do you turn off your computer or leave it on?

She has: 3 posts

Joined: Nov 2007

I have heard from a few friends that its best just to keep it on, but i have also heard that you should turn it off so you dont get virus'es etc..
Anyone got any thoghts on this ?
{link removed}

She has: 70 posts

Joined: Nov 2007

Turning it off if you're not using it saves electricity but won't make a difference as far as viruses are concerned. You get viruses from opening infected email, going to infected sites with an insecure browser, stuff like that. They don't juse wander the internet looking for computers that are left on. Wink

I leave mine on all the time because I stay logged into IRC 24/7. Otherwise I'd probably turn it off.

Michelle

They have: 74 posts

Joined: Jun 2009

i believe that keeping your computer on is more about energy conservation, viruses can be deleted with a scan

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

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I turn it off to save energy. On the weekends I try to remember to shut off my power bar before I leave work (because most appliances continue to suck energy even while they're turned off). At home I sometimes tend to leave my computer on on the weekends when I'm on and off it all the time, but I'm trying to be more realizstic about how long I'm going to be away - if it's more than an hour I'll shut it off.

Greg K's picture

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If I'm going to be away for more than an hour, I hibernate mine. Rarely do I actually shut it off, usually only when an update requires a restart. I never go to standby.

Interesting topic though is the people who insist on "turning off" a monitor anymore. probably 98% of the monitors that auto "standby" (shut off the display) when they detect no video signal, use the same circuits to detect you press the power button to turn it on. We did a test on a few monitors before watching the current usage, same when "off" as in standby (other than the very very tiny amount to light that LED on the front to tell you it is in standby).

-Greg

PS. Show your age, who remembers waiting several minutes for a TV to "warm up" before you could watch it?

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

My mac monitors don't even have an off button.

Greg, did you find that they were still sucking power when in "off" mode (or could you find that???). That's what I'm concerned about... I never did shut monitors off before I had these though. I'd always forget it was off when I went to use it again and wonder why the screen was still black.

We used to have a TV that took time to warm up like that. It also had kind of a greenish tint to the picture....

Greg K's picture

He has: 2,145 posts

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Modern monitors (and electronics) still sill use power even when "off". Compare older computers with a mechanical on/off switch to newer ones. Older computers (pc's anyhow) when you turned off the computer, it was actually breaking the connection of your AC to the power supply. If you ever worked on one, you saw you had wires going straight from the power supply to the power switch (or really old ones, the switch was in the power supply).

Newer systems (and monitors and such) there is some type of circuit that is constantly drawing power, which looks for the pressing of the power button. Now, don't get me wrong, this is WAY less power than the item fully turned on and working, but still using power, and like I said in the case of monitors, the same circuit is what checks for a video signal to go into "standby" mode, which is most likely the same mode it is in when off.

So in general, it is still a good idea if you are wanting to save power to shut off your equipment, however most monitors in use now will auto go into standby mode when they don't detect a video signal, which is most likely the same energy saving as shutting it off. This is why in windows under "Power Settings", you can set it how long to wait to shut off the monitor. It doesn't' actually shut it off, it just stops sending a video signal so it in effect shuts off.

-Greg

teammatt3's picture

He has: 2,102 posts

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I thought the main reason people left their computer on was so that the hard drive didn't wear out? I think it was something about turning on the computer really gives a nice yank on the disk, but I'm not sure.

I always turn my computer off at night. I should probably just turn off the whole powerstrip because that'll shut down my printer, modem, router, and speakers too. Save a bit more power.

Megan's picture

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At work we used to have to leave our computers on overnight because they'd sometimes run upgrades in the middle of the night and the computers had to be on.

Greg - that's why I try to actually unplug my equipment before I leave for the weekend. I should really do it every night when I go home. When I said "shut off my power" above I should have said turn off the power bar or unplug it from the wall.

pr0gr4mm3r's picture

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Turning off your computer may decreases the wear on your hardware WRT total runtime, but starting and stopping hard drives puts wear on them, too.

