I want to hear some arguements as to why I should or should not shut down my computer every day or if I should just leave it running most of the time and shut down only occassionally.

Tell me which you think is best and why.

I let mine run but they sure get full of dirt inside

If you shut it down when you're not using it, you will save money on electricity. Also your cooling fan will last longer. Come to think of it, I cannot think of any legitimate reason to leave it on when it's not being used unless it's a server (then it would be in use).

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Bob McCormick
69 Malibu project

[This message has been edited by BobMcC (edited 01-03-2002).]

Pros:

I can jump up from the couch during a commercial, check my email, and be back on the couch in 5.4 seconds flat if I always leave it on

I can search topics on Chevelles.com after running in from the garage seeking a solution to my neverending mechanical problems, with only a minimal amount of tranny fluid dripping off my nose into the keyboard (it always seems to get in my hair) since I don't have to wait for it to power on

The gentle whirring of the cooling fans is sleep inducing

Cons:

Dust builds up inside like MAD

Sparks shoot out of your dusty CPU, frying all of your components (OK, just my experience)

Cha-CHING! goes the electricity bill, but I'm caring less and less about that since I've realized that my mother in law has to leave at least two TVs on at all times, regardless if she's home or not



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70 Impala Sport Coupe (350)
67 Chevelle (I wish, still looking and saving)
http://www.geocities.com/ledsled_26m

When you shut down, some temp files and memory areas are cleansed. This is sometimes called the "therapeutic shutdown" and is not all bad. I once went for 4 months without shutting down and the computer got pretty slow. A shutdown brought it back to life. Once per week would be good I suspect.

.

[This message has been edited by Rich-L79 (edited 01-03-2002).]

I shut it down once per week or so or if something starts getting hinky. I have one photo processing application that really chews through memory so it always works better shortly after a reboot. I just always wondered why.

Can these things really use that much electricity? I always turn off the monitor, scanner and printers until I need them so only the CPU is running. I also have scientific software that runs in the background as a screen saver when the machine is not in use so I would not be able to do that if I shut it down every day.

I also vacuum it out every few months to keep things running well and staying cool. It's also a good source of warm air on these cold nights in my basement office.

Rich, are you running the SETI software? I did that for a while two machines ago, but haven't installed it on the newer computers.

Mine always runs better after a reboot, so I reboot every couple of days.

I just hate waiting for it to boot up when I get ready to use it. That's why I don't turn it off.

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My Web Page (http://www.landry-family.com) (updated 11-24-01)

"America will endure!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #04556
'68 El Camino

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cjlandry:
Rich, are you running the SETI software? I did that for a while two machines ago, but haven't installed it on the newer computers.

Mine always runs better after a reboot, so I reboot every couple of days.

I just hate waiting for it to boot up when I get ready to use it. That's why I don't turn it off.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Yes, I run SETI. The current machine rips through about a packet a day. The current version of their software has not caused any problems unlike the older version which occassionally locked up my machine. I wonder how many people around the world participate in SETI's program? I've processed nearly 400 packets myself.

I don't know how many, but I'm gonna go download it again. I think it's an important program (SETI) that needs all the help it can get.

Thanks for reminding me. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

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My Web Page (http://www.landry-family.com) (updated 11-24-01)

"America will endure!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #04556
'68 El Camino

Oh, I also use a utility called RamBooster which occassionally cleans up the RAM since Windows doesn't do as good of a job managing it as they say. The problem is occassionally RamBooster kicks in to free up memory while something else is currently processing. The conflict usually doesn't cause too much trouble but it does slow things down temporarily.

I normally leave my server running, My PC for goofing around is on when I need it.. Takes 30-40 seconds too boot up and be useful. I recommend you at least restart your PC once a day, It clears out your cache, memory, swapfile and most temporary files; and gives you a fresh machine! that way you don't have too worry about lockups as much, and you'll still be able to check your e-mail in 5.4 seconds. SETI, United Labs Research, and Screen savers will tend to chew up memory and resources, so make sure you restart your PC at least 2-3 times a week or you will see degrading performance.

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X-Ray View of my Chevelle :D (http://www.normieschevelle.com/sideview.jpg)
Getting Closer (http://www.normieschevelle.com/passfull.jpg)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rich-L79:
Can these things really use that much electricity?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Lets figure this out, a typical PC has a 250 watt power supply. So in 1 hour it will consume 0.25 Kilowatt hours. In 24 hours that would 6 Kilowatt hours per day, multiply for 31 days equals 186 Kilowatt hours (kWh) per month.

On my last electric bill, I've been paying about .0745 per kWh, so it runs about $13.85 per month not including any service charges. Versus leaving it run for an average of 8 hours per day your cost should work out to $4.61 per month.

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JeffK ACES #01510
Team Chevelle Gold #72
496/Richmond 6-Speed
JeffK@chevelles.com
Jeff's Chevelle Page (http://www.72chevelle.com)