Could I have damaged my computer?

[human_male]

Hi there. I wonder if someone who knows about PC hardware could answer this. I bought this new case a while back and I've noticed the power button has been sticking. You turn the computer on and the button sticks, and sometimes when you release it it shuts the power off again. So the computer starts to boot up then is switched off.

Could this conceivably damage anything? I've noticed games are suddenly running a bit slower. Could it possibly be that?

Thanks very much.

 

[Satyriasis]

Hi there. I wonder if someone who knows about PC hardware could answer this. I bought this new case a while back and I've noticed the power button has been sticking. You turn the computer on and the button sticks, and sometimes when you release it it shuts the power off again. So the computer starts to boot up then is switched off.

Could this conceivably damage anything? I've noticed games are suddenly running a bit slower. Could it possibly be that?

Thanks very much.

I think it's highly unlikely anything was damaged. I once bought a new case with just that problem. If it's under warranty, I'd take it back and have the seller replace the switch.

As far as games running slower, those things are subjective. It may seem that way because you're having problems.

 

[AlecBond]

empty

 

[linuxgeek]

powering a machine on and off multiple times in a short period has a chance of blowing the power supply. However, I wouldn't see that slowing things down. They would either work or not.

First thing I'd try towards speeding things up would be to run a defrag on your drive. If you are runing XP or older, will be under START->Programs->Accessories->system tools. If you under Vista, no clue where it may be since I am doing my best to not have Vista touch a machine I have to use.

 

[human_male]

Thank you kindly. It's good to know. I just get paranoid and occasionally require reassurance.

 

[SubNebGuy]

just so you know, newer PC's...that power button is actually a sensor that tells the power supply or Windows (depending on how far booted you are) to shutdown.

since it sticks, it turns off. as stated, not a huge deal. its also better to let your PC run 24/7/365, unless there is a lightning storm, or you're going on an extended vacation then you should power down.

I say this because when you're gone for days, if hardware fails, it could damage the component. I had a video card fan die, and the VPU chip burned itself up because it still was being fed power.

sucked.

 

[Calvin]

just so you know, newer PC's...that power button is actually a sensor that tells the power supply or Windows (depending on how far booted you are) to shutdown.

>> Would you mind clarifing the "sensor" part? .... to my knowledge the switch is still a fairly simple contact item with different software interpetations of how long the switch is or is not closed/open. Normally these switch options are settable in the BIO's.

since it sticks, it turns off. as stated, not a huge deal. its also better to let your PC run 24/7/365, unless there is a lightning storm, or you're going on an extended vacation then you should power down.

>> not really the case anymore... in fact, it is healthier for the OS to be periodicly shut down so it can order itself. Mainboards and components are well built these days... it does not hurt to power them down/up more frequently. Additionally... with todays higher wattage power supplys, it helps the environ's too.....
As for the storm part... I would agree with that... although all PC's (esp expensive ones) should have a UPS (a good one) between the wall and them.... this will always let the PC down as it should be. These days a sudden power loss may not hurt hardware as easily as it used to, but it can still raise hell with data corruption....

I say this because when you're gone for days, if hardware fails, it could damage the component. I had a video card fan die, and the VPU chip burned itself up because it still was being fed power.

>> You might benefit from running a server case from a company such as SuperMicro that has multiple types of temp measuring probes. The case that I run has not only the fan speed, & mainboard temp sensor, but an internal case temp sensor as well. This gets tied to the UPS and if a out of spec input occurs, the PC gets shut down automaticly.

sucked.

... yep... it is never fun to have something burn up.... esp if there are flames present....

 

[rydia57]

I always push mine slow. Computers don't like being constantly turned on and off anyway, esp... PCs. They tend to malfunction more. sooo.... let'em sleep, wait five minutes between powering on or off, just try not to turn on and off too much. Gad, they're picky ESPECIALLY the ones with Windoze XP on them... whew!

 

[Calvin]

I always push mine slow. Computers don't like being constantly turned on and off anyway, esp... PCs. They tend to malfunction more. sooo.... let'em sleep, wait five minutes between powering on or off, just try not to turn on and off too much. Gad, they're picky ESPECIALLY the ones with Windoze XP on them... whew!

it's almost like they are human is it not ?

