Do you leave your computer on ALL the time?

TimTim Southwest PA Icrontian
edited September 2004 in Hardware
I just got a cable modem (FAST!), and have had my computer on for 4 days straight while... um... downloading video files and other stuff from the internet.

I wonder if it can hurt anything, mainly the hard drives, to be on constantly without a break.

I think there have been discussions on this in the past, but I don't remember there being a clear majority either way.

PS - search for Ines Cudna on the web. That's my kind of woman!!! And Nadine Jansen, Lorna Morgan, etc...
«1

Comments

  • muddocktormuddocktor
    edited June 2004
    I have several computers running 24/7/365 since I started running the Folding@Home project 2 years ago. I've seen no problems with it. :)
  • gtghmgtghm New
    edited June 2004
    I run 2 comps 24/7.
    Just make sure that you use a good AV and Firewall.
    I find that XP really likes to be on.
    Also use the NTFS file format instead of the old Fat32, that will help to keep data loss at a minimum.

    "g"
  • dragonV8dragonV8 not here much New
    edited June 2004
    Can't speak from experience to say one way or the other.

    All our puters, 10 of them (11 tomorrow) run 24/7 folding. The only time we shut them down is when an update requires it or it has slowed down for some reason.

    I have the intake fans set up so cool air blows over the H/D's.

    Touch wood, we have not had a problem with them running 24/7.

    Jon A.
  • maxanonmaxanon Montreal
    edited June 2004
    It shouldn't be a problem as long as your power supply is good and you system doesn't run too hot.

    However, do back up some of your *ahem* data cause the constant writing and spinning of your drives may incease wear (but its long term). Check the dust bunny situation every few months.
  • TheBaronTheBaron Austin, TX
    edited June 2004
    24/7/365
    like maxanon said, heat becomes an issue when you run you computer all the time, and its amplified by the fact that your fans being on more means more crap gets blown into your computer so you have to clean it out or often or, lo and behold, more heat
  • GnomeWizarddGnomeWizardd Member 4 Life Akron, PA Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    as much as I can which is normally 24/7
  • GargGarg Purveyor of Lincoln Nightmares Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    Install a program that can check your processor temp. like Motherboard Monitor, just to keep an eye on things. If temps are high, then there are probably some dust bunnies that need to be taken care of. And I second the idea to have a fan blowing cool air over the HD if it's seeing a lot of use (or even if it's not).
  • ArmoArmo Mr. Nice Guy Is Dead,Only Aqua Remains Member
    edited June 2004
    all day every day, its actually better to leave it running than it is to keep shutting it down after your done useing it. turning on a machine causes a big power spike to all the components in the machine :) broadband is the overloard of the internet
  • ClutchClutch North Carolina New
    edited June 2004
    24/7 here. If they are not running then that means that they are not folding, and that can't happen. The only time my computers are shut down is for an update or driver that calls for one.
  • edcentricedcentric near Milwaukee, Wisconsin Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    My folding rigs run 24/7, not a problem.
    My wifes machine is on and off 4 times a day.
    she has eaten a few Deathstar HDDs.
    The ones in my folders work fine.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    Well, I really can't shut the servers in the datacenter down, now can I? :D

    They use off-the-shelf components (except for my sun box) just like your PC, and they've been running for years non-stop. It's 100% okay to leave them on 24/7.
  • VicodinVicodin Chicago
    edited June 2004
    You guys are all slackers.

    I run all 5 of my home puters 25/8

    24/7... pffft, amateurs.

    (chuckle)

    As long as you keep the heat under control by the time any type of wear or tear would become an issue, you could just jump into your flying car and zip on down for replacement parts.

    Fold on.
  • TheBaronTheBaron Austin, TX
    edited June 2004
    spiderman will make you gay (i've been dying to say that)
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    I run all my PCs as much as I feel like. Usually 24/7.
  • EyesOnlyEyesOnly Sweden New
    edited June 2004
    Only thunder makes me shutdown my rig. :rant: BTW if heat is a problem it would show a lot sooner so even if you only had your rig on for a few hours, if it could overheat it would. I've had it on for days without seing higher temps then it's only been on a few hours.

