Computer How To Help Lessons

This is a question I get asked all the time. There has been much speculation and opinions on whether we should leave our computers and monitors, on, or turn them On and Off. My experience has been that it really does not matter. I am sure there is someone out there who will disagree.

I have worked with computers since 1987. Since sometime in 1993, I have owned my own computer and since sometime in 1996, I have run two and then three computers, networked together in my home, as I do at this time. The only time I ever turn them off is when I go on vacation or if I am home and there is a severe thunder storm, and then I unplug them as well. (more on thunderstorm unplugging later)

My electricity bill remains constant with little change, at least none having to do with running three computers constantly, anyway. So, I have determined that running three computers on all the time, has not "raised" my bill to any degree that I would notice. Of course, one could call the electric company and ask. Maybe over a really long period time, pennies would add up, running three, but even if that were the case, running one would barley register, I would think. At any rate, it certainly would not be a staggering amount.

Wear and tear on my computers and monitors as a result of leaving them on constantly, has not affected any of them that I am aware of. Dust collects on them, as well as in them, whether they are on or off. The battery operated clock continues to keep the time, whether they are on or off. The fans (motherboard and power supply) both collect dust on or off. Perhaps....you may need to have a fan replaced sooner than you would if you turned your computer off, but those fans can go at any old time for just any reason, or because they are just worn out. I have probably had to replace three fans since I have owned computers. Some lasted a really long time (years) and some only lasted for a very short time (months). Sometimes fans just die for no apparent reason. (Sort of like all the security flaws in Microsoft Internet Explorer ) <Grin> The good news is, fans are not expensive to replace and can be done in a matter of few minutes, once you have the new one in hand. The bottom line, of course..you have to decide for yourself and you also have to have someone who will do it if you don't want to.

Pros To Leaving On: Always available, Access to Instant message and E-mail 24/7

Cons: Accessible to others, unless you Password protect it, you have to wait for windows to load.

Other Options: Let them go to sleep...........Another subject for another time that also has a lot of controversy.

If you do decide to turn it off, then I have one suggestion for you to consider. The

on/off buttons are not really strong. The constant on/off has caused many to just

decide they would not work anymore. I always suggest to my clients that they

should use the "power surge" strip to turn the equipment on and off with.

Replacing those buttons can be expensive if they decide to stop working. So, do a

normal shut down and then turn everything off at the "surge protector" It is much cheaper to

replace a surge protector than to replace a computer button.

Thunder and Lightning Storms will happen sooner or later. It is always a better

idea to turn off your computer equipment during a storm. However, lightning travels through lines and it does not care if the items are on or off.

True, certain objects may have a tenancy to "draw" lightning when they are on and not when they are off, but more important is... that lightning can travel any line from where it hits, directly to the object at the other end...........so, if you do not unplug your computer equipment and lightning hits an outside line, it is not going to matter if you "turned the equipment off or not.

Although I, personally only know one couple that this did happen to, the threat is obviously real and I have no clue as to what the statistics might be of it happening to you or me.

The other option, of course is to have really good insurance coverage ;)

I hope you have enjoyed this article and I have answered your questions. Please feel free to E-mail me

on any topic you would like to see me write about and if I have knowledge of the subject, I will write about it.

Should I Leave My Computers/Monitors On or Turn Them On As Needed?

Did you find this article helpful? This information is FREE, but I will graciously accept a donation if you feel the desire to do so...............any amount, no matter how small, will be welcome. There is no obligation to do so, but in the event that you do , I want to give my thanks in advance.

There's always a lot of speculation and opinion on the many workings of computers. Even

though I am knowledgeable in computers, I can only offer you my own experience and that

of others I have worked with. The bottom line is, you, the actual computer user will have

to decide some things for your self after reading my information or anyone else's... what is

best for your individual needs, especially where there seems to be a "blurred line" or a "difference of opinion" and in many cases, it is just a personal choice. Opinions vary widely............even from the experts. .

In this article we explain how to save photos (and other graphics) to your Computer when you get them in your E-mail or on the Internet.

THE BUG

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23454

OUR CREED: Any Business arrangement that is not profitable to the other person will, in the end, prove unprofitable for you.

The bargain that yields mutual satisfaction is the only one that is apt to be repeated. Quote from B. C. Forbes

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Page last updated: April 19, 2006