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General discussion

What is the best for my monitor?

by titus Sep 21, 2004 4:07AM PDT

Just a query that I would be grateful for your help with!

What is better for my monitor - an ongoing screensaver - eg an animated aquarium (which I like the idea of!)

OR

Having a windows screensaver that comes on at 3 mins, and then the monitor shutting down 2 mins later. Saves electricity BUT I will usually restart the monitor within a 30 minute time scale ie does all the turning on and off actually damage my monitor.....

Or is there little to choose between either???

Thank you for your help

M

Discussion is locked

4 Posts
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Screensaver serves no actual purpose
by Ray Harinec Sep 21, 2004 5:00AM PDT

other than to please the observer. It does nothing to help the monitor.

Regarding "turning off" the monitor, most don't fully turn off the monitor, just shut down somefunctions, thus the turn down and restart is milder than fully turning it off and on.

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Re: What is the best for my monitor?/beware
by Steven Haninger Sep 21, 2004 6:42AM PDT

of screensavers you download for free from the internet. There is at least one aquarium version that is spyware. I had to remove it from my daughters laptop recently. Otherwise, much depends on your own habits and the type of monitor you have. CRT types are quite different from LCDs. Some screensavers are just for show and some are effective in doing what they are supposed to do which is to maintain the purity of your screen images. Your choice..

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Re: What is the best for my monitor?/beware
by AussiePete Sep 22, 2004 12:55AM PDT

the best screen saver is the one that shows nothing - that is a "blank" screen. You will find this option in the list of screen saver's - i use the winxp default screen saver as it produces the minimum graphics out-put while the picture tube is still running.
If you use your computer every 1/2hr best to set your monitor to go on stand-by at say 45min.
It is the power off and power on that is not good for your monitor so use this as a last resort - in your case say after 1.5hrs if you know u wont use your monitor for some time.
You should be doing the same with your hard disks as well and your computer in general.
Let me point out one thing though - taxis usually do about 500,000km before they need any major engine work - compare this to the normal family car that is lucky to do 180,00 before any work - its because machines and electronic cannot handle temperature change and prefer to be running all the time.
hope this helps
peter
Peter

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Re: What is the best for my monitor?/beware
by titus Sep 22, 2004 3:27AM PDT

Thanks or the helpeveryone - esp AussiePete. From what I understand by your post, it is good to keep the tube running BUT with the least possible graphics input.

I have already adjusted my settings accordingly - thanks again for the advice!

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