When you're finished using your computer is it best to log off, shut down, restart or just walk away?

Question

Windows 95 operating system. I usually restart, thinking it might clean up temp files and make the computer ready for the next person. Three people use our computer at home. Am I right? Does restarting do anything compared with simply logging off?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Contrary to one of the previous answers, computers do not "need sleep." They are electronic machines and don't require being turned off in order to work well. Think - how does Yahoo Answers stay online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Simple, the servers that host the site are never shut off, proving that no such "sleep" requirement is necessary.

Windows 95 is an interesting situation since it has a large number of flaws that have been fixed with newer versions. One such flaw is that it has a spontaneous memory error after being on continuously for 42+ days. It's a proven characteristic, and gave Microsoft quite the black eye for a while. In my opinion, I would shut off the computer, but not for the reasons others have mentioned. Primarily - a powered on computer wastes energy. With electrical costs already very high, every little bit saved helps the environment and your wallet.

On the flip side, starting a computer from being powered-off is hard on the hardware. Things heat up and cool down during the cycle, causing pieces to expand and contract tiny amounts, which can spell disaster for older systems. This usually isn't much of a problem, but it is much more rare for an "always on" system to experience a failure than for one that is constantly being turned off and then back on every day.

Perhaps the best option would be to get a new computer that is more tolerant to power cycles... then you can turn it off without worrying about whether or not it will come back up the next time you turn the switch back on.

Answer 2

that's the best idea. i mean, it does more than just logging off--a fresh start completely is better than just "erasing your tracks", in a way, right? hope i helped! ;)

Answer 3

Its best to just shut it off. Computers are like humans, they need sleep. When you shut it down then it's as if they're sleeping.

Answer 4

I usually log it off cuz I scheduled the antivirus, windows update and other things to be launched while i'm sleeping.

Answer 5

All of the above.

Answer 6

You should turn it off... not like its human or anything but my desk top burn out because we left it on all the time and we over-heated the motherboard...so we had to get new one. and its alot of trouble trust me.

Answer 7

log off then shut down

Answer 8

i just turn off the monitor, or you will damage your computer if every day you restart it off and on.

Source(s):

brother works at best buy

Answer 9

turn it off cuz it dose not take up power but even i dont do that i just log off (sadly)
:(

Answer 10

it depends.... if the one who is going to use it next will use it right away after you, it is best to just log off but if the computer will not be used within the hour, it is best to shut it off so as to save electricity and prevent overheat.

Answer 11

If you have your own password just log off, or you need to log off your e mail and any other on-line banking or etc, and also better to clear all your search sites you visited..

Answer 12

It is best to log off, then shut down and if you happen to have a DSL connection to turn it off to protect your Info from unauthorized access to your computer.

Source(s):

Dell Equipment usage suggestions

Answer 13

I usually have to restart anyway because Yahoo causes errors..
( LOL who knew??)
But as a rule, I don't shut her down unless I will not be using the computer for a day, or there is a storm coming. In that case, I shut down, unplug, and make sure the cord is at least 4 feet away from the wall in case of a power surge. It can jump that far!!
Other than that, I leave it on, because it uses less energy than turning it off and on over and over. I also defrag at least once a month.
Hope this helps.

Answer 14

Turn it off -- saves energy. It only takes a few minutes to boot up again, and you will save money and electricity for the non-use times.

Answer 15

I put mine into standby mode usually overnight unless it's doing something. I rarely cut it off and only restart it like once a week. Every time you restart the computer it adds wear and tear to the parts. It's better to keep it on. Same premise as a diesel truck that you always see on the side of the road or wherever, they always leave the engine running because it does less damage than turning it off and back on does.

Answer 16

just walk away

Answer 17

You are getting quite a mix of info. In reality, it depends upon how much you use the machine, computer. The more frequently you use it, the less frequently you want to turn it off and on because of the wear. The less you use it, then the more you will want to turn it off because of the power consumption. You'll have to judge where the priorities are. By the way, the piece of hardware most effected is the hard-drive followed by other pieces which spin such as CD-drives and floppy drives. If it moves, it wears. If it moves fast, it wears fast.
If you decide to leave the computer on due to usage, re-starting is usually better than simply logging off. It does allow some "clean-up" of page files and the RAM can be re-set. It is kind of like a set all variables to zero in a piece of software.

Answer 18

Shut down at the end of each night, this gives your computer time to sort of recharge. Otherwise it seems to get all jumbled.

Answer 19

I walk away. Computer will cut off within hours.

Answer 20

loging off allows u come out of ur user account but easily allow others to use their account and hav nothing to do with ur settings.

Answer 21

Just walk away. It is easier, saves time, and actually uses less power than turning off your computer and restarting it would.

Source(s):

Recommendation from a computer programmer

Answer 22

it is best to shut it down.....give it a break

Answer 23

...not that I am aware of, unless you forget to/ or don't know how, to stop running programs.

Answer 24

I usually turn my laptop off to conserve energy

Answer 25

Shut down.

Answer 26

I log off...turn off the computer...cover both monitor & computer with computer covers...we have a cat that just loves to sleep on the monitor. Cat hair is bound to shed into the monitor, so I cover it.

Answer 27

If you are using a computer from a Internet cafe, then you should always log off, after you finish your work. If you are using at home and it is your own computer then it does not matter.

Answer 28

Log off of all of your settings and turn off your computer.

Source(s):

Been around awhile.

Answer 29

Other than saving power, It keeps your fan motor from wearing out. If you are on cable it helps the computer to get a better lock on your internet signal. In the case of a storm it prevents your hard drive from getting fried. And did I mention you save power?

Answer 30

IF YOU RESTART IT MIGHT HELP,BUT I RECOMEND YOU SHUT IT DOWN IT MIGHT JUST MAKE IT GO A LITTLE FASTER

Answer 31

turn off if your done for the day
STAND BY if you will come back within say 3 hours
restart only when something freezes on your computer it does not freshen up anything
logging off is like leaving it on...
if you will come back within an hour, leave it on.