Leave Thinkpad On All The Time?

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kjarrett · #1 Post by **kjarrett** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 7:08 am

On my desktop PC, it's a non-issue. Stays on 24/7 and protected by a fat 650w UPS.

Wondering if I should be doing the same with my new T42p. UPS isn't an issue (though power conditioning is).

I know it's generally better to leave systems on than to power/heat cycle them. Thoughts?

-kj-

Dave5049 · #2 Post by **Dave5049** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 7:38 am

I turn EVERYTHING off when it's not needed. I think heat/cools cycles is a non issue.

#3 Post by **JaneL** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 7:44 am

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... ight=#9147

Elhabash · #4 Post by **Elhabash** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 12:53 pm

You might also consider energy consumption...
Generally it's preferrable not to waste energy unnecessarily.

On the other hand, the most energy-efficient solution for a home server is a Centrino computer.

hiengu · #5 Post by **hiengu** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 1:55 am

I have several desktop computers and they pretty much stay on 24 / 7 just cuz I do nightly builds and also host a game server.

Note: I've also heard that electrical devices don't like the "sudden" charge/discharge, etc when turning on and off ... as well as the constant changing of temperatures due to physical expansion and contraction.

As far as laptops go, I've never had a reason for them to always be on so let them go into standby or hibernate when they need to be. Then again, I also will leave it running overnight or for a few days using 100% CPU if what I'm working on requires it (ie. a long compile).

I guess my answer to this question is that I don't think it matters. I'd hope that IBM laptops were designed to handle either condition well since these are mobile devices and with mobile devices you'd expect to be turning it on and off often.

none · #6 Post by **none** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 1:59 am

I leave my T30 on for weeks at a time, with the battery taken out. Works just fine... On the other hand, I DO have a damaged memory bank on it. It was caused by heat from the hard drive, but I am not sure if it being on all the time had anything to do with it. It's a common T30 problem.

Chobits · #7 Post by **Chobits** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 11:20 pm

Seems like my t41p can stay on for like 2 weeks or so on non stop without much heat issues as i DO have a table fan blowing at it plus a notebook base cooler (3 fans) so i guess it pretty much stays cool.

monty cantsin · #8 Post by **monty cantsin** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 5:15 pm

none wrote:I leave my T30 on for weeks at a time, with the battery taken out.

Very bad idea to remove the battery. Sudden power loss on TPs can cause the corruption of the EEPROM.

http://www.ja.axxs.net/unlock/crc_repair.htm

http://groups.google.de/groups?q=joe+cr ... com&rnum=6

none wrote:Works just fine... On the other hand, I DO have a damaged memory bank on it. It was caused by heat from the hard drive, but I am not sure if it being on all the time had anything to do with it. It's a common T30 problem.

Yes, common problem. Check your warranty status...

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... arranty.vm

...and even if your warranty may have run out, try to get IBM to replace the board. Btw, I have just been told these days from a reliable source that the problem is obviously caused by blue tape strips/foam rubber in the area of the hard drive. The glue that sticks on the mainboard will disintegrate over time and become conductive, resulting in a short circuit.

zzyss · #9 Post by **zzyss** » Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:44 am

I leave my ThinkPad "on" indefinitely. I have settings so that when I close the lid, it just goes into sleep mode (hard drives, etc. all off). I could probably go one step further and set it to hibernate, but I can't be bothered. In a bit over 1 year, I have had no problems. However, I have been told that this is probably bad for the battery, but since I almost never use the laptop unplugged anyway, this is not an issue.

Currently, battery life (after 1 year and 3 months) has gone from 47kWh to about 34kWh. Not bad, considering that batteries are only supposed to last 1 year.

nesen · #10 Post by **nesen** » Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:14 am

Indeed, I'd pay much much money for a battery with 34kWh

2500 hours of playing without recharging

SCNR

zzyss · #11 Post by **zzyss** » Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:51 pm

Ooops. hehehe... I meant Watt hours (Wh). Wasn't really thinking at the time of posting

However, I *do* have this 6000 cell battery for sale. It's about the size of a mini though, so not very portable

Leave Thinkpad On All The Time?

Leave Thinkpad On All The Time?

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