I just got a desktop, first one in over 10 years, and was wondering if it's bad I turn on and off the thing a few times a day. Back in college, my buddies would leave their thing running all day everyday, don't think I ever saw them turn their computers off, even during vacations and weekends.

I'm used to my laptops, where I'm always turning them off due to heat problems, so I'm doing that with my new desktop. Is it bad?

 

No. Are you saying that you have heat problems with a new desktop??

 

It is fine just to leave it on. If you don't want to leave it running all the time, just turn it on once in the morning and off once at night.

 

I've always been told that turning it on and off a lot is bad. A lot like a car and short drives as it's just wear and tear. But, I shut my computers down every night.

 

Heat problems with my laptops not desktops...

Also, the computer smells, like of new plastic, when will that smell go away?

 

Theoretically, switching it on and off frequently *should* reduce the life of the components in the computer.

In reality though, the effect is insignificant. By shutting the computer down at night (or when you're not using it), you safe a few cents in electricity.

 

also make sure you have a good firewall and antivirus potection.

 

just turn it on and off as many times as you want.

who cares if the component wears out.

computer evolution is soo fast that in a few years it will become obsolete. its not like a car where you use it for more than 10 years.
so go ahead and turn it on and off as you want.

 

Or you could simply disconnect your Ethernet connection when you leave your computer as well... (or shutoff the wireless connection )

 

had my computer for about 5 years now. i turn it on whenever i'm using it and off when i'm not using it. no big deal, it's working fine..just a little slow but i got cable to back it up =D