rdnelson@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (Roger D Nelson) (04/11/89)
Standard apology for asking what may be an old question. What is the net's experience-based wisdom on the effect of leaving a micro-computer turned on? I have an Amiga 1000 with an external floppy, a printer and modem, all powered through a spike suppressor outlet gang. How is the longevity of the computer affected when there is no activity -- merely turned on -- and when there is occasional activity prompted by timer activated invocation of programs, e.g., a one hour period every 12 hours? How about the peripherals? There are chips and diodes that are on, warm and active -- do they get "used up" like an incandescent bulb? And does the transition shock of being turned on/off cause more damage than continuous running? I can imagine a function relating MTBF to the mean length of on-time or the frequency of cold-boots, or some similar variable. While I have your attention, may I expand the question to include systems that have a hard drive? And finally, is there a difference in regard to the question of continuous running for the various types of computer? At work I use IBM PCs and ATs, and wonder about leaving them running also. Roger Nelson rdnelson@phoenix.princeton.edu