Do you leave your computer on all of the time?

[Erich Kriegler]

Should you do that or switch it off when it is not in use?

 

[oulton]

switch it off

 

[GravyMonster]

If it's a server, leave it on.
If it's not, turn it off.

Easy.

 

[KaHn]

Work computer is normally left on due to projects open and stuff running.

Home laptop is only left on when I forget about it

KaHn

 

[Erich Kriegler]

Thanks, it's just I heard someone say switching it on and off "wears out" the parts faster. Sounded like rubbish though.

 

[bigdan676]

Mines only left on if i am downloading stuff overnight, otherwise its of most of the time.

 

[antijoke]

I do if there is a confession thread on the go.

 

[Cosimo]

On during the day and off at night unless certain tasks are running.

 

[Cosimo]

Thanks, it's just I heard someone say switching it on and off "wears out" the parts faster. Sounded like rubbish though.

Switching off at work policy never harmed pcs.

 

[BigBoy]

My PC is on 24/7 as it serves media to the PS3 and other PC's in the house, when its not in use its in low power mode so not all that bothered about it, uses around 100w at Idle.

 

[IRLeetly]

Usually off at night, but if there is a Steam sale on, well that's another story.....

 

[Efour]

off if its not in use.

 

[Yeggstry]

Leave it on, as I do folding on my machine (other Distributed Computing Projects available, shameless plug )

 

[The__Malteser]

On during the day. On sleep when I study/not using it.

Off during the night unless I'm downloading.

 

[freak2002]

Home PC - Off when not in use.
Work PC - On all the time, I have so much started up all day cant be bothered to shut it down and start it up every morning.
Office Mac - On all the time but goes to sleep after 30 mins quiet time.

 

[4T5]

Turn it off at the end of the night & on again first thing in the morning, All other times I just put it in sleep.

 

[Beasty]

Work PC stays on, it takes ages to drag my profile off the server.

Home PC gets turned off any chance I get!

 

[Col_M]

Home PC - turn off
File server - on 24/7

 

[Spuj]

Turn it off when it is not being used. If I pop out for 30 mins on a Saturday say then I would leave it running but if I plan on being out for a while i'll switch it off!

 

[TruffleShuffle]

Technically there will always be a minute power spike when you turn it on, which is why often things go 'bang' when switched on, when previously they had worked fine.

Also, hard disks are more likely to fail at startup. As an example, the vast majority of drive failures on servers are after extended power cuts (where the UPS has also drained) becuase this is the first time the drives have been powered down, often in years.

However we are talking having hardware for much longer than your average 'hardcore' PC user would have. Perhaps your granny would experience a PSU failing becuase of old age, but i would suggest that most people on here don't have a PSU older than 5 years.