Category: Let's talk
I usually leave my desktop pc on pretty well most of the time, so I don't have to wait for it to boot up when I want to use it, and secondly, I also have an ftp server up as well, so therefore, so that users can have access to my server, I usually leave the pC on most of the time. A couple days ago, my parents were saying to me that leaving the pC on all the time, could potentially be a fire hazzard, and they insisted that I had to shut it totally down when I'm not there. However, over the past two days, it's been totally fine. So my question that I wanna put out there, is can a pc that is left on for long periods of time, potentially be a fire hazzard? Or are they just making up nonsense.
Hi. I think it is safe to leave the computer on. A friend of mine told me he left his for two weeks and nothing happened. so yes, I think it's safe. you might want to listen to what the other zoners say though. laters.
It's ok to leave it on once in a while as I do on Thursday and Friday nights for virus or spyware scans and also windows updates that can take forever to finish. I hear if you leave it on all the time the computer lasts for 2 yrs. Then I started to notice it was a bad thing when I saw my electric bill. And not to mention it runs the memory down on the thing. So it's best to shut it off.
I've had mine on with reboots every couple of days for almost 3 weeks. It's still here and going just fine, so I don't think it's an issue. If anything, the computer will get hot and shut itself off. However, if u do plan on running the pc for an extended period of time and r afraid of it overheating, just get an additional fan.
example. linux. pc on. 4 years. still working. has not been restarted. with the correct insulation, this is pretty safe
My work computer here's been on for the last 3 or 4 years. I might turn it off once a year for a day or 2 but that's about it! no problems with fire, had a few fan's go out but that's all.
Ok, thanks for that. What could cause smoke to come from a PC? Reason why I ask, is because that's what prompted their saying this.
As far as desktops go I leave my new one on all the time. They say if you are going to do that just do a reboot about once a day. I don't even do that just when the pc is getting sluggish, but yeah like I said I have left mine on every day accept for if I leave the home for a few days. As far as laptops go i did that to mine and it fried the hard drive. I hear it's not good for laptops as they run hotter.
Too me, all of this is personal prefference.
Troy
Ok troy, thanks for the help man.
Yeah leaving a desktop on isn't bad. Just reboot it every couple of days to clear the memory out, especially if it is used a great deal. A laptop isn't the best thing to keep up and running. It does run hot. I normally put my laptop in stand by when I am not using it at home or at work. My desktop has been running for four years now, and knock on wood it keeps on going for now. I haven't had any over heating problems with it and the fans are working very well. The other thing is to make sure that the computers are kept in a well ventalated area.
this is just a thought but it is quite possible that your parents saw dust being blown out of the computer and not smoke! especially if you didn't smell any burning then this is far more likely. over time the insides of computers do ecumilate house hold dust.
as far as whether or not you should keep it switched on or not it really is up to the individual user. i, like many others that have responded to this topic, do choose to leave mine on for days and even weeks at a time and have never had any problem with doing this. in fact it is even supposed to be better for the system because switching it on and off all the time is constantly exposing the internal parts to temprature change where as leaving it on all the time keeps it farely constant. but as i say it really is up to you.
Well. I leave my oon my pc on durring the day with no day. I do shut it down at night without a problem. My dad shuts his off when ever he is not using it. I here that it does tend to cause a heading ptoblem if you never turn it off. I find that if I shut down my pc the night than it runs better the next day after I get up in the morning.
Just my thoughts.
I leave my computer on pretty much all the time unless there's like a lightning storm then I turn it off or if I know I'm going to be away from my place for awhile then that's another time when I turn it off.
I think everyone has very reasonable answers. I think everyone has there own prefrence as to how they run there computer.
I leave my desktop PC on 24/7 to run my FTP server and web site. Have had no problems with doing that. I would not do it with a laptop though... you may run into trouble at some point.
Chet
yeah, I heard it is safe to leave your computer on all the time, It's better for the CPU to do that actually,but it is good to turn it off sometimes to give the system a break.
i've left mine on over night before now with no problems at all. the only thing I will do is to turn mine off if i'm away from my apartment. if you are out and there is a fire and the insurance can get out of it by saying your computer was on or something like that then they will try that one. they won't pay out for negligence.