To Turn Computer Off".

Hope this helps.

Grif

I am using Windows XP.

I prefer to close all windows, all instant messenging whatevers, everything that is open.

Then I close it from the Start Menu. Click Shut Down and Say Goodnight to my Computer.

To me this is the Safest Way.

Logically it should be the only way.

Its so simple, just a few clicks and you are done.

Best regards
Elinor W
Montreal

I forgot to add the reason why I use the shut down from the Start Menu (after closing all windows)

I shut down from Start Menu, because I feel it may cause errors by shutting down from the Computer Tower.

You only shut down from the Tower in cases of emergency i.e. freezes or power failure.

Best regards
Elinorann978
Montreal

I usually don't bother with shut down unless I have just installed a new program that require a re-start. Hibernating is quick and there is no need to close any open windows (with the exception of full windows like games). I am not sure about net connections, so I close them before, but I think I can assume that they are terminated before hibernating.
This might not be a correct response to the initial question, but I thought it worthwhile mentioning. If I have to shut down I close all the open windows, gives peace of mind.

I always use hibernate if I can to power down windows xp, I prefer this because it means I can leave programs running and carry on where left off. Also I have a slight problem when I shut down normally (or restart) with my system because when powering back on windows ask me to re-activate, usually no trouble over internet connection! But inconvienence when it happens.
Mike

. . .don't do it with an active connection to the internet still on. I did this intentianlly as an experiment; I had an active audio stream running when I clicked on hibernate.
When I restarted, the music resumed normally for a few seconds, but then it cut off and I got a really scary-looking error screen that advised something REALLY bad had happened internally. I simply shut down and restarted normally and everything was OK, but from now on I will at least exit my internet browser before hibernating.

*

Couldn't agree with you more.....Very simple and safe.....Bob

I always hibernate to clpse my PC.advantage, the startup is faster.In my openion , Hibernation i sthe best way to close the PC.

Regards,

Saket Jha
Gujarat
India

I learned the hard way that it's always best to close all programs and shut down from a clean (i.e., the way it looks at initial bootup) Desktop using the Start button. Any other way seems, alas, to lead to some degree of data corruption...

Before shutting down, I perform some system maintenance to keep the system running smoothly, so don't use the hard-wired switch afterwards. First, close all running programs such as IE or Microsoft Office programs. Try using control panel Internet Options to delete all off-line file content, run "%temp% to remove all temporary files that can be deleted, empty the "recycle bin", then run the "disk cleanup" utility (comes with Win XP) on each local hard drive. When I start up again, I always perform a defrag first on all local hard drives. You would be amazed at how much faster your PC will run down the road.

Excuse me for being so pointed, but isn't your shut down start up procedure on the obsessive side?

There must be a better faster way that will both save you time and protect the computer.

Regards,

Betty

I am a heavy pc user, and just close the lid of the laptop et voila!
Every so often I do turn it off from the start button and let windows 'do its thing'...
In the desktop pc I just use the start button an run away!... XP is v good at closing all windows/ programs/ it conenction/ and save whatever has to be saved.

Never had problems!