I shut down at night. It only takes a very short time to boot (not like years ago when you used to able to have a cup of coffee and walk the dog before it was up). I haven't noticed any decrease in life expectancy by doing this. I don't like leaving the pc on like that. Too many things can happen while you're sleeping. Severe electrical storms, power outages.
That said, I do not leave mine on as I do not like unattended equipment on that has the potential to create enough heat for fires etc. The computers at work are left on 24/7 now and seem to have a much longer life than when they had the policy of turning them off at night, but they have watchmen for malfunctions etc.
For some time I was turning mine off at night, but now leave it on to do scheduled maintenance at night. I do turn it off probably twice a week, or so, but genelly just leave it on. I do have an AV, Firewall and cable broadband connection.
I agree with most of what's been written here - which I guess means it's OK to leave the computer on while there's somebody around but be aware of the dangers of leaving the computer on unattended. In many environments, there are also security implications to leaving machines unattended.
Even if other considerations mean that you're happy to leave a computer on 24/7, it's still wise to reboot a couple of times a week, say, because problems that will build up that can only be corrected by a reboot. In my experience, this is not so important with 2000 & XP but vital with 95, 98 & especially ME.
Here in Nebraska, and my little spot in the world we have a reliable electric service so I don't worry about that so much but the weather can get nasty so I turn mine off at night and if there is a chance of a storm I this thing is no way connected to the wall or the phone. The only other thing I couldn't know about one bright sunny summer day is that someone was going to have a wreck east of town and hit the pole with out transformer or what ever. 5 Hours without lights......
I come in here and hit the button go get a cup of coffee and it is up and running.
kennyk-alias
245 Posts
0
January 11th, 2004 12:00
dogin
392 Posts
0
January 11th, 2004 12:00
That said, I do not leave mine on as I do not like unattended equipment on that has the potential to create enough heat for fires etc. The computers at work are left on 24/7 now and seem to have a much longer life than when they had the policy of turning them off at night, but they have watchmen for malfunctions etc.
bobh621
553 Posts
0
January 11th, 2004 12:00
Francis Nguyen
953 Posts
0
January 11th, 2004 13:00
I turn-off the PC if it is not in use for more than 1/2 hour. The PC is 4 year old and going strong.
F.
gudgeon
683 Posts
0
January 11th, 2004 13:00
I agree with most of what's been written here - which I guess means it's OK to leave the computer on while there's somebody around but be aware of the dangers of leaving the computer on unattended. In many environments, there are also security implications to leaving machines unattended.
Even if other considerations mean that you're happy to leave a computer on 24/7, it's still wise to reboot a couple of times a week, say, because problems that will build up that can only be corrected by a reboot. In my experience, this is not so important with 2000 & XP but vital with 95, 98 & especially ME.
Janginger
44 Posts
0
January 11th, 2004 15:00
Here in Nebraska, and my little spot in the world we have a reliable electric service so I don't worry about that so much but the weather can get nasty so I turn mine off at night and if there is a chance of a storm I this thing is no way connected to the wall or the phone. The only other thing I couldn't know about one bright sunny summer day is that someone was going to have a wreck east of town and hit the pole with out transformer or what ever. 5 Hours without lights......
I come in here and hit the button go get a cup of coffee and it is up and running.
Janet