Leaving Compact Macs on for hours...

[Garrett]

Ever since I got my 1991 Macintosh Classic recapped and back up and running, I've noticed I've developed the bad habit of turning it off and back on a couple times a day. As in I'll do something with it, turn it off, and turn it on a couple hours later when I want to do something else. I've read this can be harmful to the computer, I'm guessing especially to the (original Quantum ProDrive LPS) hard drive.

Is it okay to turn the computer on and leave it on for several hours, even if I'm not using it? It has an AfterDark screensaver installed to protect the screen from burn-in, and I could probably remember to turn down the brightness when I power it on or before I leave it.

 

[dcr]

FWIW, I used to run an SE/30 as a server.  It did not have a screensaver.  I kept the brightness all the way to black on the display when I didn't need to use it.  I don't remember how many years I ran it that way.  Needs a recap now but the screen (last I checked) is still good.

 

[Dog Cow]

Is it okay to turn the computer on and leave it on for several hours, even if I'm not using it? It has an AfterDark screensaver installed to protect the screen from burn-in, and I could probably remember to turn down the brightness when I power it on or before I leave it.

Hard drives of the time (and still today of course) were engineered to be able to run continuously for months on end. But there are different factors at play now because this equipment is 25, 30+ years old.

I'll leave my compact Macs on for long periods, unattended, but only if I'm still awake and in the house. Yes, I turn down the brightness. If I leave the house, I switch them off. When I go to sleep, I switch them off.

The concern is that a RIFA safety capacitor blows up, or a flyback transformer blows up, or some other component melts down and causes a problem with nobody there to attend to it.

 

[Torbar]

The concern is that a RIFA safety capacitor blows up, or a flyback transformer blows up, or some other component melts down and causes a problem with nobody there to attend to it.

(probably depending on the model), but the RIFA caps are often always getting power, even when the switch is off,  so for machines that have them, make sure to either unplug them from the outlet, or switch off the power strip they're connected to

 

[Garrett]

I think I'll just leave it on unless I go somewhere or go to bed, as Dog Cow pointed out. I just didn't know if there was any risks associated with leaving it on for long periods of time. It probably is better for it than switching it off/on multiple times throughout the day.

When I switch it off, I usually unplug it for the reason Torbar pointed out.