[net.micro.atari] Leaving It On

reid (02/12/83)

>From reid Fri Feb 11 22:16:19 1983
To: Info-Atari@SU-Score
Subject: Leaving it on....


Does anybody know what the dangers are of leaving an Atari 800 with the power
on indefinitely/permanently/for long periods of time???  I have a pretty bad
problem with oxidation of the contacts on my OS and some memory, and I find
that if I simply leave the thing on, it is not a problem.  I am a little
apprehensive, since I really don't know much about the hardware (other than
the fact that the power supply is supposed to be less than terrific) and I
wondered if anybody has any experience with this or knows what is likely or
unlikely to happen.  I have a small muffin fan that I could press into service
if it is better for it to run cooler....

Thanks for any info..

Glenn Reid
  reid @ wisconsin

knudsen (02/17/83)

I can't vouch for Atari, but at least twice I have accidentally left my
Radio Shaft CoCO on for 24 hours, with no ill effects.
Most electrical equipment reaches a "thermal equilibrium" with its
environment after an hour or so, after which nothing gets any hotter,
so if your Atari ran all evening OK it can't hurt.  However:
1) Your machine is vulenerable to power line glitches, etc, all the while
it is on.  Why expose it if not using it?
2) Solid-state devices don't last FOREVER, maybe only 5 to 10 years of
operating lifetime.  Of course, all our toys will be obsolete before they
wear out, but....
mike k