    I second that dust thing though. Had a look at the dustfiler in my case and omfg it was grey not black. :eek: But that's not reason enough to leave it of. Hmm ware and tare. Parts in a modern computer will live longer then they'll get used anyway. No need to worry. :)
  • TimTim Southwest PA Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    Okay, I guess I can leave it on all the time. I was thinking of putting a case fan right in front of the hard drives for more forced air cooling to them. The case has a provision for one to be bolted in.

    I do run the NTFS file system with XP Home. Someone mentioned that.

    I still need to get a better heat sink for the processor, but I haven't tried overclocking it yet either.

    My system:

    Powmax case, 400 watt power supply, Abit NF7, AMD Barton 2500+ XP ***UNLOCKED*** week 31 CPU, 512 MB Samsung PC3200 memory (2 x 256), 20 GB and 80 GB Seagate Barracuda hard drives, CD-RW / DVD combo drive.
  • DogSoldierDogSoldier The heart of radical Amish country..
    edited June 2004
    I run all my computers 23/7
  • ketoketo Occupied. Or is it preoccupied? Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    why yes, I *have* seen your stapler.....

    4 systems here at home going 24/7 for about a year now.
  • MedlockMedlock Miramar, Florida Member
    edited June 2004
    Clutch wrote:
    24/7 here. If they are not running then that means that they are not folding, and that can't happen. The only time my computers are shut down is for an update or driver that calls for one.
    EyesOnly wrote:
    Only thunder makes me shutdown my rig. :rant:
    I agree with both.
  • edcentricedcentric near Milwaukee, Wisconsin Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    Tim, the only name that you need is Thermalright.
    Buy the biggest heatsink that will fit your mobo and let it rip.
    (after you overclock and, of course, you are folding aren't you??)
  • ClutchClutch North Carolina New
    edited June 2004
    edcentric wrote:
    of course, you are folding aren't you??)


    I was thinking the same thing. Tim where are you? :) You wouldn't want those cpu cycles to go to a waste now do you?
  • TimTim Southwest PA Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    Nope, not folding. Don't know if I ever will. Probably not. What if using those extra CPU cycles wears out the processor faster? You all know how hard it is to find unlocked AMDs these days. Mine cost me $130 on eBay!

    Okay, that's a dumb excuse.
  • entropyentropy Yah-Der-Hey (Wisconsin)
    edited June 2004
    You're right; it is:p And it doesn't wear it out faster...Overclocking (specifically overvolting) is what wears it out. For that matter, as long as you don't floor the volts your processor won't die from overclocking effects until it's about as useful, or less useful (because I never use them) as a paperweight.

    The moral of the story? Overclock that mother and fold for Team 93:D
  • fatcatfatcat Mizzou Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    leave on all the time: yes
    hurt anything: just the wallet when u see the electric bill (variable by amount of pc's)
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    CPUs are designed to last for 20 years.

    Overclocking, let's say it cuts it by 50%.. You plan on using your CPU in a decade?

    Didn't think so.
  • CreepCreep Hell Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    Hard Drives will burn out over time, they have done it to me, mainly Maxtors....
  • GargGarg Purveyor of Lincoln Nightmares Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    Creep wrote:
    Hard Drives will burn out over time, they have done it to me, mainly Maxtors....

    Yup. I've had some die after a few months and some last for six years and counting. You just never know the lifespan of a hard drive, you just know that heat will shorten it. Doesn't keep me from running rigs 24/7, but I'm careful about drive placement and airflow.
  • NiGHTSNiGHTS San Diego Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    What type of comparison could you make running the computer on and a lightbulb. Would you say like, leaving 2 lightbulbs on would equal the amount of electricity that your computer runs at overnight?
  • MJOMJO Denmark New
    edited June 2004
    I was running my rig 24/7 but then I received the electricity bill.* :eek2:
    And now I turn it off when I go to bed, it has become to noisy to sleep with anyway. :rant:;D
    Now it is more like 16/7.

    It should be better for the drives to be constantly on, the spin up and spin down cycles are not good for them.

    *Power is quite expensive here in Denmark.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    I run my PC 24/7... there's no better way to fold!

    I'd definitely encourage you to put a fan on those hard drives.

    And Thermalright does make the best CPU heatsinks on the market.
Sign In or Register to comment.