I usually turn off my computer at night in the summer because it uses energy and fights with the AC. In the winter, I will leave it on sometimes, especially when I have 80 million windows open.

Greg K's picture

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Have you ever gone in and looked at your power settings on your computer (at least in windows), If I remember right, they default to shutting off the hard drives after like 30 minutes.

In the computer labs on campus, used to find computers sitting there with like 4 browser windows open, or other multiple windows, with no one there... Impatient (well more unknowing) students... They come in, sit down at the computer which has been idle for over 30 minutes. They click on a program, and because it took about 20 seconds for the drives to spin up and "turn on", they would keep clicking on program becasue nothing came up in that 30 seconds. Then when everything pops up when the drive kicks in, they move to another one thinking something must be wrong. LOL

(students in a computer labs can be entertaining... except for then they kept shoving floppy disks into the zip drives, even AFTER we pulled each zip drive and painted the faceplate red).

-Greg

Renegade's picture

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Let me put it this way:
07:27:01 up 27 days, 6 min, 3 users, load average: 0.42, 0.28, 0.23

haha no, I don't turn off my computer, last time it rebooted was 27 days ago Sticking out tongue Smiling

demonhale's picture

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I think this will become a mythbusters type thread... I do turn-off my computer after 12 hours...

They have: 2 posts

Joined: Oct 2010

It is good to turn off your computer once in a while because the hardware parts can get really hot.The only computers which need to be on 24/7 are the computers which sustain different servers and they just can't be shut down without shuting down the server.{link removed}

He has: 17 posts

Joined: Oct 2007

A high percentage of PC hardware problems occur at power-on surge.
However, I turn off the PC at night, and also for the lunch break.

They have: 5 posts

Joined: Jun 2008

i never turn it off i just hibernate it

Michael James Swan's picture

He has: 400 posts

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I always hibernate mine, all of the time.
The only time it goes off is when i have just done an update.

They have: 91 posts

Joined: Jun 2008

I like to ensure that my computer also gets a good nights sleep.

They have: 112 posts

Joined: Sep 2006

I turn it off when I am out or asleep. Even if I am offline, its on for music, movies, writing etc.

Moreover, every mechanism needs rest, as well as our eyes.

They have: 76 posts

Joined: Jul 2008

Hello,
i turn off it when i do not have any work of computer. i also manage hibernate. so i donot face any problem.

They have: 28 posts

Joined: Aug 2008

I turn off my computer after finishing my work

EmilyJames's picture

They have: 15 posts

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I turn it off when I am done working. It saves energy and also keeps me off the computer no walking in the room and doing more work!

web08's picture

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Joined: Oct 2008

I leave my computer on 24/7 as I can make money with it. Yep, you could earn some money by participating in autosurf programs and peer sharing program such as Gomez! All you got to do is to leave your central processing unit on and turn off the monitor to save a bit of electricity energy!

They have: 32 posts

Joined: Dec 2008

I like to ensure that my computer also gets a good nights sleep.

They have: 41 posts

Joined: Dec 2008

Turn my PC off in the evening to save power. This is a pretty interesting article I came across http:// tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/14848 where the advise from Seagate is that heat is a big contributor for hard drives dying. If your PC is off it cant overheat.

They have: 7 posts

Joined: Jan 2009

I turn off my computer at night, and hibernate it when I know I will be away for more than twenty minutes or so. I haven't checked to see how much energy that really saves, but by now it's just habit.

They have: 3 posts

Joined: Jan 2009

i always turn off my laptop after i have finished my task or works.
So , my laptop no burnout.
and i can save energy in my country.Smiling

GianaSedeng's picture

They have: 8 posts

Joined: Jan 2009

Just hibernate it, I use windows xp

They have: 7 posts

Joined: Jan 2009

Yeah, when I used to have a Dell laptop, I would have to be very careful with it because it would easily overheat. There was no way that it could be running all day and all night without overheating or having some serious problems. Even with a stand, to help it so that heat wouldn't get trapped at the bottom, it still had trouble.

That's one reason that I prefer desktops, when you hibernate or turn them off, it's to save energy, not to prevent something bad from happening to the computer.

