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General discussion

How much electricity does keeping my computer on use?

Aug 7, 2005 2:35AM PDT

I just got Broadband. I am curious as to whether or not to leave my computer on mostly or not. One item is that I read that keeping connected to the internet makes me more vulnerable. Another is how much electricity that uses. I wonder if anyone has any idea of what size of light bulb might use about the same amount? I ask that way because technical data would be hard for me to understand and compare. Not very important.

Discussion is locked

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Disconnecting internet but leaving oomputer on
Aug 7, 2005 2:38AM PDT

After I boot up, i have to click on IE or Firefox to open the internet. I am wondering if there is away, after I do that, to disconnect from the internet but still have my computer running. AFter connect by clicking on one of those browsers, I can click on the X and close the browser window but I am still online.

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How much gas does my car use?
Aug 7, 2005 2:45AM PDT

Your question is a good one but like mine you ignored the Forum Note. No one can tell you an exact answer.

Here's the Note in case you missed it:

Note: If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem.

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NOT YOU, BOB, ME!
Aug 8, 2005 9:04AM PDT

I didn't see your post when I replied to my own. If I had, I would have had yet another reason to call myself an idiot. I'm installing Vonage broadband phone service and I got to wrongly thinking that I'd have to have my computer on in order to use the phone sevice, as though the phone would be connected to the computer, when, in fact, I'll have a phone adapter with one cable going to the computer and the other to the phone.

However, I am still curious about the question of how much electricity my computer uses when it is on. I have a DEll Dimension 3400, Intel Premium 4 CPU, IE6, Windows XP. Should I provide anything else?

One reason I don't provide that information when I should is that I forget, a very common habit which is getting worse as I get older. Another is that I never have collected that information in one place, in my case in MS Works, so that I can easily copy it. For example, to provide the above information, I had to spend quite a while trying to remember or figure out where it was. I couldn't recall what the model of Dell Dimension I have and it's not on the computer and my owner's manual is somewhere.

I now want to collect all the information in a document in Works. You might let me know what information besides the above it would be a good idea for me to have handy. Thanks.

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Frorm 9 to 215 Watts.
Aug 8, 2005 9:11AM PDT

That revealed enough that I can find http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/corporate/environ/3400MP.pdf which states the average power draw to be in that range. That usually doesn't include a monitor but you can guess about a the same for Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) models and about 1/3 that for an LCD.

Hope this is close enough for you.

Cheers,

Bob

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Thanks, Bob
Aug 12, 2005 9:22AM PDT

Man, you really know how to get the answers. (I have tracked this thread but if I got notice of the replies I overlooked them.)

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Thanks.
Aug 12, 2005 1:47PM PDT

Many answers can be had when enough clues are provided. Your added info gave me enough to find the data sheet for the model you may have.

Bob

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Grandpa
Aug 8, 2005 9:13AM PDT

while you are at it, download belarc Advisor from this site and print out the results, Next time you need to give information you will have it readily available. You should also be able to copy the report into Works and save a copy. Good luck!

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

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Website link...
Aug 8, 2005 11:16AM PDT

The website for Belarc is "www.belarc.com/free_download.html"...just copy and paste it into your browser. (It was blocked in Alan's post because it contains the word ''free,'' which apparently evil. Devil To avoid this, drop off the ''http://'' to stop the automatic linking feature.)

However, I prefer another free program, Everest, whcih can be downloaded by clicking here.

Hope this helps,
John

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(NT) (NT) John, Thanks! Forgot about the dreaded "Free"!
Aug 8, 2005 11:42AM PDT
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(NT) (NT) I prefer Everest too, more detailed info
Aug 8, 2005 8:06PM PDT
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Thanks to Alan, mousearoma and Willy
Aug 12, 2005 9:26AM PDT

I do have Everest and will put the pertinent info in a place that I can access easiy. I guess that with Everest there is no need for Belarc. Thanks.

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LIsten to me, you old idiot!
Aug 8, 2005 8:39AM PDT

You don't need have your computer on in order to use Vonage broadband phone service.

Please act like this guy never posted this message.

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Broadband
Aug 8, 2005 10:17AM PDT

I would be sure I had a good firewall installed. windows ZP provides one as does Zone Alarm. If you get Zone Alarm, try the free version before you buy.

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Alan, I have the Windows XP firewall
Aug 12, 2005 9:27AM PDT

Thanks. grandpaw

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Grandpaw
Aug 12, 2005 10:11AM PDT

Keep it on and keep up the good work.