Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!olivea!samsung!emory!Dixie.Com!jgd From: jgd@Dixie.Com (John G. DeArmond) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware Subject: Re: TURN COMPUTER OFF OR LEAVE ON? Message-ID: <20114@rsiatl.Dixie.Com> Date: 24 May 91 15:44:39 GMT References: <91141.132518U15310@uicvm.uic.edu> <1991May24.033650.15836@cbnewsc.att.com> Organization: Dixie Communications, The South's First Commercial Public Access Unix Lines: 63 quimby@madoka.its.rpi.edu (Quimby Pipple) writes: >>> 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. Yep, ain't it wonderful? >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. More important than mechanical wear for consumer-grade electronics is the inrush stress. While Mr. AT&T may test his company's computers extensivly, the same cannot be said for the average asian clone. Anyone who has ever taken apart and analyzed an asian PC power supply could not help but observe the degree of cost engineering. The very minimal possible components in every stage. At a more pragmatic perspective, how many things has anyone ever observed failing under normal operating conditions vs during powerup? >>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? More to the point, large expensive engines (diesel truck, locomotive, ship) ARE left running most of the time precisely to avoid startup wear. When I used to run a locomotive for a living, the ONLY time it was shut down was for service. Now just to keep this argument going, I'll argue from the other side :-) On April 14th in the early morning while I was asleep, a monitor in my office below decided to practice self-emolation. The resultant fire destroyed my office and my house. Thanks to a smoke alarm, I barely got out in time. So... What to do. The answer is to do whatever feels good. If you feel better turning things off at nite, then do it. If you feel better leaving them on, then do it. It is impossible to quantify the loss factors from either avenue, especially if you take into account collateral damage such as fire. Me, I'm still leaving everything on. As I rebuild I'm putting in better fire protection but I personally feel that the reduced hassles of leaving the equipment on is worth the minor risk. John -- John De Armond, WD4OQC | "Purveyors of speed to the Trade" (tm) Rapid Deployment System, Inc. | Home of the Nidgets (tm) Marietta, Ga | {emory,uunet}!rsiatl!jgd | "Vote early, Vote often"