He has: 8 posts

Joined: Feb 2009

Well most of time I shutdown computer for saving electricity but hibernating is another good option

She has: 20 posts

Joined: May 2008

when you don't use your computer then turn off your computer for saving electricity. I always turn off my computer when I have done my work.

They have: 13 posts

Joined: Mar 2009

just turn off the computer to save electricity and prevent mysterious viruses... i always turn off my computer when im not using it...

They have: 18 posts

Joined: Feb 2009

I turn mine off every night, but I sometimes wonder why. It takes three minutes to get going in the morning, but that gives me time to get a cup of coffee. Smiling

Michael James Swan's picture

He has: 400 posts

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My laptop has been turned on and off many times, that now when i actually remove it from the power and decide to use it elsewhere whilst out and about.

The charge does not last very long. I believe that the laptop will stay on for less than 20 minutes which is not good at all.

~ Mike

They have: 18 posts

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MS2134, perhaps you just need a new battery?

Michael James Swan's picture

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Nigel,

That is a good idea, but the battery is not actually that old.

~ Mike

pr0gr4mm3r's picture

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How old is it? My batteries go out in less than a year.

Brutal's picture

They have: 134 posts

Joined: Feb 2009

When i sleep my computer sleep too. If you dont turn off your computer, it meens that you shortens his life in two. If you fear virus, just turn off your comp from internet.

They have: 9 posts

Joined: May 2009

When I`m not working i prefer to turn my computer off or go for hibernate sometimes,just to save my electricity bill.Its on almost the whole day so when i take a break my computer also takes a break by sleeping and best way to get rid of virus is to disconnect net connection wen not using and use some good anti virus like Avast wen accessing the net.

wazzupweb's picture

They have: 63 posts

Joined: May 2009

I turn off my computer when I'm done updating my blog. And also, I want to save electricity. But some of my friends told me that it's better if we leave it on? But I don't want to do that. My computer might overheat and I dont have money to buy a new one.

They have: 42 posts

Joined: Mar 2009

I never turn off my computer. I pay for internet, so I usually download something, for me or for my friends.

victorsmith's picture

He has: 48 posts

Joined: May 2009

I turn off to save energy, when i am not using it

during downloading or during system scanning I turn off monitor,

They have: 8 posts

Joined: Jul 2009

i turn it off all the time now, otherwise i think its going to overheat or use up uneccsary miliage Sticking out tongue

They have: 2 posts

Joined: Aug 2009

Hi JAY7...

It would be a good option to turn off the PC as it saves energy as it’s not even costly, precious as well.

It won’t make any difference if you turn it on with virus threat. You can turn off monitor or use hibernates to do this.

They have: 1 posts

Joined: Sep 2009

I would have to be very careful with it because it would easily overheat. There was no way that it could be running all day and all night without overheating or having some serious problems. Even with a stand, to help it so that heat wouldn't get trapped at the bottom, it still had trouble.
Regsrds,
shane - {{link removed by moderators}}

They have: 74 posts

Joined: Jun 2009

by shutting down the comp, we are not only saving electricity but also, protecting computer. the fan will get heated up if continously on, and it may create probs.

They have: 1 posts

Joined: Oct 2009

I leave my computer on 24/7 because i learn how to make cheap solar panels and make my on energy. I came across this website a few yrs ago http://helpoutowners.com/ that give you 3 site they highly recommended for crystal clear instructions on how to build your own solar panel systems at home and save energy.

They have: 6 posts

Joined: Oct 2009

i usually turn it off, but the point u have made is important...!

winttery's picture

They have: 5 posts

Joined: Dec 2009

i thin turining it off does not save power waste,but also keep ypur computer away from the virus. but when you have to use the laptop, you had better open the anti-virus software as a protection.

