Is it hard on the computer to shut it down when not in use? Would it be better to just leave it on and let it "go to sleep" on it's own?

We shut down our computer's every night...sometimes after use if we aren't going to be on them for a while.

As long as it is shutdown without pushing the off/on button it doesn't cause any problems. (at least none that I have ever come across)

Shutting it off also stops any hackers from accessing your computer while not in use.

If you use the off/on button... it places a bunch of "stuff" into a temp file which can/does take up a lot of space.


Abbie

Thank you Abbie...that is what we have been doing but were recently told that it's hard on the computer to have to start up and shut down.

If I'm not going to be using mine for some time, too (several hours), I also shut it down completely (and un-plug the surger, too).

From a techy friend of mine...

"There was a time that it was thought that turning computers off was hard on the hard drive...

In the last few years with all of the advances in computers this is no longer true.

By using the shutdown mode it saves electricity and allows the computer to completely cool... in hybernate and sleep mode there are still "things" running on your computer.

It doesn't hurt a computer to completely shutdown when not in use."


Abbie

Alffe

Very interesting question. I’m not sure why but I put my puter to sleep after each use.

At night I shut it down and turn off the modem.

Yes I still use a modem. Tried to use a wifi (LINLSYS) but couldn’t get the instructions to work so I’m still in the dark ages with a modem.

BOB FROM N.O.

I tried to set up a Linksys wireless router for my aunt ,,, it worked for a bit . i went home and then the next day it wouldn't connect for her
So then I spent 4 more hrs on it with my laptop also and it would see the signal but could not get it online to the internet....

I brought it home to try to figure it out - same problem, I didn't want to chance messing up my DSL modem settings so Linksys is back in the box.

We have D link wireless router and it was a breeze to set up, so I plan to find a D link for my aunt.

The Linksys had a lot more confusing settings to it...
sigh...

Hi Jo*mar

Thanks for your reply. When I had trouble with the Linsys wireless router I assumed I was at fault. Your reply tells me I should try again with a different router.

There are a lot of occasions when it would be con•ven•ient to cut the connection to the modem.

Thanks
BOB

Our Linksys is doing great (knock on wood). You do have to keep that password... when you work with it tho.

Our NetGear was awful.

Configuring with a laptop can be tricky depending on how the laptop is set up. Our old one was maddening, but that Dell program was lost when we put in the new harddrive, and now there is no problem. The new one with Win 7 has no problem either....but I think my son did something to bypass some internal thing. I remember we had a thing that searched,, on the old one...that was a bummer!