streib@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Allan Streib) (08/02/90)
I have an PC-XT clone w/20meg hard drive which I leave on 24 hrs a day. I feel that this is not harmful to the PC itself, but what about the hard drive? Any opinions, out there? Thanks- -- Allan (streib@silver.ucs.indiana.edu)
medici@dorm.rutgers.edu (Mark Medici) (08/02/90)
streib@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Allan Streib) writes: >I have an PC-XT clone w/20meg hard drive which I leave on 24 hrs a >day. I feel that this is not harmful to the PC itself, but what about >the hard drive? Any opinions, out there? This has been the subject of much philosophical and technical debate. However, speaking strictly from personal experience, I have had only a single failure of all systems (mechanical or electronic) left powered on 24hr/day. That failure was DAC (digital-analog convertor) in the video output circuit on an IBM PS/2 Model 80 motherboard, which was probably defective from the start. My experience includes 5 LAN servers running 24hr/day for 3 years, a BBS on an original IBM PC/XT with Segate ST225's, and my personal PC/AT with 100MB RLL drive. Only one of these systems has a UPS, though all have surge/spike protection. However, I do recommend: - Turn off your display and printers when they will not be used for extended periods. - Ensure that your system is installed where it is not subject to excessive vibrations, dust or heat. - Physically disconnect it from power and phone lines (especially phone lines) during local lightning activity. Got a fried modem this way, once. - Use some form of power protection (e.g., surge/spike protector, or better yet, a UPS). Of course my personal experiences may deviate from averages. Good luck.
hart@blackjack.dt.navy.mil (Michael Hart) (08/07/90)
In <Aug.2.10.30.45.1990.11726@dorm.rutgers.edu> medici@dorm.rutgers.edu (Mark Medici) writes: >streib@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Allan Streib) writes: >>I have an PC-XT clone w/20meg hard drive which I leave on 24 hrs a >>day. I feel that this is not harmful to the PC itself, but what about >>the hard drive? Any opinions, out there? >[stuff deleted] My $.02 worth -- remember, though, you get what you pay for!! Your mileage may vary. I worked for 13 years as a computer field engineer. This question has been asked by everyone responsible for the running of any computer worth more than 87 cents. I refer you to the "light bulb law". That law being: When do light bulbs burn out?? _when you turn them on_ There is a large surge of current through the device; energy where there was none, etc. Kinda like being woken up by a bucket of water in the face! Most of the engineers (real, degreed) I've spoken to told me the worst thing you can do to a machine is turn it on. But, once it's on, LEAVE IT ON! >My experience includes 5 LAN servers running 24hr/day for 3 years, a >BBS on an original IBM PC/XT with Segate ST225's, and my personal >PC/AT with 100MB RLL drive. Only one of these systems has a UPS, >though all have surge/spike protection. >However, I do recommend: > - Turn off your display and printers when they will not be used > for extended periods. =====^^^^^^ Absolutely! No reason to kill your monitor. Modify as needed, if you have a reliable screen saver. > - Ensure that your system is installed where it is not subject > to excessive vibrations, dust or heat. > - Physically disconnect it from power and phone lines (especially > phone lines) during local lightning activity. Got a fried modem > this way, once. I've never had a storm induced problem. Use your own knowledge of how the power utility is in your area. Tho, if you're worried, unplug it. I knew someone who unplugged _EVERY_ electric appliance in the house when it rained!! > - Use some form of power protection (e.g., surge/spike protector, > or better yet, a UPS). ^^^^^^^^^^^ _ABSOLUTELY_ When you spend Multi-Thousands of your hard earned $$$$$$ on a machine, be smart enough to spend another $150 or so for either a good power conditioner, or small UPS. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael G. Hart hart@blackjack.dt.navy.mil / mhart@dtrc.dt.navy.mil DTRC/DoD | "Wherever you go, there you are."- me DISCLAIMER: If you want the Navy's opinion, talk to Secretary Cheney.
kabra437@pallas.athenanet.com (Ken Abrams) (08/09/90)
In article <hart.650028982@blackjack> hart@blackjack.dt.navy.mil (Michael Hart) writes: > >>>I have an PC-XT clone w/20meg hard drive which I leave on 24 hrs a >>>day. I feel that this is not harmful to the PC itself, but what about >>>the hard drive? Any opinions, out there? > [Quotes and quoted quotes deleted] > >I refer you to the "light bulb law". That law being: When do light bulbs >burn out?? _when you turn them on_ There is a large surge of current through Even though most of the components in a PC are NOT light bulbs ( and don't behave like one either), I would agree with you that leaving it on is best if the ONLY consideration was hardware reliability (and it is connected to a stable power source). As I see it, however, hardware reliability is not the only issue and a case can be made for the theory that a properly designed disk drive will wear out from heat and friction and dirt before it will suffer any electrical damage from being started and stopped once a day. I think that all the energy wasted by millions of PCs left on 128 hours a week when they are not being used is a bigger and more important issue than whether or not it will extend your repair cycle from 3 years to 5 years. There is also a small extra potential for a fire in a running device. I have been in the computer industry for close to 25 years, mostly as a technician. I have weighed all the arguments and I have decided to turn MY machines off when they will not be needed for 6 hours or more. I even turn the Xenix box off over the weekends. Like a lot of other things in modern life, this is not strictly a technical call but it has some moral undertones too. Make your own call but don't overlook part of the factors in the process. -- ======================================================== Ken Abrams uunet!pallas!kabra437 Illinois Bell kabra437@athenanet.com Springfield (voice) 217-753-7965