OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

I've heard many different things from different sources, but I'd like to hear what you knowledgable people think http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Should computers be left constantly running, with only the occasional reboot? Or should the computer be turned off frequently when not in use, like overnight?

Which option will extend the life of the components to the maximum?

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

I just set the computer to hibernate so I dont have to load up windows again. Also you wanna keep it off because it uses electric, it like a light turn it off when you leave the room, unless you are doing something with it.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

I tend to turn my computer off overnight about 50% of the time. Otherwise I just have the monitor/harddrive go to sleep after 30min of non-use.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

If you leave it on all the time, it will not shorten the actual lifespan of the hardware. The parts will tend to break down after the same amount of hours of operation either way. It will shorten the perceived lifespan in terms of absolute years in that fewer measured days will pass before parts tend to break. However, by the time it starts to die in either case, it will be highly obselete and in need of replacement anyways. In either case, your computer parts will probably last for many years, assuming you do not abuse them. Keep them cool, don't overclock them, etc.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

I rarely turn mine off. Only if I am going to be gone all day or if I go on a trip or something. I do a nightly system scan, virus check, and restart but thats about it. It does eat electricity but mine has a power save mode that comes on after an hour of inactivity. I think modern computers are designed to stay on.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

It is really a mater of choice with newer systems so long as the power settings are configured properly. But since dormant electronic devices consume >10% of the electricity generated (USA) it would be greener if you shut it down.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

It's better to shut it down. You save energy (no matter how little) and you get a memory wipe (you start fresh) along with the elimination of some background processes terminated, clearing up more memory! [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/icon07.gif[/img]

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

Memory management isn't really much of a problem in 2k/xp. Rebooting every day doesn't help memory usage much, if any. It takes a few weeks before problems start cropping up.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

So basically, the only real reason to turn it off is to save electricity, and perhaps to prolong the life of components (though likely to be obsolete before death anyways).

In that case I guess I'll just shut her off at night, leave on all day unless I'm not going to be around.

One more question: Do repeated shut downs/reboots lessen the life of components?

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

A good power supply should be gentle on power-up.

When booting, your hard disk is really used heavily to load everything...
But unless you're rebooting every 5 minutes it won't matter.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

I usually leave my computer on overnight, and then in the morning I turn it off before going to work. Then when I get home in the evening I turn it back on again.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

Get some solar panels installed on your roof, and then you can leave it on all night guilt-free http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

If your computer is Win 98 or older shutting it down can put more wear and tear on it. Newer computers don't have that problem. I leave mine on all the time, but shut off the monitor. I really don't notice a difference on my power bill when I have left it off or had it on. Your biggest power user is the monitor. As a computer tech, it really doesn't matter. It doesn't hurt the computer to leave it on or off. Though I don't recommend turning it on and off multiple times a day.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

Keeping your PC running when you don't use it is a waste of power and precious resources.

Please keep in mind that North America has the highest power useage per citizen in the world and that turning your computer off would help all of us to preserve resources. There is no unlimited supply of oil and coal.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

I used to be against leaving my computer on when I wasn't using it, but lately I've taken to leaving it on all day so I don't have to restart each time I come back. Even when I go out for an hour I leave it on.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

More reasons to turn your computer off when not in use.

Security. It’s difficult to hack a machine that’s off. Especially if your internet connect is always on.

Electric Spikes. Lighting, brown outs, power outs..

Dust buildup on the fans and in side the case. The more you leave it on the sooner it will need a good cleaning.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

Computer hardware used to be the main consideration in older computers for leaving them running. The hard drives with new technology run better and for those of us that go back far enough remember have to 'PARK' your heads on your hard drive before shutting it off, some superstitions die hard. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

Well that mostly answers my questions. Thanks everyone. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

I've got one of those!
http://imagemodserver.mine.nu/nick/p...es/se5beta.png

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

If you have an always on broadband connection, you should also be running a hardware firewall. Any decent router comes with one. Routers with NAT firewalls are not decent routers.

Personally, I would suggest that you get a UPS. They don’t cost much and the will cure the spike/sag problem. Plus give you some spare power during outages. It’s nice to be able to use the cordless phone or charge the flash light during outages. If you have a couple of grand invested in a nice system, another buck fifty for a UPS is not that hard to justify.

Dust build up is a problem, systems move a lot of air. An always on system should either be in a clean environment or have a case with filtered intakes. The system that is in my living room (with the damn cats) needs the filter cleaned once a week.

If you have an always on broadband connection, you should also be running a hardware firewall. Any decent router comes with one. Routers with NAT firewalls are not decent routers.



A small point of personal experience: If you get new carpet, don’t put the computer on the floor when you move it back into the room. New carpet sheds more than cats do.

Edit: Gotta watch "select all" on a pda, there is a lot not showing on the display. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/mad.gif

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

Routers with NAT firewalls are not decent routers.

What?

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

A NAT is not really a firewall.

And lacking NAT dosen't make it a better router.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

As for power supplies, I personally have everything going through an industrial-strength surge protector (gotten at an auction) first, and have a UPS for my hub, Router and Cable modem.

With the UPS running only those things after I shut down my computer, I can use my laptop to keep chatting here and on the IRC channel while the power is out http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

Aint it sweet http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Gives you someting to do while the power is out http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/tongue.gif

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

NAT isn't a firewall but, without looking back at reference material (in other words, in laymen terms...), it's my understanding NAT logs a request for info leaving the router and when a data packet comes in response to that request, it is allowed to penetrate the router. Any packet coming into the router for which there is not an outstanding request is turned away.

This is the way I understand NAT (but I could be wrong).

So, in theory, this seems like good protection. But, as in anything, multiple barriers are the desired defense, so NAT is just one component of mine.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

I turn mine off for the night, and use sleep mode during the day. Electricity is the primary concern, but the CPU / MB / Video Card / HD heat issues are also of cheif concern.

And the fans make too much noise.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

NAT lets many LAN addresses share a WAN address and like a switchboard, directs the incomming packets to the correct LAN address.

Once a hacker sniffs out your internal addresses, or guesses, then he can defeat NAT.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

Side reason for leaving your computer on all the time:

SETI@home

I mean, this forum has been set up for a 4X space strategy game with more types of aliens than there are ants on this miserable little world. Who doesn't want to help sniff out REAL intelligent extraterrestrial life? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif


(Well, those leaders of Xenophobic empires, but apart from them.....)

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

Indeed, don't waste your processor. Folding@Home

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

I thought SETI@home was finished now- that they'd processed everything that needed processing.

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

I turn my computer off because it makes no sense to leave it on overnight. It only takes less than 30 seconds to start it up...

Re: OT: Should computers stay on constantly?
 

I leave my computer on, because otherwise it doesn't scan for viruses.