Switching Off

[Starman]

What's the best way to turn off your computer aside from the
"start/turn-off" normal method. I heard it's safe to turn off the computer
by holding down the start button for five seconds. is this correct?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

What's the best way to turn off your computer aside from the
"start/turn-off" normal method. I heard it's safe to turn off the computer
by holding down the start button for five seconds. is this correct?

You mean the physical switch on the box?

The default behavior of doing that is an orderly shutdown, and yes,
it's as safe as any other orderly shutdown. However, you need to check
in Control Panel | Power Options to see what your computer is set to.
If it's not set to the default, it can be decidedly unsafe.

 

[Starman]

Okay, I'm talking about the power on/off switch. Sometimes my montior won't
turn on, so I assume without the montior on, the safest way would be as I
just outlined..

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Okay, I'm talking about the power on/off switch. Sometimes my montior won't
turn on, so I assume without the montior on, the safest way would be as I
just outlined..

No.

As I said, you need to check your power options to see what pressing
that switch is set to do. It doesn't necessarily work the way you
think it does.

 

[David B.]

Incorrect, holding the power switch until the PC turns off is the equivalent
of pulling the power plug out of the wall socket, do this only as a last
resort. Depending on how your power options are set, you can press and
release the power button and the PC will shut down properly.

 

[Unknown]

Holding the power off button in for 4 or more seconds is used when the
computer freezes after shut down has been clicked. Just press and release
does nothing if frozen..

 

[David B.]

You don't say, it's obvious that a press and release will do nothing if the
PC is locked up.

 

[Unknown]

Why is it obvious? If you press power off one would expect power to go off.
(unless knowledgeable about computers)
You assume EVERYONE has your knowledge?