Issue 32.13
25 years ago, there were some important guidelines about computers that helped them last longer. The question is whether or not those guidelines are still valid today.
Back then, you always turned off the monitor if you were not using the computer. The reason was that, the tube type monitors (similar to a tv set) would develop burn in (an image that sets itself on the screen permanently) if left on the same content for more than 20 minutes or so. I have seen a number of old screens that you can read some words on even after the screen has been unplugged for months. As color graphic screens came on the scene, burn in was still a problem so enterprising programmers created a new idea – screen savers. These programs would change what was on the screen every few seconds if you were not using the computer which kept content from damaging the screen. The general idea was still that it was best to turn off the monitor if you were not using the computer, partly because the monitors used a lot of electricity and transmitted radiation near the screen that was a worry.
By contrast, computer techs generally advised customers to leave their computer (but not the monitor) on unless they were going to be away for more than a few hours. Many chose to leave the computer on all the time. The reasons were that you didn’t have to wait for three to five minutes or more for the computer to “boot up” and the components (hard drives, fans, modems, etc.) were susceptible to damage and wear and tear if they were started and stopped repeatedly.
Now jump forward to the present day. The new monitors use very little electricity (often less than a standard light bulb) and do not “burn in”. Computers still have screen savers, but they are now more of a cosmetic or picture frame feature rather than a necessity. Monitors turn off their display automatically after a period of inactivity and most computers turn off the display after a time as well. You seldom need to turn off the monitor. Computers also use less electricity now but the components are much more resistant to damage from on/off cycles. They now have “sleep” and “Hibernate” modes which effectively turn off the computer, but keep what you were doing in memory so they can quickly come back to life when you press a key, click the mouse or touch the power button. Sometimes these modes don’t work well, so you have to evaluate if you want to use them on your specific computer, but turning off the computer or leaving it on is more a matter of personal preference than a guideline. It is still a good idea to turn off the computer for at least a short time once or twice a week. This refreshes the system and clears some of the clutter out that runs in the background.
One final note. It is important that you not shut off the computer with a power bar switch. Computers need to go through a shut-down cycle that makes sure your data is safely stored, programs are shut down in the proper order and the operating system is not performing a function that could corrupt your data or hard drive if interrupted. Tell the computer to turn off and wait for it to do so as it was designed to do – and remember to back up anything that is important to you.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 32 years, 23 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or through his website at www.bitsnbytescomputers.com.