They have: 3 posts

Joined: Jan 2010

After finishing my work i always turn off my computer to save energy.
{links removed}

They have: 2 posts

Joined: Feb 2010

i mostly i am used to turnoff monitor,it used to save power
{link removed}

They have: 2 posts

Joined: Feb 2010

HI,

One i have finish my work i turnoff my computer,if it runs continuously it get slow.
secured loans

They have: 15 posts

Joined: Mar 2010

I have a really bad habit of leaving my computer on all the time, with quite a few things open Sticking out tongue My brother always tells me not to, but sometimes I just forget or can't be bothered with saving everything I have Sticking out tongue

They have: 1 posts

Joined: Apr 2010

Yes i used to turn off, just for 3 hours a day, does it harm more for my PC

mrhheather's picture

She has: 24 posts

Joined: Mar 2010

hello,
if u r not willing to turn off your computer then i suggest,the least we can do is, turn off the monitor when not in use...this will just save some power...
and Yes, i do turn off computer too, when not it use.

devashishseo's picture

They have: 18 posts

Joined: Aug 2010

I usually hibernate my PC .

{links removed}

They have: 9 posts

Joined: Sep 2010

I hibernate my pc, and when updating windows, i reboot after updates, and then again hibernate. I you want to boost your boot time, try this:

Step 1: Go to the Run dialog (Tip: Pressing the Win and then R buttons will bring up the Run dialog).
Step 2: In the text field, type in “MSConfig”, then press Enter.
Step 3: Go to the Boot tab.
Step 4: If you are using a dual/multi – boot setup, make sure you select the appropriate OS.
Step 5: Press the Advanced button. Check the “Number of processors” box and then select the maximum allowed number of processors.
Step 6: Exit MSConfig and restart your computer.

thesslstore's picture

They have: 8 posts

Joined: Aug 2010

There are no problem to put your PC on sleep mode or hibernate mode.
There are problem of some kind when you are always connected with internet than it is possible to hacking or virus spread otherwise for stand alone PC there are no problem.

Only one problem is for sleep mode your PC C:/ drive is occupied 1GB of space for storing session data.

They have: 4 posts

Joined: Nov 2010

Turn off computer, if you do not use it saves electricity, but will not make a difference regarding the virus is affected. Virus will attack when you have opened the virus infected e-mails, visit sites infected with a browser on insecurity. Better to keep pc in hibernate mood.

Spielmann's picture

They have: 43 posts

Joined: Dec 2010

It is not good for hardware to be on all the time, besides not sparing energy is wrong from the "enviromental" point of view. So my PC is off after finishing the work

igirlsgames's picture

They have: 6 posts

Joined: Jan 2011

I would standby , but now i think you had better turn it off .

They have: 2 posts

Joined: Dec 2010

I turn my pc off of coure if Im not gonna be using it whats the sense to have it on???? just westing energy for nothing

They have: 37 posts

Joined: Dec 2010

I turn off my pc when i done my work. Becuase if don't turn off then hardwares get really hot and then there is chance of hardware blast.

They have: 4 posts

Joined: Jan 2011

Turn off is very best option for saving electricity. Turn off and keeping stand by option no any virus will attack. Virus will attack only when you opened the virus infected e-mails or any virus included sites etc. then only virus is attack on your system.

They have: 4 posts

Joined: Jan 2011

Every machine requires rest for the workload it has been given ..so to save electricity and proper working of your device..it is good to provide rest to your device

They have: 18 posts

Joined: Feb 2011

Hi,
tks for all comments but one of most important thinks we should always keep in mind, data backup protection. because the data is important for any corporate industries and individuals entities.
In today's data lost problem is vary rare. there are many data recovery companies which help to recover your valuable data.

They have: 20 posts

Joined: May 2011

I always turn off my PC after finalize my work. It not only save its life also save power as well.

They have: 17 posts

Joined: May 2011

i turn off my computer after 20 hours lol

They have: 7 posts

Joined: May 2012

I turn my computer off at night, to save electricity and preserve the life

They have: 10 posts

Joined: Apr 2012

I always turn off my computer if I am not using it...

They have: 6 posts

Joined: May 2012

Hi,
I always turn off computer to save energy , when I am not using it...

tommy21's picture

They have: 13 posts

Joined: Jun 2012

Some times I turn off my computer. But most of the time I leave it.

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