Computer: Shut off, or leave on

[Blue Chipper]

Before I go, I was wondering if I should shut my computer down, or leave it on (note: it's been on straight for months). Does anyone have any quick input on which is better for your CP, as Iv'e searched and discovered mixed opinions.

Do you shut your computer down, or leave it on?

 

[Blue Chipper]

Come on, nobody? No input at all?

 

[The Dewbliners]

I typically just close the top down, but I also use a laptop. When I actually used my desk top for something more than an overpriced paper weight, I typically shut it down. Prevents burn in on your screen and what not.

 

[Blue Chipper]

Thanks Dewey. Still debating though.

 

[Blue Chipper]

Anyone else?

 

[C.M.]

I shut it off

 

[Blue Chipper]

Yea dewey, I guess I should've specified that it was a desktop instead of a laptop. Quick guys, any other suggestions?

 

[Blue Chipper]

I shut it off

Shut off - 2, leave on - 0

 

[Blue Chipper]

I'll probably start just regularly shutting it down then, starting now.

 

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

I had my desktop on for a good year straight, for the most part. Bad idea lol. A couple little things on my motherboard actually melted and I had to get that all replaced.

If nobody's using the computer for a good chunk of time, its better to just shut it off, if not for the computer's health, but for the electric bill as well.

 

[Blue Chipper]

Good suggestion Nofate. Ironically, the only time I do shut the cp off, I can't sleep.

 

[Spunky]

Ummm, Why are people leaving them on in the first place?

 

[The Doctor]

Well, we once had a desktop that we left on overnight. Did that for years. When it got here, we found the motherboard was fucked. Don't know if that's because of the movers or because we left i on.

For my netbook, I live it on in standby all day but turn it off over night.

 

[Spunky]

That doesn't answer my question buddy.

 

[The Doctor]

For our first one, the power button was stuck and so if you turned it off yu couldn't get it back on.

The second one I have no idea. I never questioned it. I guess it was a pain to start up or something.

 

[Spunky]

Fair enough, Just sounds a little silly wasting all of that money on electric bills, All because of shutting down a PC.

 

[The Doctor]

Well, in Italy most of our bills were paid for us. Not the phone bill, unfortunately. But a lot of them.

Military family, see.

 

[Spunky]

I would say lucky bastard in that instance, But I feel it wouldn't be appropriate. lol.

 

[LigerBomb]

For overall performance, and reliability, especially if this is an older machine I would shut it off (or if it's a laptop place it in standby/hibernate). That said it depends on it's use. I wouldn't shut it off if say, I just finished typing a post on WZ forums then wanted to watch a show on TV knowing in about an hour or so I would go back to the forums to see replies etc. What I'm saying is is that i depends on your usage habits and the amount of idle time the computer would be under. At the very least shut it off every night while you're sleeping and if you'll be out for large amounts of the day.
Oh and though this isn't part of the topic, I recommend a weekly (or monthly if you prefer) backup, defrag, space clean up, V-scan, etc. etc. etc. Just set up the progs to do an auto run say every Saturday morning or so and then go out and get in a good run or workout. By the time you come back your machine should be all set. I know it sounds a bit extreme but in all my years of computer "problems" I never lost any data or had and major viruses, or had my info/identity stolen etc. so I live by the whole better safe than sorry and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure model.
Lastly, if you system is really in dire straits consider a full info/file backup, then wiping the system and re-installing the operating system.

 

[Slyfox696]

Leave it on. Overall it's better for it. However, it's always good to shut it down occasionally, to let the computer "reset" itself, clear its memory, etc.

Ummm, Why are people leaving them on in the first place?

Because it's better for them.

Fair enough, Just sounds a little silly wasting all of that money on electric bills, All because of shutting down a PC.

Some argue it costs more money to turn off and then start up again, then letting computer go into sleep mode.

 

[HBK-aholic]

It's actually better for it? I leave mine on because I can't be bothered waiting for it to start up, and I just pretended to myself it was better for it

 

[Spunky]

Leave it on. Overall it's better for it. However, it's always good to shut it down occasionally, to let the computer "reset" itself, clear its memory, etc.

Because it's better for them.

Some argue it costs more money to turn off and then start up again, then letting computer go into sleep mode.

I don't see how it could be better for it though, Surely after awhile the system will start to over heat, Like almost every electrical appliance.

You couldn't argue it costs more with me, My desktop pc hasn't been on for 2 months. My laptop is on about 3 times a week.

 

[Slyfox696]

I don't see how it could be better for it though, Surely after awhile the system will start to over heat, Like almost every electrical appliance.

How will it overheat, if you take care of it? It sounds like you need to find a better cooling system for your PC. Maybe upgrade to one that has been released in the last 5-7 years would be a start.

You couldn't argue it costs more with me, My desktop pc hasn't been on for 2 months. My laptop is on about 3 times a week.

Well, no, obviously if you don't use it ever, it's not going to save costs. But, for those of us who have computers to actually do stuff on them, it can save money.

 

[Spunky]

How will it overheat, if you take care of it? It sounds like you need to find a better cooling system for your PC. Maybe upgrade to one that has been released in the last 5-7 years would be a start.

Well, no, obviously if you don't use it ever, it's not going to save costs. But, for those of us who have computers to actually do stuff on them, it can save money.

lol, You mean like the PC i brought just over a year ago?

But still, People sleep. Is it not better to switch it off over night?

 

[Slyfox696]

lol, You mean like the PC i brought just over a year ago?

And it overheats?