just wondering if anyone has an opinion on this question ??

is it better to shut down my computer every night or does it hurt anything by leaving it run in sleep mode when not using it ??

i am using XP MEDIA CENTER .

my previous computer developed timing issues from shutting down every day - just want to avoid that .thanks !!

That's an opinionated question...my opinion is that you can leave it on and it may be better for it. I try to stay away from sleep mode, as every now and again, it won't come out of sleep mode for whatever reason and I have to reboot by pressing the power button. I look at it this way: The computer parts are like a light bulb...when does a lightbulb blow? When you turn it on. Kind of like "Starting your car is the worst thing you can do".

The down side to leaving it on all the time is that it's constantly sucking up electricity, which means it'll increase your electric bill. On the flip side, you can make programs auto update/download and install in the middle of the night while you're sleeping, like your antivirus, etc. Just don't forget to set your monitor to turn off after being idle for XX amount of minutes (mines set for 20 minutes).

Again, just my humble opinion, I'm sure that others will chime in on this!

I'm basically in the same mind set. I leave it on most of the time. I turn my monitor off whenever I'm planning to be away frim it for a while. I also have it set to turn off after 20 mins. ( The monitor consumes 75% of the energy). I shut it down when I'm gone for the day or longer (fire safety). Have the updates d'load in middle of a weeknite . Usually Wed. as msft updates on Tues. I then reboot each morn or the first time I go to use it (clear the RAM and settles any updates).

I used to keep my computers on all night, but after I moved to Alabama, there are fast storms and power shortages all the time, so I turn off both of the computers when I go to bed.

I've had to much trouble with replacing power supplies do to stupid power surges...

My dad's friend told him once, that computers are like fans, running a fan is a motor, a motor decreases it's power after years of work.

That lightbulb idea applies as well.

As long as you don't have lightning storms or high humidity some form of sleep mode is enough. The of course there is the question of how you set it up.

I remember about reading an article about something related to this (in a way). A woman, I cant remember her name or where she was from, was able to save herself from thousands of pounds/dollars because she turned her computer off at at the plug also. Why? She had unknowingly been infected with a premium rate dialer. Just a point for turning off.

Me personally. I turn off just because im in the habit of turning things off when im done with them. Also because the humming does my head in at night. But i didnt consider how turning it off and on might damage the computer.