Do you leave your PC on all the time?

[Deleted User]

My PC has been on continuously now for exactly 7 days. I have a little app running in the system tray called "Windows Uptime" which was on a magazine cover disk about 5 year ago, it monitors total uptime, how many times your PC has crashed etc and records the last time you booted up the PC. It also records the total idle time since the last boot. Mine says my PC has been idle for 5 days 11 hours out of the past 7 days.

What do other people do, do you shut down the PC when you are away from it or do you just shut down when you're finished for the night and reboot when you first use it the next day? or do you leave it humming along 24/7?

I always switch off the screen when I'm away from the PC, just the box still running.

Oh and I never switch off my router regardless.

Reluctant_spender

I switch mine off when I am not using it, although I tend to leave the router on.

john_s_2

I run a program called Prime95, which is part of a 'distributed computing project' - it searches for very large prime numbers (to put it simply).

I started doing this as I wasn't switching my PC off during the day as I knew I'd want to quickly check my emails again in half an hour, or something or other. So I thought the PC might as well do something while it's not being used.

Trouble is I got intrigued by it and now leave it on 24/7 if there's someone in (don't like to leave it on when there's no one in). I turn the screen off if I'm not going to be around.

DCFC79

I turn the pc off at night but i leave the router on as i use it with my xbox 360

I'll_Be_Frank

If I'm going to be away from the computer for more than hour, then I'll shut
it down. Mainly so I don't have to pay for electricity.

Also, I shut it down if I am going to be out of the property or going to bed.

My brother left his on once and came back home from work only to find his
PC tower had gone up in flames and burnt itself out. Luckily, it was on
a concrete floor and not near enough to anything inflammable. So I take no chances!

Frank.

DatabaseError

Like john, I also participate in a distributed computing project, one called folding@home, which simulates protein folding, and may contribute towards a cure for cancers. Main thing for me is, if my pc is on anyway it may as well be doing something, the search for large primes has applications in cryptography, folding has its application in health, and the other large project, seti@home searches for ET. If you want to join one of the projects it will cost you nothing (except the leccy you are already burning) could i steer you towards the folding one, and, if you have a high end pc, could I ask you to fold under my name, so I get the points (points are worth nothing, but there are team competitions and rankings, everyone likes a score

mancitychick

I turn my off when I have finished using it and put it back on when I want it again. So in a day I may turn it on or off a 2/3 times.

Router is on all day but turned off when we go to bed.

evilgoose

If I'm having food or going watch a tv prog (and concentrate on it) I'll put the computer on standby. Otherwise I'll power it down, if going out or going to bed.

A computer will draw more power as it starts up, but that only lasts for a minute or so. Also components will be put under a little extra 'strain' been powered up then down then back up etc. So its worth putting it into standby if you're going to be back and fore to it over a period. But then if its going to be unused for a while then its better to power down.

donnajunkie

i turn both the pc and the modem off when i am not using it. it is mainly to save electricity but also to save the pc because surely with anything electrical the more it is on the quicker it will break down. i know computers are designed to be on alot but that does not mean the rule doesnt apply.

Conor_3

Deleted_User wrote: »

My PC has been on continuously now for exactly 7 days. I have a little app running in the system tray called "Windows Update" which was on a magazine cover disk about 5 year ago, it monitors total uptime, how many times your PC has crashed etc and records the last time you booted up the PC. It also records the total idle time since the last boot. Mine says my PC has been idle for 5 days 11 hours out of the past 7 days.

So its sat there wolfing electricity even though its done nothing for 80% of the time it was left turned on?

Airwolf1

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