IT Queries: Computer problems answered

I have two computers. One with XP the other Vista Home Prem. Is it better to turn these computers off when not using them; use sleep mode, or leave on?

From a power saving point of view, turning them off is the best thing to do. From a reliability point of view leaving them running is better.

You can use sleep and hibernate modes as a sort of halfway compromise. Of these, sleep is the better as you use a tiny fraction of the power but the computer is still running. Hibernate shuts the machine down and can have problems with slow reboot.

There’s a few other problems with leaving the computer running: It may get damaged by storms or power surges and if a fan fails it could overheat.

Our own preference is to shut the machine down.

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