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General discussion

Is it OK?

Jun 5, 2004 3:05AM PDT

Is it OK to leave a computer on 24/7? I have one that I put on standby every night, but the other gets left on all the time. And if I'm supposed to reboot every once in a while, how often? And is there such a thing as auto-restart? Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Re:Is it OK?
Jun 5, 2004 4:11AM PDT

it dosen't really matter but i have never left it on forever, if you don't use it at night then turn it of it will be better in the long run. it is good to restart once in a while((if your a big gamer then once or twice a day, if not then maybe once every 2 days)if gets slower restart it more often) for it can get slow.

PS. remember your electricty bill!!!

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Re:Is it OK?
Jun 5, 2004 4:16AM PDT

jtx,

That's up to you and your needs for the computer.It also depends on the operating system that you're using. (Unfortunately, you didn't give us that information.) There are a number of opinions on this subject..."when" and "How often" to turn off a computer...but here's my idea on the subject.

Unless you're going to be using the computer at night, turn it off. Let it rest. It uses power/money/resources and will wear out various moving parts sooner, at least as they relate to your ability to use the machine. Heat is not good for computers and the longer they're "hot", the quicker they'll have problems. If you're using a Win 9.x or ME computer, they will need to be restarted occasionally, (usually once per day) in order to recover resources. If you're using an NT based computer (NT, 2000, or XP), they have the ability to run for long periods of time without restarting, if needed.

Our work machines can be "servers", which run constantly, or desktop work-stations, which are turned on in the morning and off at the end of the day. With my personal computers I turn them on when I'm using them and turn them off when I'm not. I don't use the power management features for "Standby" etc. because I leave the machine on those days that I'm home. If I'm going to leave the house for 3 or 4 hours, or more, I turn the machine off. If not, I just leave it running.

In addition, if you're going to be leaving a computer on 24/7, make sure you monitor it frequently. Although not common, electrical fires, shorts, or those types of things are possible.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Re:Re:Is it OK?
Jun 5, 2004 6:31AM PDT

Thank you.

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Re:Is it OK?
Jun 5, 2004 10:05AM PDT

Forget standby. I used it for years. The best is HIBERNATE if you have it.

It makes your computer turn on and off like a TV. It's completely off after you hit the power button. When you turn it on, it comes right back WITHOUT booting up.
Why leave it on and waste electricity and wear out parts?

I can't believe I didn't use it sooner.