Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!quimby From: quimby@madoka.its.rpi.edu (Quimby Pipple) Subject: Re: TURN COMPUTER OFF OR LEAVE ON? Message-ID: Nntp-Posting-Host: madoka.its.rpi.edu References: <91141.132518U15310@uicvm.uic.edu> <1991May24.033650.15836@cbnewsc.att.com> Date: 24 May 91 05:42:45 GMT Lines: 33 >> Does anyone have a definitive answer to the question of whether it's >> best to turn your computer off when not using, or leave it on ... in >> terms of equipment longevity? >I would like to calm the continuing fear of turning computers (electronics) >off when NOT IN USE for extended periods, including OVER NIGHT. Oh not this d*mn thread again. It's not a fear, it's the realization that power up/down cycling of virtually every electronic or mechanical device ever made causes some form of wear. The only argument in question is of the amount of 'up' time equal to the amount of wear in one up/down cycle. My guess would be something like 15 minutes for a typical light bulb, about the same for an automobile engine, and about a month for the average computer. It's not an accident that cycle testing is often part of accelerated life expectancy testing. >Do you keep your auto engine ON when you are not using it (it also heats UP >and cools down). DO you leave lights ON (if you pay the bills). etc. Do you like the noises your engine makes while turning over slowly with close to zero oil pressure? There's nothing wrong with leaving computers running all the time. It's standard procedure at many installations. There's also nothing wrong with turning the things off at night, unless you happen to have a Seagate drive in it. Please turn the monitors off overnight, though. Sometimes they catch fire. Quimby -- quimby@mts.rpi.edu, quimby@rpitsmts.bitnet