.... my solution has always been to keep 2000 Pro around, have lot's of memory and processor power on hand, run the OS very lean, and to count on reloading every 6 months or so.... just depends on how well one can tweak the registry...

 

[Ran4]

No, the computer will not in any way work slower even if you turn it on and off lots of times. The only problems is that the hard drive needs to spin up and down all the time, but it's not like turning your computer on and off two times in a row changes anything.

Don't be so paranoid. Remember, it's almost impossible to damage a computer by clicking on something. (Well, i can promise you that there's no way you'd accidentaly overclock your computer or something like that...).

The reason your games is playing slower is probably because of adware. The computer isn't slower, but the software is.

You could start with changing to a better browser if you haven't already - if you're using Internet Explorer, you'd really want to change to something like Firefox (www.getfirefox.com). Then you need some kind of anti-adware program, such as spyboy search and destroy and ad-aware. Run a full system scan with those programs once a month or so, and make sure to remove what it finds (usually there's not much harm, but i really doubt you'd remove anything that a program would need to function).

When that's done, make sure you have a firewall. The built-in firewall in Windows XP works great. Make sure it's activated. Don't be to paranoid thought, don't set it to highest mode - you'd just frustrate yourself.
Also, make sure you update using windows update often. You should at least have Service Pack 2 installed, if you haven't, you could just as well reformat your drive right now (because without any firewall or virus programs and a pre-SP2 WinXP installation, you'd probably have hundreds of viruses and dangerous spyware).

 

[The Lone Badger]

If it gets shut down hard (not getting to do its shutdown procedure) you may suffer some data damage. Bitrot will be accelerated and you have a (small) potential to lose data. But unless you power-cycle many times in a short period you shouldn't damage the hardware at all.

 

[StonetheCrow077]

It is NOT a good idea to leave your computer running any more... it use to be, but not any longer... the reason it was good in the past was because parts had a tendency to fail (ie the power supply, fans, etc) when powered on and off... but, it was never good for the OS... it builds multiple errors in the system after a while that do not get "flushed" out until you reboot and run the POST, again... those parts are more dependable now, so it isn't a big deal... also, those parts are also much cheaper than they use to be...

And add to the fact that most people have Cable/DSL (or open access ports) internet with absolutely crappy or no firewall protection and you leave your PC wide open for attack, just sitting idle.... YES, when you are not on the "internet" your PC is still talking over the line...

 

[Le Jacquelope]

Powering the machine on and off rapidly can raise the threat of shorts, and powering on and off causes the hard drives to start up repeatedly. Like cars, starting up is the hardest thing on a hard drive. Shutting down right while the hard drive is still winding up is also not advised.

Be advised... get Seagates

 

[Calvin]

It is NOT a good idea to leave your computer running any more... it use to be, but not any longer... the reason it was good in the past was because parts had a tendency to fail (ie the power supply, fans, etc) when powered on and off... but, it was never good for the OS... it builds multiple errors in the system after a while that do not get "flushed" out until you reboot and run the POST, again... those parts are more dependable now, so it isn't a big deal... also, those parts are also much cheaper than they use to be...

And add to the fact that most people have Cable/DSL (or open access ports) internet with absolutely crappy or no firewall protection and you leave your PC wide open for attack, just sitting idle.... YES, when you are not on the "internet" your PC is still talking over the line...

then how would you explain my server that has not been off for about 2 years or so (and it is a very stable OS)... and then only for a couple of days...

it really makes no difference other than the power consumption....

Of course you do have a point about the firewalls... however, all my systems sit behind a hardware firewall and they never speak unless I tell them to....lol

However... for those of you that do want to see just how vulnerable their comps are, Steve Gibson of Gibson Research Corp has a 2 wonderful programs that you can run via the web that will give you a full report of just how vulnerable your comp is (or not)...
They are "Shields Up" and "Probe my Ports" (and no... it's not sexual)....

here's the URL... GRC

 

[Le Jacquelope]

then how would you explain my server that has not been off for about 2 years or so (and it is a very stable OS)... and then only for a couple of days...

it really makes no difference other than the power consumption....

