Permanent Power Feed to PC

barak

robt wrote: »

As far as I am aware it is standard for a Dell computer ... to be set up in this way from the factory

I don't know about the latest Dell PCs, but my Dell Dimension 3000 manual states "Power button: Press to turn on the computer.
NOTICE: To avoid losing data, do not use the power button to turn off the computer. Instead, perform an operating system shutdown. [i.e. Start - Turn off computer - etc]

It only recommends using the power button as a last resort.

humfer - What does your Owner's Manual say?

Awec

Not sure what the problem is. If setup correctly, windows will detect the power button being pressed and execute System32\shutdown.exe. Same thing it does when you click shutdown in the start menu.

macman

I was interpreting the OP's comment as meaning that they held down the power button to achieve a forced shutdown.

kwikbreaks

Even if they do it won't damage the hard drive physically although it could cause some data to be lost.

Regarding the original question - it really doesn't make any difference either way whether or not the PC gets disconnected from the mains - doing so is very unlikely to lead to damage and not doing so will only cost a maximum of £1 or so a year and even that isn't a total loss most of the year because it will heat the home a tad.

The fire risk must be negligible too as I suspect most PCs don't get disconnected and when did you ever hear of a house fire being caused by a PC? That's not to say it couldn't happen naturally.

gjchester

robt wrote: »

Which it will be. As far as I am aware it is standard for a Dell computer (what the OP is asking about) to be set up in this way from the factory, and indeed an OEM install of Vista on my PC also has this setup as default.

I thought Vista by default put it into standby, as it takes so long to start this makes the PC startup seem faster.

isofa

PROLIANT wrote: »

As there is no mechanical switch between the PSU and 230V AC Mains, every time you switch it on and off at the wall you are relying on the MOSFET Devices to handle the switching of the mains voltage in to the PSU each time, like many electronic components they only have a limited life cycle and when they near, reach or exceed that life expectancy they either go short circuit - bang and magic white smoke!
Or go open circuit - no bang and no magic white smoke.

Also constant firing of the Motherboard voltage regulators has a similar effect over time, so the moral of the exercise is....leave it plugged in.

I've been turning my systems off at the mains (all through a UPS) ever since I've owned computers, never had a failed PSU in either a PC or a Mac... and a couple of my towers are around 8 to 10 years old (certainly the PSUs are at least). I leave them on all day, but power everything off properly at the mains after shutdowns. It saves a bit of power (which adds up over time) and adds to the safety aspect, you never know, you could leave it on whilst out for a few days, a component could fault in the PSU and cause a fire, unlikely, but it does happen.