Should I turn off computer at night?

[Richard in AZ]

Not much of an answer form "mariaitorres".

In order to clear any RAM memory hangs, it is recommended that you reboot at
least once a day. That was sage advice from the Win 9x days, but could
still apply to an XP machine. If you are not using the computer for
downloads or automatic maintenance at night, turning off the computer will
accomplish the reboot and will save you some money on electricity. The wear
and tear on the power supply etc. by startup is insignificant. On the
other hand, if the computer is very slow to start, or has startup problems,
leave it on until you determine how to fix those problems.

I turn my computer on when I get up and turn it off when I go to bed. I do
turn the monitor off if I am going to be away from my desk for any extended
period of the day. (I work out a home office).

 

[Charlie Tame]

Personally I never turn computers or monitors off because I've seen some
people who are "Fanatical" about doing so and their machines invariably
suffer more hardware and electrical failures than those left on. Part of
this is due to electrical stress, part of it due to thermal stress.

The quality of boards has improved and there are far less chips in "Sockets"
to creep out thermally, but it used to happen a lot.

So I guess your suggestion is about the best compromise. I would definitely
NOT advocate turning it off every time you leave the desk from habit, I saw
at least 3 high quality (CAD) monitors destroyed in 2 years because of that
and the user wouldn't be told If you are going to be away for an unknown
but possibly long time set the screen saver / power saver. If you know you
are going to be away for a long time no problem turning it off. This guy was
up and down every 5 minutes and the monitor never had chance to get warmed
up

Charlie