Question for Jack Stoner and others

John Hawkins · Post by **John Hawkins** » 18 Feb 2002 4:48 pm

Jack ,

I have heard pro's and con's to this so not being a very savy person on a computer--(Hey Jack ,you already knew that from questions you have gotten from me in the past,)I need to know what is best to do here :
Should my computer be shut down ( using the accepable method --start- shut down etc. ) each night or is it best to just leave it running all the time??

I have heard both ways but I try and do the best thing for the operation of this thing as I can .

I would really appreciate your's (and other's) recommendations regarding this subject .

Jack ,thanks for all your past help !! Hope I can thank you in person at Dallas in March ! You have really helped me a lot with problems I've had with this monster they call a "computer " . Every piece of advise you have ever given me in the past has been right on the money !!

John

John Gretzinger · Post by **John Gretzinger** » 19 Feb 2002 9:04 am

In the old days when starting up a computer (actually the hard disk) tended to shorten the life of the components it was often better to not hit the computer with power that often. Today, the question may revolve around one of heat and cost. If the computer has adequate cooling and ventilation, and is kept clean (blow the dust out occasionally) then leaving it on is OK. I would recommend a UPS (battery backup and power surge protector) if you plan to do that. Also, if you have DSL or Cable Modem for your internet connection, then you must install a firewall (I use Zone Alarm) for your own protection.

The other item is cost. It does cost money to leave the computer on all the time. If you use it a lot for short periods of the day, it won't hurt to leave it on. If you get on in the morning and then don't touch it agian until the afternoon or evening, then you might as well turn it off and save the electricity.

Just my thoughts.

jdg

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MSA D-10 w/Nashville 400
'63 Gibson Hummingbird
16/15c Hammered Dulcimer

John Hawkins · Post by **John Hawkins** » 19 Feb 2002 2:41 pm

John ,

Many thanks ! I am on dial- up connection and really don't use the computer as much as most people . I usually check e-mail and the Steel Forum two or three times a day and that is about it for me .

I do have adequate air flow to the computer , connect it to a strip for surge protection , and try to blow it out once in awhile but probably not often enough .I'll try and do better in that regard .

I really appreciate you taking time to answer.
Regards,
John

Fred Murphy · Post by **Fred Murphy** » 19 Feb 2002 3:28 pm

I'm certainly not a computer pro, but I never go to bed and leave mine on. Two families in Indiana have been burned to death because of computer fires while they were sleeping. I don't know what causes them to catch fire unless maybe the cooling fan stops for some reason.

John Hawkins · Post by **John Hawkins** » 19 Feb 2002 10:07 pm

Fred ,

Well , that made my mind up in a hurry !!

Thanks for your reply and info.

John