should i leave my computer on 24/7?

im tired of all the reformating and restarting and all the computer problems ive had over the last 2 weeks, do you think its ok to leave my computer on 24/7 from now on? i usually shut it off at night, but im worried one day ill restart it and itll happen all over again with the problems. is it ok to just leave it on? will my parts wear out faster? will my power supply not last as long, etc.?

I leave 2 of my computers on 27/6, I only shut them off for a night every week. One of them has been that way for the past 5 years or so, and the other one has been like that for about 10 months now. No problems so far.

Heat is the biggest concern. You can leave it on for long periods of time as long as it remains cool. Well-cooled servers can last for a long time without being shut down. 

I would agree with what the other posters have said-just reboot it or turn it off when not in use-if your not using it, why waste the electricity or push your computer more than you have to? Here's something else to consider:

Taken from Games for Windows: The Official Magazine (formerly known as Computer Gaming World) Issue #5 April 2007:

"Science fact: a sleeping PC still uses more energy than one that's off."

I would agree with what the other posters have said-just reboot it or turn it off when not in use-if your not using it, why waste the electricity or push your computer more than you have to? Here's something else to consider:

Taken from Games for Windows: The Official Magazine (formerly known as Computer Gaming World) Issue #5 April 2007:

"Science fact: a sleeping PC still uses more energy than one that's off."

Drunkentig3r

I leave 2 of my computers on 27/6, I only shut them off for a night every week. One of them has been that way for the past 5 years or so, and the other one has been like that for about 10 months now. No problems so far.

 

Heat is the biggest concern. You can leave it on for long periods of time as long as it remains cool. Well-cooled servers can last for a long time without being shut down. 

DeeJayInphinity

obviously the more you use your computer the more wear and tear there is on the components. you can leave it on 24/7 but i would recommend a reboot every once in a while. Windows just needs to restart every once in awhile or it gets really slow.zackattack784

[QUOTE="DeeJayInphinity"]

I leave 2 of my computers on 27/6, I only shut them off for a night every week. One of them has been that way for the past 5 years or so, and the other one has been like that for about 10 months now. No problems so far.

 

Heat is the biggest concern. You can leave it on for long periods of time as long as it remains cool. Well-cooled servers can last for a long time without being shut down.

blazethe1

That would be a typo. 24/6 is what I meant.

What the hell do viruses have to do with not turning off your computer? It's called AVG and I get a big fat zero every time I run a scan.

Since I turn the computer off once a week, that takes care of your memory problem.  

i want mine to last years and years, but im tired of erros, ncderek

I would not want a computer with problems for years and years. You should get those problems fixed! (Try System Mechanic)

Maybe leave it on all the time until you get those other problems fixed, otherwise I would turn it off when you go to bed, school, etc.

[QUOTE="Drunkentig3r"]

I would agree with what the other posters have said-just reboot it or turn it off when not in use-if your not using it, why waste the electricity or push your computer more than you have to? Here's something else to consider:

 

Taken from Games for Windows: The Official Magazine (formerly known as Computer Gaming World) Issue #5 April 2007:

 

"Science fact: a sleeping PC still uses more energy than one that's off."

supergamer1289

Thats the point...it was a joke... 

My computer is never off until it needs the occasional restart for a software upgrade or something. I dont think I'll be adding anymore hardware to it for a while (once i build my next rig, i'll probably get a TV tuner and a 750 GB HD and turn it into a media rig) but until then, it seems to have run just fine for the last 4 years. Interesting fact, I've NEVER reformatted this computer. It probably needs one bad, but my all progams list goes over 4 pages lol. Would be a pain in the butt to reinstall everything.jjjhsmith