Power policy "Turn off hard disk after x time"

[d3v]

Hi all, I once read using this power saving feature is stressful on the hard drive and so have always disabled it for clients however I'm wondering if the claim that is reduces hard disk lifespan is true? What do you guys think?

 

[NYJimbo]

On a laptop when "on AC" I always set it to never or similar if the laptop has custom power software (most Lenovo and Toshiba), but I don't change the "on battery" setting. I only work on laptops when plugged in so only the "on AC" type settings matter to me.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Very early on in my computer career...the husband of a friend of mine worked for Intel, and he gave me advice. "Turning a computer on and off is like kicking someone in the side of their head...just leave it on if you're a daily user."

Someone else early in my career told me that hard drives get the most wear and tear during power up.

I've followed that advice ever since. My computers stay on 24x7....unless I'm going away on a longer vacation...then I may turn off some home rigs.

And I've given that advice to my clients...and many of my clients have followed that, and have computers still running many many years after most others have replaced them due to failure. In other words...seem to have an exceptionally high reliability track record.

 

[AlexT]

Not to mention exceptionally high electric bills

 

[mikeroq]

Always run my desktops 24/7. I only sleep/turn off my laptops for thermal reasons.

 

[UCanFixit]

I just retired a Dell Dimension 8400 that had the original 80GB Seagate HD, and I have been power cycling that thing (multiple times) on a daily basis (since circa 2005). I always power-down my desktop when unattended for a long period of time. Just my preference.

 

[shellofinsanity]

I havn't noticed any problems with it, but I don't keep computers for more than about a year before i replace everything for newest faster stuff.

 

[UCanFixit]

I havn't noticed any problems with it, but I don't keep computers for more than about a year before i replace everything for newest faster stuff.

That's a very good point! So, if one intends to replace a computer every few years, due to technological advances, then who cares whether a drive's longevity will be extended by using either of the methods in question?

 

[altrenda]

Doesn't Windows, more XP than 7or 8, benefit from a reboot from time to time?
XP seems to start slowing down after about a week of regular use.

 

[mr m]

Very early on in my computer career...the husband of a friend of mine worked for Intel, and he gave me advice. "Turning a computer on and off is like kicking someone in the side of their head...just leave it on if you're a daily user."

Way, way back in the 80's my company sent me for a two week course on computer room environments. Electrical, cooling, heating and static were all covered. Bottom line is to leave any electronics on 24X7.

It's the thermal shock of a cold appliance being turned on that kills electronics. That in-rush of current creates crazy heat within the components.

Think about when a light bulb blows. Always when first turned on. Rarely in use.

 

[shellofinsanity]

That's a very good point! So, if one intends to replace a computer every few years, due to technological advances, then who cares whether a drive's longevity will be extended by using either of the methods in question?

I have had failures but they are in the warranty period always, also I do have an external drive enclosure with a 2.5in 40gb laptop drive, used it regularly since 2005 without any issues, and I used it when I was making service calls, I also use it when I work on a family's computer, it hasn't given me any issues. Right now a hard drive should last quite a while even with power cycling, technology seems to have advanced alot since the 1st gen hard drives.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Doesn't Windows, more XP than 7or 8, benefit from a reboot from time to time?
XP seems to start slowing down after about a week of regular use.

In my experience (quite considerable)....no. Windows 95...yeah it got sloppy and needed a reboot about once a week. But Windows NT 4 would run and run and run. And when Windows 2000 came out...it followed NT 4's footsteps...even better. XP, as hopefully you know, was also built on NT...and it's been the same since.

I'm very very anal about how my systems run. Was a hardcore gamer, insisted on the having a system that was as close to 100% stable and faster than anyone elses as humanly possible. If it so much as squeeked out a mouse fart or any sort of pause, hang, system quirk, lockup....I'd move mountains to find out why and fix it. Bottom line...they stay running for weeks and weeks on end....rebooting perhaps once a month or once every two months to shove in some Winders updates.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Not to mention exceptionally high electric bills

What...2 dollars on that bill from a desktop?
Back in the days of CRT monitors....those used a heck of a lot more juice than a desktop computer at idle. So when I was done, I'd power off the monitor...but leave the computer running. Now a days with LCDs...they barely sip juice...I just leave that to fall asleep.

Computers at idle barely use much. If you're running something that pegs the CPU, like Folding@Home...yeah they'll start bumping your monthly 'lectric bill. But just sitting there doing nothing...it's a trickle of juice going to them.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

What...2 dollars on that bill from a desktop?
Back in the days of CRT monitors....those used a heck of a lot more juice than a desktop computer at idle. So when I was done, I'd power off the monitor...but leave the computer running. Now a days with LCDs...they barely sip juice...I just leave that to fall asleep.

Computers at idle barely use much. If you're running something that pegs the CPU, like Folding@Home...yeah they'll start bumping your monthly 'lectric bill. But just sitting there doing nothing...it's a trickle of juice going to them.

Depends on the desktop, mines a monster uses about 125 watts idle, that comes out to about 11 dollars a month.

Edit: but yeah i agree with leaving desktops on.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Depends on the desktop, mines a monster uses about 125 watts idle, that comes out to about 11 dollars a month.

Edit: but yeah i agree with leaving desktops on.

What have you measured that with? Typical current i series processor based computers should be in the 25-35 watt range.

Ultra small form factor rigs will be in the teens...like 13 watts...the little rig I have here in my kitchen is like...11.

Some power rigs, mid to entry gaming rigs with multiple HDDs....up in the 50's to 60's.

What are your specs and what is it actually doing instead of really being "idle"?

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

What have you measured that with? Typical current i series processor based computers should be in the 25-35 watt range.

Ultra small form factor rigs will be in the teens...like 13 watts...the little rig I have here in my kitchen is like...11.

Some power rigs, mid to entry gaming rigs with multiple HDDs....up in the 50's to 60's.

What are your specs and what is it actually doing instead of really being "idle"?

geforce gtx 680 think theres 4 data hard drives in there right now, 7-8 fans. I use the cyber power ups to measure.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

geforce gtx 680 think theres 4 data hard drives in there right now, 7-8 fans. I use the cyber power ups to measure.

Yeah we could say you're way above the norm.