Z06Dan
February 18th, 2002, 08:17 PM
Is it better to leave a lightly used computer up 24/7? Is it better to have the pc go into "sleep mode"? I have heard that spinning up the drive is harder on it than keeping it at speed? How often do you schedule defrag or scan disk?
Specs:
1.4 T-bird, Abit KT7A-Raid, 7200 RPM IBM
Theoran
February 21st, 2002, 02:30 AM
There is alot of debate on this subject with no real answers. Here is the way I see it.
A lightly used computer doesn't need to be on unless you are using it. Why? Because there is no point in keeping it on and having all the moving parts run for nothing. If you need to use it then turn it on. If you plan on using your computer later on, let say, over the next couple of hours, then turn your monitor off and let your machine run. At the end of the day when you are finished with it, turn it off.
A heavily used computer will most likely stay on almost all of the time due to the fact that you will want to run defrag, scandisk, and virus scan overnight while you sleep.
Recommendations for ScanDisk, defrag, and virus scanning.
Lightly Used computer
ScanDisk: Once a month. Run @ night
Defrag: Every 2 weeks. Run @ night.
Virus Scan: After every update. Run @ night.
Heavily Used computer
ScanDisk: Every 2 weeks. Run @ night
Defrag: minimum once a week. Run @ night.
Virus Scan: After every update. Run @ night.