People have told me it is better to leave my computer on, rather than turning it off when I'm done.. Why is that, and should I just leave it on?
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ANSWERS: 19
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Thats not true at all, not only does it waste energy, but its prevents your system from installing important updates.
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Actually, the jury is still out on this one. XOXMSperfect's view represents one side of the argument. The other is the fact that the sudden "jolt" of electricity that is applied to the components in your component as soon as the power button is pressed is the greatest cause of wear on the components. Consider a light bulb. Have you ever experienced it blow out while it was on? Probably not. It usually occurs as soon as you flick the switch on for hust this reason. If you are only concerned about what is best for your computer, leaving it on is probably easiest on the computer itself, but there is a high cost associated with it in terms of power consumption.
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Frankly, over the useful life of your computer and its components you are not going to save anything by keeping it on, and you'll use electricity. Clearing out the memory once in a while with a reboot often keeps things running smoothly, also.
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The circuitry in your computer is well protected from inrush current. It is utterly untrue that leaving it on all the time increases its useful life. Heat is a much bigger enemy of the components inside than on/off cycling. This isn't something people have to debate. It's been tested in laboratories. If you need the computer on for remote access or critical scans and auto-updates, leave it on -- just turn the monitor off. If you don't need it on, turn it off and save the energy. The average computer today will far outlast its usefulness in either usage mode. :)
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We have a little fan problem at the moment, so we tend to leave the computer on, so as to avoid the an NOT starting up, and there would we be? ~ without Answerbag for a day or so or more!.... NOT GOOD! LoL Actually, we've had our current computer for over 7 years (yes I know - I should get with the real world and update!), and we leave it on most the time, with about a weekly/ftntly reboot unless required for updates.
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RareCatch It needs to be cleaned I clean mine every year you would be surprises at the dust that collect inside. Your fans are probably plugged after 7 years Aug. 17 2017
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Hard drives don't have the failure problems like they did before. It also uses power which costs $$$
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I have a tendency to run anti-virus, Spyware and malware every night. Second while I am doing so I shot off my monitor, and later my computer will shot off by itself. I also use an UPS, but you want to shot off your computer and monitor, not only for energy consumption which can be adjusted, but also because of overheating, brownouts, lightning,plus would eliminate dust accumulation, the fans would last longer, etc. Computers create a lot of heat, so if you shot it off your computer should last longer, saving you lots of money on repairs. Remember to keep your computer off the floor, on your desk, clean it with Dust remover to avoid overheating. 0 Gravity
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save the planet turn it off+5.
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I leave it off on the night I 'm not updating files. I update once a week, so I do leave it on that day.
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Then the people telling you that are mistaken. Turn your computer off when you are done using it.
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Just try to imagine if you can all the parts involved in your computer. Each time power is sent to them on starting up it does it with a surge or burst of power. THIS IS exactly what you want to try to eliminate therefor reducing the need for replacement. I have had less problems with my computer over the past five years running it 6 am to 8 pm compared to the previous five, when I only turned it on a few times a day. I feel this is based on the fact the programs get the same jolt and more log files made. These facts were also confirmed on Mythbusters recently here in Australia.
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RareCatch
Mythbusters are a bunch of goof balls Aug. 17 2017
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Just try to imagine if you can all the parts involved in your computer. Each time power is sent to them on starting up it does it with a surge or burst of power. THIS IS exactly what you want to try to eliminate therefor reducing the need for replacement. I have had less problems with my computer over the past five years running it 6 am to 8 pm compared to the previous five, when I only turned it on a few times a day. I feel this is based on the fact the programs get the same jolt and more log files made. These facts were also confirmed on Mythbusters recently here in Australia.
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There are a lot of people on either side of the argument on this one. I turn off most of my computers at least once a day/night. However, I leave my main Windows Box on all the time. As my main box is needed as a server for all the other computers, I leave it on. I used to shut it down every night but I switched to a "power saving" LCD monitor and now don't bother. Except for energy-saving reasons there is little need to turn off a computer except for routine maintenance. Once a month I shut down my server and open it up. A quick vacuum, cleaning of the filters and a brief inspection of the motherboard for heat related damage and back to work it goes. In this day and age... if something is going to fail, it will fail 98% of the time within the manufacturer's initial warranty period. After that hurdle, it will run until obsolete. Even then with proper care it can keep going... and going... I still have two working Apple][+s that aside from a touch of yellowing of the ABS cases, run as good as the day they were bought. Hope this helps.
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Reasons to leave it on would be convenience and reduced wear on the parts. Reasons to turn it off would be electricity consumption and heat generation. Leaving your computer on and idle doesn't make it slower or anything.
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I always leave my PC on. It reduces the amount of dust that ends up inside your computer. (if your fans blow inward it is not good on your computer, because then it is sucking in all the dust particles)
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RareCatch
Excellent Aug. 17 2017
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I LOVE U ALL WHO HAVE MADE THIS MARVALLOUSE WEB PORTAL REALLY REALLY GREAT JOB......... I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS KIND OF STUFF WHILE NET SURFING..............
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I can't tell you why because I really don't think it is true, but put it on sleep that is what that is for. It is on the prompt where you start, restart, etc. just click on sleep.
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Fans are one thing that seem to operate better if left on, if you turn them off after being left on for a long time they tend to whine a little, I personally have some that are left on 24hrs a day, and some that i do turn off, and only turn them on when i want to do something to them. Most people in the office tend to turn off their computers when they leave work, haven't ran into too many problems from this, the main computer runs 24/7 7days a week, it also has had no problems, so i guess its just up to you.
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i used to leave my netbook on all the time and now im finding i cant use it if i do that
stanleighco 
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