Dust is a major problem if you leave the cover off a computer. If you allow a
blanket of dust to form, then heat buildup can definitely be worse than with
the cover on. Fans are cheap nowadays, I think you should get an extra one.
On Tue, 24 Oct 2000 04:34, Adrian Smith wrote:
> >downsides of leaving it on all the time:
> >heat buildup (computer is enclosed & no air conditioner & live in the
>
> south *haha*)
>
> >solution -- good fans, take the cover off (that's what i do)
>
> Adam said:
> Not to be nitpicky or anything, but this is not always the best thing to
> do as good cases have been designed to maximize airflow and heat
> regulation when they are put together. In some cases the static nature
> of the surrounding air with the case off will actually cause the
> components, especially processors and hard drives, to become hotter than
> if the case were left on.
>
> me says: true enuf & good point. i overlooked that in my reply --
> probably because if you have a lower end (inexpensive) computer like me --
> the case was designed to stuff as much in as possible & keep the price
> down. what you say is most certainly true about the "good" stuff. =) my
> bad.
>
> >power surge or lightning strike (tho this could do damage even if it is
>
> turned off i suppose - just depends)
>
> >solution -- get a GOOD UPS or line filter. not one at walmart. my
>
> first IBM system was destroyed by lightning & a walmart line filter.
> also >protect your modem line. i have seen systems fried thru the phone
> line. sometimes your modem will be a fuse & protect the rest of your
>
> >system. sometimes i will not.
>
> Adam said:
> Even a good UPS will not protect equipment if the lightening strike is
> close enough, that's why most of the surge protectors/UPS's offer
> insurance on things hooked up to them. I worked at Underwriters
> Laboratories for awhile in their surge suppressor division. Lightning
> strikes, usually closer than three or four poles to your house will take
> out electronics unless you have some type of professional lightening
> arrestor installed outside your house.
>
> me says:
> also true enuf -- my surge protector also comes with the insurance. if
> things get really nasty outside i shut down & unplug.
>
> >downsides of turning it on / off as needed:
> >component failure is more likely to occure when powering up or down
> >note -- i don't really know how "true" this is.... i'm an electronic
>
> tech & i think about this & it could be true, but i don't have any
> research or >data to support it. it does seem possible however.
>
> I'm a little doubtful as to the claims that the on/off cycling really
> does significant harm.....,but a sudden 5V surge into some of the more
> delicate MOS chips could possibly, maybe, kinda do some damage in the
> long run. Although how many of us have seen ancient 386's and 486's
> that have been around forever still chuggin along just fine?
>
> me says:
> yes.... things like this are rather hard to support.... electronics is
> more like witchcraft than science. i have almost never used antistatic
> procedures in my life, and haven't detroyed anything yet.... i've seen
> circuits that work on paper & calculate just fine, yet will not function
> when actually built.... all in all, i think electronics are more reliable
> than we think. i've got an old 486 works just fine. not only that, but
> the hard drive in it actually caught on fire -- yes, flames were coming off
> of it -- bloody thing still works just fine. =)
>
>
>
>
> Adrian Smith
> 'de telepone dude
> Telecom Dept.
> x 7042
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
Sridhar Dhanapalan
"One World, One Web, One Programme" - Microsoft Promotional Ad.
"Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Fuhrer" - Adolf Hitler
