Running a computer 24/7 ?

Post by **Liz Turner** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:21 am

Jack

I've sent you a PM re your PC difficulties.

Liz

Montrose Budie · Post by **Montrose Budie** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:12 pm

Many, many moons ago, in the mid/late 1980s and the days of the Amstrad 1512 and early IBM PCs, many computer components had much shorter, sometimes quite limited, lifetimes compared with today.

So it was better to switch off the computer and peripherals when not in use, as the extra stress generated by switching off and on was more than balanced.

These days, however, components are at least an order of magnitude or three more reliable; but it's still the case that switching on and off causes all sorts of transient stresses on components, which are ideally avoided; so that there's no longer a problem with component life in leaving your computer switched on 24/7.

If you have broadband, then you may want to consider disconnecting that link when you are not active, but be aware that this may 'upset' quite a few bits of your software!, which, these days, are often programmed to use a broadband link automatically for updates.

It's still a good idea, however, to switch off your computer and reboot every few days, as conflicts between software packages can build up to the point where your computer slows down significantly.

It can be very interesting to use the Windows Task Manager to check just what is going in in the foreground and background!

MB

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:30 am

Hello Montrose,

Just in case no one knows about the Amstrad 1512.
http://www.old-computers.com/MUSEUM/computer.asp?c=183

Compared to the latest bargain basement, entry level, Desktops.

Manufactured 1986 - (2008)
CPU speed: 8 MHz - (4000 MHz)
RAM: ½ MB - (1024 MB)
Drive: 1 to 10 MBs - (160,000 MB)

It was a bit before my time. Well not really but a bit before my computer time.

Alan

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:25 am

Currie wrote:Hello Montrose,

Just in case no one knows about the Amstrad 1512.
http://www.old-computers.com/MUSEUM/computer.asp?c=183

Compared to the latest bargain basement, entry level, Desktops.

Manufactured 1986 - (2008)
CPU speed: 8 MHz - (4000 MHz)
RAM: ½ MB - (1024 MB)
Drive: 1 to 10 MBs - (160,000 MB)

It was a bit before my time. Well not really but a bit before my computer time.

Alan

For my son's 4th birthday in 1986 we went for the Atari 520 ST.
http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=20

My husband had a 1040 as it was the funkiest machine around for musicians.

Regards,
Annette

Post by **AndrewP** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 3:11 pm

About 1980, we had a Sinclair ZX Spectrum - with coloured graphics

Processor - Zilog Z80. I can't remember the speed, it didn't seem relevant at the time.

RAM - I can't remember if we had the standard 16k version, or the upmarket 48k version.

No hard disk - the permanant storage was on audio cassette using a normal household cassette player.

It had enough get-up-and-go to run Space Invaders, Pac-Man and the like.

All the best,

AndrewP

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:30 pm

AndrewP wrote:About 1980, we had a Sinclair ZX Spectrum - with coloured graphics

It had enough get-up-and-go to run Space Invaders, Pac-Man and the like.
All the best,

AndrewP

We were addicted to Manic Miner! It was also my introduction to adventure games but I can't remember the name of the one I played on the Spectrum.

Regards,
Annette