Of course you do have a point about the firewalls... however, all my systems sit behind a hardware firewall and they never speak unless I tell them to....lol

However... for those of you that do want to see just how vulnerable their comps are, Steve Gibson of Gibson Research Corp has a 2 wonderful programs that you can run via the web that will give you a full report of just how vulnerable your comp is (or not)...
They are "Shields Up" and "Probe my Ports" (and no... it's not sexual)....

here's the URL... GRC

Wow. Fully stealthed.

 

[Calvin]

Wow. Fully stealthed.

yeah... me too... always have been... GRC is a great place to find some really innovative stuff... I have been using Spinrite for years....Gibson knows his stuff....

 

[StonetheCrow077]

then how would you explain my server that has not been off for about 2 years or so (and it is a very stable OS)... and then only for a couple of days...

it really makes no difference other than the power consumption....

GRC

if your running a server, then you know as well as I do that servers have extra tools to help maintain the integrity of the OS... and they are usually ran by experts who maintain them... a PC used by a regular user is not usually maintained... it just sits there... how many people actually know what MMC or a snap in is? if your running a server, you use MMC all the time...

 

[webber1998]

We never turn

our PC's off. We are a hardware/software design company and have lots of servers and PC's all over the place.

It is our companies opinion that the heating and cooling associated with powering off/on causes more problems for components. Our head design guy thinks this is really important with any components that are being built rohs compliant.

Remember now...this is just an opinion.... an not necessarily mine.

 

[StonetheCrow077]

our PC's off. We are a hardware/software design company and have lots of servers and PC's all over the place.

It is our companies opinion that the heating and cooling associated with powering off/on causes more problems for components. Our head design guy thinks this is really important with any components that are being built rohs compliant.

Remember now...this is just an opinion.... an not necessarily mine.

It's not a bad opinion... it does cause problems for components... but, realistically does that outweigh the problems you have with your OS? I'm an IT manager for a mortgage co... I make my users shut down every time they leave... and I have each desktop set to power down after 4 hours idle time... our aps are heavily SQL based and it certainly helps...

 

[webber1998]

Id say that

for the average everyday user, they should shut it down.

Again, my opinion.

 

[Calvin]

if your running a server, then you know as well as I do that servers have extra tools to help maintain the integrity of the OS... and they are usually ran by experts who maintain them... a PC used by a regular user is not usually maintained... it just sits there... how many people actually know what MMC or a snap in is? if your running a server, you use MMC all the time...

did I ever say I was running an MS product on the server?

but you are right; if I was I would use the console....

there were two main points I was trying to establish....

1. when the products are of excellent quality, leaving the computer on or shutting it off really makes no difference for the machine as long as it is protected from electrical aberrances... and of course that the user is comfortable with the power consumption when it is left on. I shut one of my systems down a fair amount because I do not use it enough to leave the 750 watt PS pulling juice constantly... even though it is a triple redundant supply.... just a matter of economics.
2. And that an OS that is used properly (a key word) and with reasonable maintenance, is not going to suffer more in a comp that is constantly running versus one that is shut down properly.

As always, it seems that most of the problems tend to be user related.... other than the normal percentages of flaws in the manufacturing process and the known problems in design...

nothing's perfect in life for sure.....

 

[AlecBond]

empty

 

[HornyHenry]

He's absolutely right

Quote:
Originally Posted by StonetheCrow077
It is NOT a good idea to leave your computer running any more... it use to be, but not any longer... the reason it was good in the past was because parts had a tendency to fail (ie the power supply, fans, etc) when powered on and off... but, it was never good for the OS... it builds multiple errors in the system after a while that do not get "flushed" out until you reboot and run the POST, again...

For any home user, or occasional user, turn it off when you are not using it for a hour or so. If you are coming back soon, leave it on.

A company with servers and lots of users - now that's a different story. Lots of good reasone for leaving them on all the time, except for replacing burned out parts, of course.

Someone compared this argument to a car. So, I guess we should leave our cars running all the time? What about Light bulbs, radios and TVs? Leave 'em on all the time so they won't burn up? I don't think so. Turn off your PC, (& internet boxes) when not using them and they will last MUCH longer!